I have discovered another book series to which I have become addicted but which I am still trying to decide what I think of the books themselves. It is one of those curious situations wherein you want to know what happens next and find the world, characters, plot, writing or some combination thereof intriguing but are not quite sure what to make of the whole. I have the same feelings towards the writings of G.K. Chesterton and George MacDonald, I love their writing in general but either their work is so far above me or I am not exactly certain what they are trying to say that I have a hard time saying if a certain book is among my favorites or not. Phantastes intrigues me but is it on my favorite list? The Man Who Was Thursday is a great but confounding read; I am not sure what to think.
In this particular case I speak of the 'Tales of Goldstone Wood' books by Anne Elizabeth Stengl, of which the first book is Heartless. She is an excellent writer, her world is rich and beautiful, some of her characters are annoying and others endearing (just like real people), but there is something about this series that confounds me. The first book does not fit very well with the rest of the series and has a theological/literary flaw* that has bugged me for a time, but the author mentions on her blog that this work is highly allegorical and her later books have improved significantly on this point. There is also a bit too much mystery in the books, after reading the first half dozen books through I can look back and make more sense of things, but for a first time reader, things are often frustratingly foggy. A little mystery, foreshadowing etc, are essential to a good read but there was enough here to frustrate even a seasoned reader of the genre! But then I do tend to be a bit impatient when it comes to 'what is going on' so this may be a personal flaw rather than a foible of the writer. But perhaps the thing that frustrates me the most is not really a failing on the part of the writer but of epic fantasy itself.
She has good characters and I want to know more about these characters, but there is so much going on that there isn't as much room for character exploration as I would like. I have the same complaint with the Lord of the Rings. I really want to know what happens after the ring is destroyed and everybody has to go on with their lives, but all we get is a little blurb that so and so did whatever and then it is over. I want to know what the characters felt, thought, and experienced not just the cold historical facts. Besides these two minor complaints, I have really enjoyed these books and look forward to the next installment in the series. If the worst I can say is that she mystifies me at times and I want to know more about her characters, I suppose these are not failings at all but rather flaws in my character as a reader: I must cultivate patience is what it all boils down to and her books are good enough to keep me hooked.
It was also interesting to note which books have influenced her, I thought I caught hints of C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, The Last Unicorn, and "The Hound of Heaven." She did not mention this on her blog, but I also wonder if the sixth book in the series doesn't have a little Star Trek influence (no, not the technology but rather the main evil minds me of a major villain in the sci-fi series and her flouting the laws of time is also suggestive, but this is all a theory). No wonder I like these books, she seems to be the modern heir to some of my favorite writers. I must also admit that I have imbibed her works in a drunken binge (trying to satiate my 'what happens next' addiction). I have not savored them as one should a fine work, but rather consumed them quickly in a short period of time. I plan a leisurely second read and perhaps that will settle once and for all my conundrums with this series. It takes a good book to get me to read like an addict, so chances are good these will end up on my favorite book list.
*The first book portrays the Christ figure pursuing a mortal woman as his bride, the allegory is appropriate and beautiful, but as the foundation for a series, it jarred me that one particular girl in all the history of the worlds could be united thus with the Creator, from a theological standpoint it made little sense. The Church is the Bride of Christ (that is all believers throughout the ages) so how could one frail mortal girl stand in for millions? What about the rest of us? If this were a stand alone book and solely an allegory, it would be fine, but as the corner stone for a series it made little sense. After the first book we hear hardly a mention of the character and it feels as if she were locked away in some closet somewhere like a crazy uncle never to be seen again. Besides for this little snafu, the series is well thought out and put together and I look forward to seeing where it goes from here.
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