This is the final in the O trilogy. Strange though it may seem I have not read the others. I read Maurice Gee books several years ago and thought them not to be holiday reading. The Fat Man, and Under the Mountain are my only experiences of this author. His content is usually dark and portrayed with great skill, so good that one can get caught up in the world of the book.
I thought I'd try again. I felt weighed down as I read this story because the atmosphere is close to terrifying. When the reading was completed I felt battered. This is not an insult. It is a compliment to the author and a warning to readers.
I'm sure there have been great discussions about whether his work is suitable for children. I think I'd be careful with his children's books. They are definitely quality literature but the atmosphere in this book is very heavy and serious throughout. There is love, humour, a lot of risk taking and a lot of evil.
Susan has been called back to O to help save a girl waiting to be killed by the priests who claim to follow Susan. The companions are weird and wonderful but also similar to our own fauna.
Communication through thought pictures is how the animals talk but they do not get on usually.
Gee's descriptions are not the long winded type. As I've said already he is so good that you enter the atmosphere of the world he is describing.
Not for light reading but perhaps holidays are the best time to read Maurice Gee. After you finish you can get out into the sun and smile again.
Better than Harry Potter and I think they are good.
No comments:
Post a Comment