David A. Harding
Saturday, 13 Aug 2005
Recently I read three young adult books in rapid succession. They were: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Very Far Away from Anywhere Else, and The Annotated Hobbit. I had pre-ordered the Harry Potter several months ago, so it was no surprise when it turned up on my doorstep. The other two books were (separate) impulse purchases—it was not my intent to read so many young adult books at successively.
(Minor spoilers ahead)
I am disappointed in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Chief among the reasons for my disappointment is a lack of the wonder I felt in the earlier novels. The author tries the Hollywood trick of substituting surprise for wonder, but the result is a lack-luster suspense. Also disappointing is the—now thrice used—murder of a main character in the final chapters of the book. Death can be used as an excellent plot gimmick, motivating characters to do things they normally wouldn't, but nothing exciting happens here with the end of the book so near.
The writing in this Harry Potter book remains clear and strong. It is nice to see the characters and places I fell in love with again, even if the wonder has faded. I think, however, that I shall wait to read a review of Harry Potter 8 before I buy.
The second book I read, Very Far Away from Anywhere Else by Ursula LeGuin was surprising in several ways. First, it must be the smallest book, by count of words, that I own. A thick cover, 14pt text, and 1.5 line spacing attempt to hide this fact, but I was able to read the book in only two hours. What the book lacks in quantity it makes up in quality; this book spoke to me directly in a way a stack of Heinlein young adult books never did. I only wish I had discovered it when I was in Middle or High School.
The third and final book is the second edition of The Annotated Hobbit; annotated by Douglas Anderson. This book I will treasure probably for the rest of my life. It dives into the literary origins of The Hobbit, not necessarily Tolkien's Similarion, but rather the mythological origin of Dwarves, Trolls, and Goblins. The inclusion of long bits of epic poems like Beowulf and Voluspa with notes demonstrating the connection between them and a clearly footnoted part of Tolkien's work is wondrous. For example take this tiny bit of a (translated) Old Norse poem, the Voluspa:
``Then sought the gods -- their assembly-seats
The holy-ones -- and council held,
To find who should raise -- the race of dwarfs
Out of Brimir's blood -- and the legs of Blain.The was Motsognir -- the mightiest made
Of all the dwarfs -- and Durin next;
Many a likeness of -- of men they made,
The dwarfs in the earth -- as Durin said....
Nar and Nain -- Niping, Dain,
Bifur, Bofur -- Bombur, Nori
Vigg and Gandalf -- Vindalf, Thrain,
Thekk and Thorin -- Thror, Vit and Lit
...Fili, Kili -- Fundin, Nali
...
Dori, Ori -- Duf, Andvari''
The Annotated Hobbit heavily references other books and essays on Tolkien and his works. I appreciate this because I have, thus far, been unable to figure out what books to on Tokien are worth buying.
The book also has about 200 illustrations. All of Tolkien's original artwork for the book is included along with illustrations from artists around the world. Also, illustrations of the poems and stories that influenced Tolkien are included. For example, there is a colour reproduction of the post card that inspired Tolkien to create the character Gandalf. The whole book is fantastic stuff.