The Sinners and the Sea: The Untold Story of Noah’s Wife by Rebecca Kanner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Sinners and the Sea is the story of Noah’s wife, through her own voice. Whether or not one believes the literal truth of the flood story, one might ponder how Noah met his wife, what their relationships might have been with the sons she eventually bore, and their wives–and more so, from whence did Noah’s wife even come? What was her life like before Noah and the flood?
The Soldier of Raetia by Heather Domin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
During the reign of Caesar Augustus, Manlius Dardanus joins the legion at age 20. He is a shy, hesitant young man, unsure of his abilities and uncertain if he will fit in.
Domin skillfully makes the reader experience the training, and the emotions, of Dardanus and his new friends as they learn what it means to be a legionary. They bond as brothers in military service and in combat.
Dardanus is the youth in all of us, wherever we begin in life, hoping we can make someone proud, hoping we can find acceptance, hoping we can find our place. We are with him, as he is torn with inner conflict, as after his first battle he finds he does not relish the bloodletting performed by his brothers-in-arms.
Yet, Domin does not take her protagonist in what might be an easier route–Dardanus does not flee from duty or service in the legion. He remains true to his oath, and saves the life of his immediate superior, and that of his general. Eventually, he finds he truly has a place, one he earned through loyalty, intelligence, honesty and commitment.
What makes this book stand out is that it is not simply a “legion story” as many are. The scenes of fighting are well-written, not simply in the tactics or swordplay, but in the sights, sounds, and smells of battle. But more than all that, The Soldier of Raetia is a story of how the characters deal with each other, in trust, in honor, in ambition and in survival.
Well written and highly recommended.
Children of Apollo by Adam Alexander Haviaras
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The first half of this book spent a lot of time in the character’s introspection. Far more than expected, Lucius Metellus Anguis (the Dragon) pondered the desert, the battles, the motives of the commanders, and his own destiny or lack thereof. It felt odd for the beginning of a book, rather than the middle.
The latter half of the book however drew me in and kept me fascinated and waiting for more.
My dad Jerry died in February of 1975, the year before I graduated college. He and I had just begun the best relationship possible between a parent and child–that of becoming friends as adults. He missed my graduation, missed meeting the man I eventually married, missed seeing the births of our two fantastic sons, missed hearing them both play violin and flute, respectively. He missed so much of life that, to this day, it breaks my heart and brings me sorrow and regret.
But at the same time, I fervently and firmly believe that Jerry is somewhere watching, smiling, and quite possibly adding a nudge here or a hug there. I think just probably he did catch a few of those music recitals, and that he kept my children safe when neither I nor my husband could not be present.
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The other day I read a science fiction novel, set in a universe and culture of which I have been fond for a long time. After finishing, I reflected on just what particular element, if any, most appeals to me about this universe (and honestly others like it by different authors set in different worlds). The writing is always top-notch, the characters well-developed, complex, multi-layered. But one thing has always stood out for me–it may admittedly be a completely personal “Like.”
That element is what I have been calling “Transcendant acceptance.”
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The preceding post announces wonderful Giveaways celebrating the March 8 release of the HerStory anthology. This collection of twenty-seven short stories, including my very own, entitled “The Speech of Hortensia,” celebrates women throughout history.
Please take note, give a look and celebrate with us. Perhaps you will also buy the anthology–one for you, for your mother and aunts, your daughters, nieces–any women you know who inspire, support, and embrace everyone around them.
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Two Mothers I cherish
I am the product of two marvelous amazing mothers. I probably have had more maternal care through my life (a marvelous piano teacher and friend, a wonderful 4th grade teacher, various mentors and confidants).
But who I am, at my core, I credit to two particular women–my biological, and my adoptive, mothers.
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