Messages In This Digest (2 Messages)
- 1.
- BOOK REVIEW - A Discovery of Witches (Novel) From: gleason.mike@comcast.net
- 2.
- Xtian Language Perpetuates Abuse/Liberating Ministers - this week on From: Karen Tate
Messages
- 1.
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BOOK REVIEW - A Discovery of Witches (Novel)
Posted by: "gleason.mike@comcast.net" gleason.mike@comcast.net
Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:14 pm (PST)
A Discovery of Witches (Novel) by Deborah E. Harkness © 2011 Viking Adult ISBN: 978-0-14-311968-5 581 Pages Paperback $16.00 Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-670-02241- 0 $28.95 Kindle Edition $9.99
This is the first book in a projected trilogy (the second book, Shadow of Night , is due out in the summer of 2012). Bearing this in mind, I anticipated that this book would be heavy on setting things up for what was to come, as well as establishing our interest in the characters and story.
If you're a Witch from New England Diana Bishop's ancestry immediately explains a lot. Bridget Bishop (on her mother's side) and John Proctor (on her father's side) were both executed as Witches during the Salem Witchcraft hysteria of 1692. In the common mind (and even among Witches who should know better) it is assumed that those executed were actually Witches. In point of fact, those individuals who confessed to being Witches lost all their property and got tossed of the Massacusetts Bay Colony. Many of them ended up in Rhode Island. Those who denied they were Witches were the ones who got tried and, in some cases, executed. Nonetheless, the belief continues, thus providing a starting point for Diana's ancestry and abilities.
Ms Harkness has daemons, vampires, and even witches as being something other than human, but less than supernatural, which is an interesting take on the entire subject. Her vampires don't burst in flame in daylight, nor do they have fangs. They do have acute hearing and exceptionally long life spans. Her witches have precognitive abilities. Daemons and vampires and witches, oh my!
Her world is populated by four types of beings: humans and witches are born from other humans and witches. Vampires make vampires. Daemons are born to humans, no one today knows why or how. It makes for an interesting world view. Everyone has prejudices – vampires have little use for anyone else, humans distrust (even hate) the other classes of beings without even being able to detect them easily; witches distrust humans and consider daemons to be basically a criminal underclass; daemons feel like everyone is out to get them.
I have been hoping for another author who could approach the magickal world with the same ability that J. K. Rowling did – the ability to make it seem, if not common-place, at least plausible. It appears that Professor Harkness has that ability. Even though I have never been to Oxford, nor even read much about it, she brings the locale to life. Her characters, although stretching the boundaries of what you would expect to find, are not caricatures or stereotypes. They are people you might bump into in any academic environment.
All is not as it seems in this unusual world. Each class of "creature" normally associates only with others of its own kind, but Matthew Clairmont (vampire) is acting to protect Diana Bishop (witch) from those of other classes (or is he?). Diana is threatened by other witches, and references are made to the death of her parents, and how they may not have been the victims of fearful humans. Through all of this Diana is attempting to distance herself from her magickal heritage and steadfastly attempting to avoid using her innate powers.
Like most well-written novels this one sucks you into its universe by little steps. You don't notice it at first, but gradually you find yourself believing that what you are reading could very well be happening. Maybe not in your town, but perhaps in the next town over; not in your university, but perhaps at Oxford; not to people you know, but to those you might bump into on the street or friends of friends. You become reluctant to stop reading. I, at least, kept making "deals" with myself – just another 10 pages, and then I'll do the dishes...okay another five after that...and...
Long before I reached the midpoint of the book, I had given up trying to anticipate what was coming next, I was simply being swept along with the tide of the story. There is no question about Professor Harkness' ability to make the past come alive. She is, after all, a Professor of History at the University of Southern California.
This IS an adult novel, so it is not all sweetness and light. There are hunting scenes (vampire versus animal), and acts of cruelty between members of the same species which, if you have an active imagination, will leave you cringing in your seat. On the flip side, there is sensuality (and sexuality) although it is not a dominant theme.
As I entered the last 10% of the book the unanswered questions began to pile up, as did the unexpected sub-plots, but I was anticipating that. This is the first part of a trilogy, after all, and if all the questions were answered, there would be no incentive to pick up the next book. Diana discovers a number of innate talents, and secrets about herself that she had never suspected; she discovers what it is to love so fiercely that you would kill to protect your lover, and what it is to love so deeply that you would die to save that same lover.
When it comes time, unexpected allies are found, commitments are made, and an escape is made which SHOULD make it difficult for their enemies to find them (not impossible, merely difficult)
This book appealed to me on multiple levels, from that of the mundane reader to that a Witch. There were parts which I wished hadn't been included (some of the "Hollywood" witch stuff), but there were far more that I enjoyed seeing. Obviously disconnected from the reality of the Craft world, it was still an enjoyable book. I am eagerly awaiting the second volume in this trilogy.
- 2.
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Xtian Language Perpetuates Abuse/Liberating Ministers - this week on
Posted by: "Karen Tate" karentate108@ca.rr.com specialjourn
Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:44 pm (PST)
Greetings Friends,
/*Tonight on Voices of the Sacred Feminine.....*/
Jeanette Clancy on *Christian Language that Perpetuates Sex Abuse &
Male Dominance*.....
followed by
Jann Aldredge Clanton discussing her newest book *Changing Church -
Stories of Liberating Ministers*
If you'd like to get notice of weekly guests, it's best to click the
FOLLOW button for the show to get timely updates -- or catch shows later
from the archives. You can do either by going to this link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ voicesofthesacre dfeminine
<http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ >voicesofthesacre dfeminine
Did you miss some recent shows? Catch past shows from the archives!
1/25 - Zohara Hieronimous - Kabbalistic Teachings of the Female
Prophets & Sanctuary of the Divine Presence
*Starhawk* - The Empowerment Manual: A Guide for Collaborative Groups.
2/2 - Sacred Salon/Ritual on the Radio w/Karen Tate
2/16 - Prof. Doug Cowan - The Quest for Transcendence
in Sci-Fi Film and Television
Donna Hennes - Woman Power - Claim It! Embrace It! Use It!
2/23 - Greg Garrett - Spirituality Behind the Harry Potter Series
Emmanuel Itier - Producer of the up-coming film, Femme
Karen Tate
www.karentate.com
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___________________________________________________________________________
�` Earthwise �`
<:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::]]======0
The Worldwide Spirit of Paganism
in Australia, America & Worldwide!
Take a Look at Our Huge EBay Store
For all your Magickal & Ritual Supplies
http://stores.ebay.com.au/Astarte-Earthwise
___________________________________________________________________________
This Earthwise Book of Shadows group holds the expectation
that a tolerant, mature and respectful dialogue be strived
for in our communications with each other. Members are
encouraged to challenge anyone not adhering to these
principles and to notify the list owner Astarte if you are
offended by a posting, write to me at
earthwise@bigpond.com
Thank you.
___________________________________________________________________________
Earthwise is a world wide group.
We are based in Bolwarra, NSW. Australia.
Located in the beautiful Hunter Valley where we hold sacred rituals, workshops, social events and outings, for more information see our calendar of events at Witches Meetup
http://www.meetup.com/earthwise/
___________________________________________________________________________
Astarte also works full time as a Psychic Counsellor, Medium,
Clairvoyant, Healer and Teacher.
If she can be of assistance to you, please see her home page at
www.earthwise.net.au
___________________________________________________________________________
ARE YOU CREATIVE?
Astarte is always sourcing new suppliers of quality pagan
related items, to purchase wholesale or even put on consignment,
she willing to purchase worldwide items for the Earthwise Store.
If you have something of interest please contact Astarte
earthwise@bigpond.com
___________________________________________________________________________
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