Author Topic: review: Margaret of Ashbury triology  (Read 1885 times)

Nessa

  • Administrator
  • Level 32
  • *****
  • Posts: 1918
  • Fell Points: 5
  • Giving life to demon spawn since 1999
    • View Profile
review: Margaret of Ashbury triology
« on: March 07, 2007, 04:37:23 PM »
see it here: http://www.timewastersguide.com/view.php?id=1512

Warning: Guys may not like these books. There is domesticity, romance, and childbirth. You may not find it interesting. But then, you just might.

Of course, I have my own copies should anyone wish to borrow them.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2007, 07:30:06 AM by Nessa »
"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter--'tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning."  -  Mark Twain

Check out my book reviews at http://elitistbookreviews.blogspot.com/

origamikaren

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 48
  • Fell Points: 0
  • The World is Quiet Here
    • View Profile
    • tiggywinkle
Re: review: Margaret of Ashbury triology
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2007, 07:16:50 AM »
I also really loved this series, and I'm excited to get my hands on Water Devil.  I've read Vision of Light several times, and Green Lion only once, so I think I'll have to read it again before I move forward.  I also really like the mood, setting and characters, and think that this book compares favorably with The Pillairs of The Earth by Ken Follett in that regard.  While Pillars of the Earth has more detail about politics and architecture, it also has a lot more detail about sex and rape, which makes Vision of Light look very tame.  To deal with that, I had to make my own personal expurgated version complete with torn out pages and scribbled out words and scenes, because I like to read the story. 

I also wanted to mention that for all their arguing, Margaret and Gregory have remarkably similar beliefs about the nature of God.  When Margaret had her Vision of Light, she essentially did successfully what Gregory was trying to do through a life of contemplation.  She was humble, she was physically weak, she was meditating on the nature of God, and was emptied of all that distracting sense of self.  Her "mind was blank and empty as an open grave."  In this state, she saw the light, and was overwhelmed by a feeling of ecstasy and felt like she was one with the universe.  This is textbook mysticism (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysticism especially the section titled Process).  Different characters in the book have different relationships with the God, but it was pretty clear to me what the authors views were on the subject. I was always a little annoyed with the way that Riley's consistant image of God didn't quite mesh with my own. (Now that you point it out, though, I can possibly believe that she was doing it as an artistic device to juxtapose Margaret's success with Gregory's failure within the tradition of the time, and that it may not be her own personal view.  I'll have to think about it.)

Anyway, I'm babbling.  I think people who like Historical Fiction, and don't mind a little  romance thrown in would like this book.  It has a lot to offer.
Check out my daily poetry selection and musings at http://karenspoetryspot.blogspot.com

-Karen

Nessa

  • Administrator
  • Level 32
  • *****
  • Posts: 1918
  • Fell Points: 5
  • Giving life to demon spawn since 1999
    • View Profile
Re: review: Margaret of Ashbury triology
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2007, 07:29:24 AM »
Different characters in the book have different relationships with the God, but it was pretty clear to me what the authors views were on the subject. I was always a little annoyed with the way that Riley's consistant image of God didn't quite mesh with my own. (Now that you point it out, though, I can possibly believe that she was doing it as an artistic device to juxtapose Margaret's success with Gregory's failure within the tradition of the time, and that it may not be her own personal view.  I'll have to think about it.)

Yes, exactly! I think that although Riley's bias flavors the story, she also tries very hard to be fair to everyone in the different ways people have faith and believe. The relgious aspect does influence the story some, but it really is mostly that, flavor, and simply makes everything/everyone more interesting.

I'm so glad to find another fan, that I'm not irrationally biased when it comes to these books.
"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter--'tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning."  -  Mark Twain

Check out my book reviews at http://elitistbookreviews.blogspot.com/