Abbey Books

I too have an amateurish interest in mediaeval culture. So, Jocelin's chronicle of events at the abbe of Bury St.Edmunds is like experiencing time travel without all the electronic gizmos. I do agree that you must not expect any great insights, or even much text, dedicated to the Christian faith; however, much insight will be gleaned via this chronicle into the abby's dedication to profit via taxes and an unbelievable >scourge< of strange, esoteric taxes-of-the-time. And above all this, and administrating it, was Abbot Samson, well recorded for history by Jocelin. His account reaffirms the overwhelming materalism of the abbe. It is difficult for me to read that a century before there had been major reforms in Benedictine Rule. One concludes that before reform, ecclesiatical conduct must have been somewhat to the left of whoopee.

Jocelin of Brakelond was a monk at the powerful, influential, and internationally famous Abbey of Bury St Edmund's. This was certainly no isolated institution like those on the Irish coast for the monks owned and controlled the extensive town, market, mills, hospitals, and inns that surrounded the Abbey's walls (pg ix). Because of the economic importance of the abbey, Jocelin is concerned inordinately with the expenses and costs and incomes of annual rents and tolls. The abbot acted as the King's viceroy for the East Anglia and frequently went to the king's court. The events in Jocelin's chronicle center pertain primarily to the election of a new abbot for the monastery the elaborate process in obtaining one. From this vantage point means Jocelin pays the greatest attention to what when on inside the community rather than the more "world-shaking" events outside (pg x).

The introduction does a wonderful job explaining the importance of Bury St Edmunds, the abbey's role in the town, the history and importance of the Abbey's patron saint St Edmunds and his shrine, and Jocelin's portrayal of Abbot Samson (the primary focus of this account). The Chronicle itself is written clearly, sometimes quoting official documents, and deals with external events only when they directly pertain to the abbey (for example, King John's visit in 1199). Sadly, as in most of the Oxford World's Classics that I have read the author's Latin and the surviving manuscripts of the text (normally a key parts of primary source introductions) are only given a cursory and unsatisfactory examination.

This Oxford World Classics Edition is well endowed with useful tools. The Explanatory notes are extensive and very helpful in understanding unusual words (letes, suits, hidages etc), phrases (at blood-letting time), people (H. and R. of Ingham), and historical events not fully explained by the chronicler (the Flemings...outside the town). There is also a helpful chronology of Jocelin's Narrative, a wonderful introduction, and a map of the city of Bury St Edmunds and the Abbey (the only map missing is a map of England at the time).

This is a must buy for anyone interested in medieval monasteries but be prepared for a rather uneventful chronicle. Thankfully, the lack of action is more than made up by the immense detail that Jocelin uses to describe the daily life, administration, and concerns and worries of the monks, the interaction of the monastery with the surrounding areas, and the influence of the English king on abbey elections.

Jocelin of Brakelond, one of the monks of the abbey of Bury St. Edmunds, allows us a glimpse into the life of a religious community between 1173 and 1202. He chronicles such events as the death of one abbot to the election of a new one, the fiscal affairs of the abbey, a fire that threatens the shrine to St. Edmund, and the politics and tensions of life as a monk dealing not only with other monks, but with townsfolk, the Jewish quarter, knights, the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the King.

I was impressed with just how enmeshed the religious community was in the affairs of the surrounding towns and in the politics of the country as a whole: controlling the markets, collecting monthly fees from every town, serving as the courts for disputes, sending knights to fight with the King. Looking at churches and abbeys now, we think of them only as places of worship, but back in medieval times, they were a large part of the community, affecting the prosperity of towns and cities. Jocelin's chronicle does a fine job of relating how everything co-existed during medieval times.

For anyone interested in medieval or religious history, this is a fascinating chronicle.

I stumbled upon this little volume in a used book store and, as I've an amateurish interest in mediaeval culture, decided to buy it. Written by a monk of the Abbey of Bury St Edmunds (in Suffolk, England) in the 12th century, it narrates various happenings in that monastery over a period of about 30 years.

There is no overriding narrative here. The author - Jocelin of Brakelond by name - seems to have simply jotted things down when the fancy took him. Most of what he records pertains to the politics - internal and external - of the monastery, and with financial matters : there is one amusing section where he records the fees paid to the monastery by knights of the district. Those looking for spiritual exhortation or insight into monastic religion should look elsewhere.

Though the events of the monastery are not exactly of earth-shattering importance, the book does give one a fascinating view into mediaeval life at the time. Jocelin himself is a wise old character whose observations of his fellow monks are carefully weighed and perceptive. He does not shrink from relating the drama and discord surrounding elections within the monastery. And in the background of the community's life we see the Kings of England (who on a few occasions come to visit), the life of the surrounding town, and in the distance the waging of the Third Crusade.

The most interesting part of the book to me was the account of the fire at the shrine of St. Edmund, and of the subsequent translation of the body and examination of the corpse (by then about 300 years old and still, apparently, incorrupt). I found it a real delight.

I dug up my old copy of this book at my Father's house where it has been moldering in the basement for the last 20 years. Out of curiosity, I brought it back with me to Holland because I had the notion that I remembered it.

Funny how *well* I remembered it. As I turned the pages, I could clearly remember what I was reading and had a sense of what was coming next. Rifkind is a loner in a tribe of loners-- outcast from her desert tribe, she turns to her goddess to help her find her destiny.

I'm not sure how well it holds up over time (my real review is something more like 3.5 stars) but there was a fair amount to hold an adult's interest, just like there was enough to hold that of a teenager. Some of the aspects feel visionary in light of the fiction that came after this book and others simply fall flat.

Worth reading if you can find it.

Unfortunately I have not read this book in too long. However, it has been one of my favorites, and I have read it many times. It's a fabulous book and I've always been unhappy that there werent more sequels. Lyn Abbey brought a new world, a new magic system to life, as she does so well, and characters that are believable and act true to their nature. It seems to be a flaw of hers (the wooden sword, beneath the web) that she gets me going and then wont write the rest of the sequels! any of these books is worth an eddings like string of sequels to further develop the world. my one complaint is that lynn abbey doesnt write more!

I read this book many!!! years ago and regret I ever loaned it to a friend. (they never returned it) It took me a long time to ever find it again as it is out of print. I think this is her best work and there should be more writers with her talent

Let me explain my enthusiasm. In some ways I want to give this book five stars, and in others, two, because some elements of it were absolutely fantastic (the culture-building) while others made me wince (some of the characters are quite stereotypical, as is the lack of "fill"). Abbey always seems to write unforgettable stuff, though, and she has with this book. There are components of swordplay, magic, and gritty realism that is lacking in much of today's fantasy, or else poorly done, that make it a refreshing change-of-pace. She successfully creates a world you can believe in, but almost seems to place random characters within it that are acted upon, rather than act out of personal and true-to-life motivation. On the other hand, her characters don't do anything out of sync with their personalities, although this indeed may be part of the problem (again, stereotypes). For all of this, Daughter of the Bright Moon is a rare and interesting find certainly worthy of any avid fantasy-reader's attention.

I just can't get over how realistic Emma is. Her mother is an idiot, her lover is a ghost. She gets talked into doing all kinds of things she knows she shouldn't and really doesn't want to do. But she brings us along.

I'm always waiting for the next one. While you're waiting try some of Abbey's other books. You'll love them.

Fifty years ago, Emma Merrigan's mother Eleanor abandoned her newborn baby and her husband and it is only recently that they reconciled. Both Emma and Eleanor are hunters, going into the wasteland to destroy curses and rogues (giant curses). Eleanor was imprisoned by powerful curses and upon returning to the mundane world, she could pass as Emma's daughter. The immortal hunters never age as they possess the power to appear younger even though Emma chooses to look her real age of fifty.

The two women take a Caribbean cruise hoping to bridge the breach that exists between them but Emma has a headache most of the time. She sees a cursed woman on the wait staff, a person who has seen the atrocities committed in Serbia. Emma has the ability to plunge through time and stop a curse before it begins. When she gets off the boat she does exactly that and finds a young boy without an adult to take care of him since Emma took away his primary caretakers in order to end the curse. He is either a hunter or a rouge but either way he sets up a loop that prevents Emma from returning to her own time and she must hope that someone from the mundane world come into the wasteland looking for her to guide her home.

DOWN TIME is an interesting urban fantasy featuring a heroine who is smart enough to know she doesn't have all the answers and is savvy enough to listen to people who have more of them. The wastelands are an interesting place, a barren dimension with a magnetic sky where curses and rogues abound. Emma is obsessed with destroying as many as she can to make the world a better place. Lynn Abbey is a spectacular urban fantasist.

Harriet Klausner

Emma Merrigan woke up in the night terrified the night before her library director, Gene Shonneker, gave his resignation. Now she knows why. The new director appears to be planning to do some major shakeups. She's putting in more hours than she cares to think.

"You look horrible," her mother, Eleanor, who's used the magic of her _wyrd_ to remove her own aging and looks more like a college co-ed than the mother of a 50-year-old daughter states. "You need a vacation. I'll pay for a Carribean cruise."

Things only get worse from there. I imagine the Beach Boys' "Sloop John B" playing....

First verse, I'm sharing a cabin with my mother--who looks and dresses like my daughter--and I'm responsible for her, too!

Second verse, there's food everywhere and I'm getting fatter and fatter!

Third verse, my waitress is cursed and I can't get to _audela_ to help her because of some stupid rule about going to the Netherlands to moot curses when you're moving.

Fourth verse, migraines--bad meds, too much food, sun, and Calypso music.

Fifth verse, can't sleep and manage to be just at the spot to see a crew member effected by the curse take a dive.

And on and on....

There is some hope for Emma and the storyline. Once she finally gets off the ship, her mother Eleanor takes her to the Atlantis curia to get help for her eye. (I think that was Verse 7) I'm really hoping the future storylines will include more about this group.

I have to agree that I too love these books. I can only conclude that Lynn Abbey wanted to write a cruise off on her income tax as research for a book but didn't have a very good time.

Emma, whose life is not going well mainly because her job as a librarian is under seige with shakeups in management, agrees to go on a cruise with her mother. Then she is talked into driving all the way to Florida. After they are on the ship she drinks both red wine and champagne-- bad idea for a migraineur! At their first port of call, she and her mother get lost. Emma's headache gets worse-- Arrgh, a migraine in the tropics! And I recognized those red pills that the author gave her. They are incredibly ineffective. No wonder it was taking her days to shake it. Come into the 21st Century Em!

Things continue to go downhill. Souvenirs are tacky, there's an employee with a curse on board, Emma witnesses a suicide, there's food 24 hours a day every day. And that headache keeps coming back. Then just when it seems they are going to get to spend a few fun days at the world of the mouse, fate strikes again. Oh yes, fate also has them driving through Atlanta on the interstate.

Abbey seems to be losing her focus on the story arc but for Emma's fans (would can sympathize with the fact that given tremendous power she removes the gray from her hair) this is an interesting few days in her life.

This book is WONDERFUL! I'm almost at 1 year sober, after reading this book I felt like I hadn't worked the 6 & 7 steps properly and didn't understand the way they should be worked. I recommend this book to ANYONE in recovery.

If you're in recovery, this is a great, great read. It takes a hard and quick look at this most elusive of steps.

The BB tells us that 'alcohol was but a symptom of our disease.' If that's the case, how do we change the balance? We now have a happy liver. How do we get a happy soul?

This book is the real deal. Highly recommended. I can't give it more than 5 stars but it deserves more.

This is a great "quick reader". If anyone is totally aware that they have a character defect and wants to make a change in their life, this book really helps on spiritual level.

I've had a character defect for a long time, knew about it, wanted to take the necessary steps to make it better, but procrastinated HUGE!

This little book provides that one thing we all need - SELF ESTEEM and the tools necessary to change our lives for the better.

We must all remember.... once you turn it over to the Lord, it's amazing the path he has paved for you.

Drop the Rock focuses on learning how to live life on life's terms without carrying around the "rock" of character defects. Based on 12-Step recovery processes, the book goes further into detail ways to live Steps 6 & 7. A great tool for anyone in recovery!

The strength of the book is Maude's hands-on experince, which he uses to illuminate a lot of material. The book could be a bit clearer in places, and could use some labelled diagrams. He does not cover the structural aspects in detail (see the very difficult The Stone Skeleton for that) but explains a lot of stuff I haven't found elsewhere (what for instance is a 'rood'.)

An excellent book about the history and construction of medieval churchs,abbeys,and cathderals.

The author , a working stone mason who has worked on the repair and restoration of these ancient buildings,gives insights into the development and technical details that went into creating these masterpieces.

The author's admiration for these builders is reflected in his discussion of the problems they encountered and how they arrived at solutions to create these masterpieces which have been handed down to our modern generation.

In additon, he also gives valuable insights into the history of the ancients times based on his intimate knowledge of the work undertaken by the builders.

The book is well illustrated with discriptive captions and is easily understood by the layman reader. I would highly recommend this book to any one who is interested in the medieval churchs and cathedrals of Britain.

Even though the book is very nice and recommendable, it does not go into too much details. What I liked the most is that Mr. Maude covers some aspects in the design of the cathedrals and churches hardly to find in other books related to mediaeval architecture. I would recommend this book for someone looking for learning the basics and one who appreciates the religious lifestyle that prevailed at that time as an important factor for the design and construction of this sort of buildings. The explanations given by Mr. Maude concerning the physics used by the master builders to understand the behavior of walls, flying buttresses, arches, and other construction elements are very easy to follow. Definitely this is a book for a person who has just started into this wonderful subject of medieval construction.

Unlike so many books that I have read about churches and cathedrals, one will not need to keep an architectural dictionary or a reference book on the medieval church nearby as one reads. This will enhance both tours of the buildings and further reading. I will definitely keep this in my permanent collection.

Thomas Maude is a British stone-mason, and his love for his craft and the buildings that his fellow masons produced adds to the pleasure of reading.

The text is very well written, thorough and logically arranged. Maude works his way through the main structure of a cathedral, church or cloister in a way that is easy to follow and accompanied by well-chosen illustrations. He begins with Norman building styles and follows carefully through the developments in Gothic architecture. He explains the various types of building materials available in Britain, the daily offices of worship, the changing uses of various parts of the building (weddings used to be on the church porch, for example.)

The photography is all in black and white, except for the cover, and is generally very good with many excellent detail shots.

Extremely informative and a delight to read.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Of course, as a couple of the other comments pointed out, this book is not an in-depth presentation of life in a trappist monastery. But it is not pretending to be such a thing. This book gives a nice taste of life in the monastery for a monk and for a retreatant. You get just enough of the taste of the history of this monastery to whet your appetite for more.
If you're interested in more, the author has a large, photo-illustrated history of Gethsemani. There are other books on trappist monasteries as well. If you've ever been to Gethsemani and had the pleasure to hear Fr. Matthew's evening talks, you'll want to look for some of the books of his writings. Matthew Kelty is his name.

Also, I have read another book in this same series (A Week Inside) on a Buddhist Monastery. Very very interesting. As with Making a Heart for God, it gives you enough of a taste of Buddhism, the monastery itself and a retreat inside the monastery to whet your appetite for more.

I hope to find more books in this series.

I don't know that this would be a very good description for
"Making a Heart for God." I see it more as a glimpse at what
life is like at the Abbey of Gethsemani. It is bits and pieces
of what the author has seen and heard while on retreat. It is
something to give the reader just a taste of what the life must
be like for the monks. As such, it told me quite a bit. If I
would want more, I would most likely look for something written
by a monk who lives in such an abbey. That would be more likely
to have the details about day to day life.

I am an afficionado of books about monasteries and convents and the contemplative life in general. As such I was excited about getting an indepth look at the Trappist Abbey, Gethsemani. Unfortunately it was a much more simplistic description of abbey life than I had expected. Except for the detailed and good description of lectio divina, the text was pretty superficial. I especially hoped to find explanations of how 25 disparate men could learn to live together peaceably over the long term. The book told me that this was indeed a challenge for folks who have committed to never leaving, but the author never got into the kinds of interactions that moved the monks toward unity and those that disrupted the process. I was disappointed.

Making a Heart for God by Dianne Aprile surprised me, delighted me. I was expecting an in-depth day-by-day look at a monk's week, the perspective being from a lay person (albeit a person with much experience at the Abbey of Gethsemane) looking in on a religious person's life. And that is what I got but, oh, so much more! "A Week Inside" includes a look at the retreatants at the Abbey as well, as their days intertwine with the schedule of prayer and work that is the mainstay of Cistercian life. From her arrival to her departure, I felt as if I was following Aprile around the monastery, talking to monks and retreatants, praying the liturgical hours, keeping silence at the appropriate times, learning more and more about Benedictine spirituality. Her focus on a few brothers in particular was heart-warming, and showed the stuff of which they are made - flesh and blood, heart and soul - like the rest of us. I was as reluctant to finish the book as she was to leave the Abbey! Note: Aprile includes the daily schedule of Gethsemane as well as a lenghty list of monasteries and abbeys that welcome retreatants.

As she has done twice before (see A KNIGHT LIKE NO OTHER and ONE KNIGHT STAND) Queen Eleanor d'Aquitaine visits St. Jude's Abbey seeking specialized assistance, a female bodyguard. Lady Mallory de Saint-Sebastian is the chosen one to join the Queen's guard as her archery is by far the best of those residing in the special abbey.

Mallory is taken aback with the backstabbing and betrayal of those claiming allegiance to Queen Eleanor at her misnamed "Court of Love". One of them takes it a step further trying to assassinate Her Highness. Mallory risks her life to keep Eleanor safe. The Queen also asks Mallory to teach her ladies in waiting how to use a bow, but the frivolous females think that is a man's job and only go through the motions so as to avoid Eleanor's wrath. Mallory also notices lute playing Saxon Fitz-Juste, who seems a lot more than just a traveling jongleur; she plans to find out if he is a threat to her responsibility though deep down she hopes not because she finds him so very attractive.

The third Ladies of St. Jude's Abbey novel is a delightful historical romance with the emphasis on the court intrigue of the era. The story line is action-packed from the moment that Queen Eleanor selects Lady Mallory and never slows down until the final confrontation between the heroine and Saxon. Readers will enjoy the reaction of the male bodyguards to the hiring of a female to join their ranks as Jocelyn Kelly provides another fabulous twelfth century tale.

Harriet Klausner

Queen Eleanor d'Aquitaine goes to St. Jude's Abbey in England for a third time. Sister/Lady Mallory de Saint-Sebastian is the best archery person within the abbey. Mallory will be the sister of St. Jude's Abbey to serve the queen and join her pantheon of heroines.

The two King Henrys (father and son) battle to see which one rightfully holds the English throne and controls the destinies of all who live within their realm. Queen Eleanor is residing at her court in Poitiers. There are times when Queen Eleanor's guards cannot be with her. For those times, she needs a lady who can protect her. Therefore, Lady Mallory becomes part of the queen's personal household guards.

Queen Eleanor's "Court of Love" is anything but what the title describes. The court overflows in subterfuge, gossip, and betrayal. When the queen's life is in danger, Mallory and her bow are there. Thus the queen requests that Mallory teach archery to her ladies. Of course Mallory obeys, but none of the queen's ladies are serious about it. They prefer to flirt with any man nearby. So Mallory finds herself protecting the queen, dealing with sappy ladies, and wondering just what Saxon Fitz-Juste is really up to. He may really be a jongleur, playing a lute and captivating people with his tales, but something does not sit quite right.

***** Each book is a story in itself. This tale is full of drama and kept me wondering who Mallory could possibly trust in the court of snakes. The history of this knightly era makes a perfect back ground for the characters. The author keeps history straight, never bending it to her own whim, and this makes it so believable. Whether you love history, historical romances, or simply high drama, this book is made just for you! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

St. Jude's Abbey is no ordinary Abbey. Here young women are trained to be warriors. Mallory de Sainte-Sebastian has been trained within the Abbey walls and is a formidable archer. When she is called upon to serve the Queen, Mallory gladly does so. Assigned to protect and guard Queen Eleanor during the revolt against King Henry, Mallory works to uncover enemies surrounding the Queen.

Saxon Fitz-Juste is surprised by the Queen's choice of warrior. Mallory is not at all what the royal court's troubadour expected. Her fighting skills are amazing and impressive. Her beauty alluring and irresistible. Saxon appears to be as concerned for Queen Eleanor's safety as Mallory. And he also appears to be more than just a troubadour.

Mallory and Saxon's desire draws them together. But the danger at the royal court is increasing. And Mallory soon learns that with the Queen's life on the line, she can trust no one. Not even Saxon.

I love a kick-butt heroine and did not expect to find one in a medieval romance. I was astounded to see one in Moonlit Knight! Mallory is a warrior in every sense of the word. I was afraid that her strength would over-shadow Saxon, but thankfully that was not the case. His secrets and intrigue made him every bit as strong a character. A true match for Mallory!

If you enjoy medieval romances for the palace intrigue and steamy romance, you'll love Moonlit Knight. If you wish the heroines in medieval romance had more depth and were a greater part of the action, you'll adore Moonlit Knight. Mallory and Saxon are steamy, smart and totally able to defend themselves and others. It was exciting, thrilling and very romantic! Jocelyn Kelley has renewed my love of medieval romance with her unusual, but brilliant, perspective.

Annabelle
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This novel has the intriguing concept of a female knight. I thought immediately of the great "Fires of Winter" by Johanna Lindsay, which features the Celtic swordswoman Brenna. Alas, this novel cannot compare. It gets off to a good start but soon takes a wrong turn.
There is nothing wrong with the character of Mallory, the heroine; she is indeed a kick-[...] warrior. However, we are offered glimpses of various characters, such as Queen Eleanor of Aquitane and the hero's brother Goddard, only to have these characters dismissed after a few sentences. They are supposed to play an important part in the narrative, but the author just shuffles them off as soon as they have served their purpose, and they never become real characters. Other cardboard characters include the hero's father, Mallory's rival Lady Elita and a couple of other disposable knights.
Also, Saxon, the hero, is full of disdain for Mallory when he first sees her-we're talking serious dislike. We are expected to believe that the very next time he sees her, his attitude completely changes and he goes ga-ga over her. While this sort of conflicted relationship is typical of romance novels, it is usually accomplished with a little more grace. Saxon's attitude goes from one extreme to the other and never switches back at all. In fact, Saxon is so enamored of Mallory that he conveniently appears around every corner to save her. There isn't much real suspense, as we know that every time Mallory breaks a nail, Saxon will be there with an emery board to file it off. And sadly, the love scenes remind me of something from a teen romance novel (only more expicit, of course!)
I applaud the author for writing about a woman warrior, but the overall effort is lacking in maturity.

I particularly like this version for the Biographical Notice of The Author written in 1817 after the death of Jane Austen.The writer of these notes (Chapman??) praises her as never harshly judging another person. My opinion is that she lets her characters speak for themselves-good or not so good.Also thought the last line very interesting as it gives insight into the religious thought of the times "and her opinions accorded strictly with those of our Established Church"

This edition contains both Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

Northanger Abbey is quickly becoming not only my favorite Jane Austen novel but my favorite novel. It is the story of Catherine Morland, who has read perhaps too many novels. She is taken to Bath by her friends, the Allens, and there she meets Mr. Henry Tilney and his sister Miss Tilney. She is very eager when invited to stay with them at their home, Northanger Abbey, and she interprets everything that happens there in light of the many Gothic novels she has read. In Northanger Abbey, I am tickled to death not only by Catherine's naïveté but also by Jane Austen herself. The first half of this novel is filled with the most hilarious observations which seem to come directly from Austen, and the second half is filled with the overactive imagination of Catherine Morland. In this parody of Gothic fiction, Austen pokes fun at both herself and her audience. It is truly a delight.

Every time I read Jane Austen, a different novel stands out as my favorite, and the first time it was Persuasion. Persuasion is the story of Anne Elliot, who at nineteen is convinced by her family to reject the man she loves because of his lack of rank and fortune. Seven years later, after he has achieved his fortune, she is thrown again into Captain Wentworth's company. She must watch, her feelings unchanged, while he courts two other young ladies. Anne's courage and fortitude in such circumstances are inspiring, and the novel is one of hope for anyone who has ever wished for a second chance at love.

The Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen is an excellent edition of Jane Austen's novels. This particular volume (Volume V) contains the original cancelled chapters of Persuasion from Jane Austen's manuscript as well as excerpts from Ann Radcliffe's Mysteries of Udolpho and Romance of the Forest, which are both referred to in Northanger Abbey. These are must reads for any true Jane Austen devotee. I highly recommend this edition to anyone who enjoys or is interested in Jane Austen's novels.

Northanger Abbey was a very entertaining novel. The heroine, Catherine Morland, is a very mediocre but charming girl whose only wish in life is to have an exciting Gothic adventure, which of course will end up with herself saving the day. Like Austen's other work, it is entertainingly ironic, mainly due to the idea that throughout the entire story, Catherine creates the most Gothic of Gothic mysteries out of a situation that is completely normal. Catherine's innocence and amiability are completely captivating, proving that a good heroine need not be particularly witty or mysterious or in any way alluring. It is, on the whole, a very light, entertaining novel.
Persuasion is also very entertaining, but it has a more solid conflict. The heroine, Anne Elliot, is a really wonderful person, which irritatingly is only apparent to the reader and one or two other characters. Anne faces a dreadful situation when she is confronted by her former fiance, whom she chucked on the mistaken advice of her best friend, but still loves deeply. Personally, I was really in suspense nearly the entire time as to how it would turn out, because the entrance of Anne's cousin, Mr. Elliot, hints at an attachment with him. It' s a well-written and of course ironic and well worth reading if you remotely enjoy Austen's style.

Northanger Abbey was a very entertaining novel. The heroine, Catherine Morland, is a very mediocre but charming girl whose only wish in life is to have an exciting Gothic adventure, which of course will end up with herself saving the day. Like Austen's other work, it is entertainingly ironic, mainly due to the idea that throughout the entire story, Catherine creates the most Gothic of Gothic mysteries out of a situation that is completely normal. Catherine's innocence and amiability are completely captivating, proving that a good heroine need not be particularly witty or mysterious or in any way alluring. It is, on the whole, a very light, entertaining novel.
Persuasion is also very entertaining, but it has a more solid conflict. The heroine, Anne Elliot, is a really wonderful person, which irritatingly is only apparent to the reader and one or two other characters. Anne faces a dreadful situation when she is confronted by her former fiance, whom she chucked on the mistaken advice of her best friend, but still loves deeply. Personally, I was really in suspense nearly the entire time as to how it would turn out, because the entrance of Anne's cousin, Mr. Elliot, hints at an attachment with him. It' s a well-written and of course ironic and well worth reading if you remotely enjoy Austen's style.

My order was received before the estimated arrival time and I saved money because there were no shipping fees! Love Amazon for that!
Thanks!

Around about what you would expect, from one of these anthologies. Although it would seem to be a bit smaller scale than some of the early volumes, and less dark, as far as Sanctuary and various characters go. Story average 3.23, and basically this is a tweener, in the middle of 3 and 3.5, but not good enough in this case to round up to a 4.

Offutt and Grubb the picks of this bunch, I think.

Enemies Of Fortune : Introduction - Lynn Abbey
Enemies Of Fortune : Widowmaker - C. J. Cherryh and Jane Fancher
Enemies Of Fortune : Deadly Ritual - Mickey Zucker Reichert
Enemies Of Fortune : Pr1cks and Afflictions - Dennis L. McKiernan
Enemies Of Fortune : Consequences - Jody Lynn Nye
Enemies Of Fortune : Good Neighbors - Lynn Abbey
Enemies Of Fortune : Gathering Strength - Selina Rosen
Enemies Of Fortune : Dark of the Moon - Andrew Offutt
Enemies Of Fortune : Protection - Robin Wayne Bailey
Enemies Of Fortune : Legacies - Jane Fancher and C. J. Cherryh
Enemies Of Fortune : Malediction - Jeff Grubb
Enemies Of Fortune : The Ghost in the Phoenix - Diana L. Paxson and Ian Grey
Enemies Of Fortune : The Ballad of Shemhaza - Steven Brust

Never good when your strangler ex-wife comes back to town.

3.5 out of 5


Giving up piracy is an option, you know.

3.5 out of 5


Stunted mama's boy.

3 out of 5


Hornets, snakes, whichever.

3 out of 5



Healer choices.

3.5 out of 5


Froggin' drugs.

3 out of 5


Hope she doesn't frog me to death.

3.5 out of 5


Shadowspawn's apprentice's new lover and jewellery are more than they seem.

4 out of 5


Racket's moggie rebound.

3.5 out of 5


Chameleon amnesia.

2.5 out of 5


The Vulgar Unicorn leads to Hell, thanks to a small-codded frog-rooter.

4 out of 5


Spirit separation accident.

2.5 out of 5


Musician not so nice.

3.5 out of 5

I just picked up this book and have enjoyed it greatly. Thieves' World and the city of Sanctuary are such rich settings, and these authors explore that setting to great effect. I've only read about half the volume thus far, but highly recommend it based on what I have read. You'll enjoy this especially if you enjoy the whole 'shared world' concept (like I do). The stories are solid and the characters well-written. I strongly recommend the stories by Jody Lynn Nye, Robin Wayne Bailey, the 2 by CJ Cherryh & Jane Fancher, and Selina Rosen. And by all means, if you enjoy these stories, check out these authors' other works. Each one has a unique and entertaining style.

Congratulations and a hearty 'thank you' to Lynn Abbey for reviving the wonderful and engaging Thieves' World!

Many moons ago a fantasy anthology written by many top authors was conceived and Thieves World was born. The idea was that the City of Sanctuary would be the base with the various characters from the authors inhabiting this place. The idea was that the characters could be borrowed among the authors and you would get various perspectives of each character from different points of view. What the anthology turned into was a wonderful rollicking mess and one of the most important antholgy series to ever have been written for the fantasy world. The final book from the original series was published in 1989.

13 years later and Sanctuary rises again under Lynn Abbey's editorial control. This time it is a more mature version of theives world. The stories are every bit as good as the original, but a bit more polished this time around. Abbey must have learned hard lessons from the first anthology. There is a better focus and the story line is more organized. While the first anthology is going to be hard to match, the second anthology is starting off right.

The second book, "Enemies of Fortune" is very very good. There isn't a bad story or filler here. The book has both light and very dark stories. You feel bad for the various characters and yet laugh at them too. You find both love and gallantry among the denizons as well as honesty among thieves. The stories warn of the dangers of drug use "Good Neighbors" as well as not kidnapping the wrong woman "Protection". My personal favorites are "Ghost in the Pheonix" a light hearted story about possesion and "The Man from Shemhaza" which is anything but lighthearted.

"Enemies of Fortune" shows there are growng clouds for the future, which makes me want to read the next book before it is published. For those of you who have not read the original series, buy them if you can or at least read "Sanctuary", which will provide you a working knowledge betweent the old series and the new version. Highly Recommended.

I'll admit. I bought this book because the photographer, Harry Hinkle, is my cousin's husband.BUT.. I found myself drawn past the incredible photography of both Merton Thomas and Harry to the moving and insightful writing. The sheer joy of life reflected in the words AND photographs of this book, make me want to look at everything with new eyes and heart.

Thomas Merton's Gethsemani, Landscapes of Paradise by Monica Weis was, for me, a worthwhile read on a number of levels. Her premise was fascinating namely that Merton expanded his soul and grew progressively in his relationship with God by embracing not only the rules and rigors of monasticism but the mini-universe of the physical monastery, the land of Gethsemani itself. Weis details Merton's apprehension of this "paradise" with deceptive simplicity - the hills, rivers, storms, birds, smells and rhythms not only beckon him to deeper solititude but lead him into expanding realization, prayer and praise. And that for me, was the core accomplishment of the book. Weis never goes over the top. Her writing is clear and definite without strain, puffery or poetry. Rather the poetry of the book is her step by step detailing of the changes occuring within Merton himself as he allows Gethsemani - its physicality and metaphor - into his mind and heart. She traces the contours of a dynamic, poetic soul and the book shares the movement. Haley's black and white pictures of Gethsemani are simultaneously homey and mysterious; each invites a second look, a revaluation of your first response. His photography and Weis's premise go hand in hand. I remember one shot of a night sky - a black expanse spangled with hundreds of stars. It is sweeping and dramatic, far more majestic than those of woods, sheds and farm tools. Yet it locked perfectly with Weis's final chapters on Merton's (mystic) experience of a palpable unity; his sense that the world's religions have a common source and his full embrace of the METAPHOR he lived at Gethsemani. The book was my summer's morning read - a chapter a day with a cup of Starbuck's! A good way to start a day.

Mr. Hinkles evocative and enduring photographs and Ms. Weis' lyrical
text complement each other in support of Thomas Merton's enormous life. This is a precious text largely because it celebrates the courage to
simply be. One can read about Merton's contemplative life and very nearly be with him--in his light under the trees and sky and birds which
are fundamental and which were so essential to his routine, his daily
habit. Weis' text in particular is a carefully crafted essay--both probing and reverential. The book is an acheivement.

Five stars for the stunning photography of Harry L. Hinkle, and the wonderful layout of this volume, with it's telling quotes from Thomas Merton's own nature writings. His nature oeuvre is substantial, and this volume fills a need. Unfortunately, the essay text by Monica Weis is unbalanced. One is left with a very misleading idea of what this man was really about. He was not just a Franciscan icon lost in the rapture of the forests. On one level, we do a disservice to this great man in constantly perpetuating this kind of mythology. Too many reverential, saccharine treatments have been printed already. Merton was so much more; and others, beginning with biographer Michael Mott, have brought real balanced treatment to the life of this extremely complex man.

In the Foreward, Brother Patrick Hart makes mention of pilgrimages to the the places of interest in the physical and spiritual odessey of Thomas Merton. Who are these dear people who feel the need to do precisely what Thomas Merton himself so often railed against? Please desist from attempting to create an Icon of this most complex of human beings.