Finished Solstice Wood ....

[capri0mni]

It took me about three days to read the first 40 or so pages, because I was being beguiled by the television, and LJ, and games and stuff... Then, I got past Chapter 5. Then, by dinner time, I almost halfway through the book. Then, after midnight, still couldn't sleep, I decided to "read just a few minutes, before bed."

Next thing I knew (or nearly the next thing) I was on the last page, and it was 6:00 am.

...That hasn't happened to me in years. Maybe the last time was 2000? Or was it back in the last century? Oh, wait, technically, 2000 was the last century.

It was nearly 7 am by the time I was actually in bed, and the sky was already turning light.

Somehow, I managed to sleep until a little after 11:30.

I'm now feeling headachey and "jet-lagged."

And haunted.

In a good way.

The first book of hers that I read was The Changeling Sea (1988). Then I read The Forgotten Beasts of Eld (1973), The Night Gift (1976) (Which is not about magic at all, but still feels as though it might be), and Riddle Master of Hed (1976) rings a faint bell.

I hadn't gone back to read her work in nearly 20 years, but on Thursday, when I went to the library, I wanted a book I could wallow in, and get lost in, so I looked on the library shelves for an name of an author who had done that for me in the past, and whom I could trust to do that again.

At first, I didn't think Patricia McKillip would deliver, this time, because I was not getting sucked in right away. The whole story is told in the first person, but from (mostly) four different points of view -- she switches between narrators for each chapter. So it took until halfway through the fifth chapter for me to catch on to her storytelling rhythm.

Once I had done that, I was well and throroughly hooked.

I won't link to the Amazon page for it, because the stupid, professional, publishing review spoilers it to high heaven.

But here, have a page of her bibliography from an SF database site. She's been having books published consistantly since 1973, and she had one out this year (wow)!

Anyway: Solstice Wood by Patricia McKillip, Ace Books (New York, New York) 2006.

I recommend it.

(jekesta, I'm thinking of you. The edition from the library was hardcover, but it's also out in paperback. The book has fairies in it).

Comments

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld was one of my favorites when I was in my early 20's. I didn't realize it was that old!

I'll have to request this one from the library. :)

[capriuni.livejournal.com]

I know. Looking at bibliographies of favorite authors is a good way to have an instant "I feel old" moment.

Oh, and unlike many of her works, this one is set in twenty-first century America, in a small unnamed town in Upstate New York. One of my favorite bits was that the one place in town where people can get clear cellphone reception is near a hydrangia in the bank parking lot. It's called the "community phone bush." ;-)

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

Cool! I love stories set in "upstate NY," especially since I spent half my life there. I'm reading Faerie Tale right now, which is set not far from Brushwood. :)

[capriuni.livejournal.com]

This was some fictional, totally unnamed town, and I didn't recognize it, on a gut level. But then again, I haven't spent any time to speak of north of Albany, so where I lived might as well have been another country.

I was thinking of you as I read it, though, and was wondering if you'd get a feel for which town/s she was using as a model.

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

I'll have to let you know. :)

[jekesta]

Ooh, that sounds great. I've avoided the publishers reviews of it but found a few comments from people all saying it was wonderful. I've added it to various wishlists at bookmooch and such and will definitely make sure to find it somewhere some time. I haven't read anything by her at all that I can see, and people seem to really love them, I'll keep an eye out:) ::dances you::

[capriuni.livejournal.com]

:::Dances you back:::

Most of her books, particularly her series, are set in Medieval-like parallel worlds, but not all. Most of her books are about magic, but not all.

But in every one of her books that I've read are about the way families love each other, and how that can hurt, sometimes, but most of the time, she makes you feel good about it, in the end.