{"id":3597,"date":"2013-02-28T19:29:41","date_gmt":"2013-03-01T00:29:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/klishis.com\/reading\/?p=3597"},"modified":"2021-05-31T08:05:21","modified_gmt":"2021-05-31T12:05:21","slug":"thomas-the-rhymer-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/reading\/archives\/3597","title":{"rendered":"Thomas the Rhymer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thomas the Rhymer<\/a><\/em> (1990) Ellen Kushner<\/a><\/p>\n

\"thomas-the-rhymer\"<\/a>Of course I’d read this before. But after rereading Swordspoint, I wanted to read it again.<\/p>\n

This is actually a novel based upon the folklore and myth surrounding Thomas the Rhymer, told in four parts. The first is told by Gavin, a crofter, living in the hills with his wife.<\/p>\n

We learned more from him of his travels in the outside world, the sights he’d seen adn the people he’d known. It was a s good as being there, without the bother.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That best sums up Gavin I think.<\/p>\n

The second is told from the point of view of Thomas himself, and tells of his time in Elfland, and although it’s the longest section, I think I prefer the other sections, where we see Thomas from the outside. <\/p>\n

Though he does have his moments.<\/p>\n

…the notes should be held a moment longer than the rhythm suggests, just as a person telling his grief pauses in pain before revealing it… until at least the sorry overwhelms him, and it comes rushing out, like waves onto the land.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The third part–Thomas’ return from Elfland–is told Meg, Gavin’s wife. I think she may be my favorite.<\/p>\n

“Mistress,” the minstrel frowned, “if you were any sharper, we could see you at the fair for scissors.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But she’s not all tongue and sharp edges.<\/p>\n

“Tom,” Meg stopped in gravely, “don’t say such things. Perfection isn’t more mankind. Something might hear you.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The last section is told by Elspeth, Thomas’ sweetheart and then wife, who still felt like a stranger when we came to her section. Hers was the hardest story: the woman left behind, and who had to make her own way thinking he would never return.<\/p>\n

In the sleepless dark, all things are possible, the worst most likely, all darkness visible.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This story is like Swordspoint<\/a><\/em>, a long stroll through magical lands. There is little action of adventure, just the lives unfolding.<\/p>\n

One last line, that struck me as the way someone might describe me:<\/p>\n

“If we get into Heaven on faith alone, she’ll be shoveling coals for eternity.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Probably so.
\nRating: 9\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n

Published by Bantam Books
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