Already Tad Williams has proven to me that he is blessed with talent far surpassing most of the authors I have read recently, with his ingenius and wholly original OTHERLAND books, as well as the wonderful tale THE WAR OF THE FLOWERS.
But now, with this first volume in his first series, Williams has inched closer to becoming one of my most favorite writers of fiction in all the land --
any land, I should say.
This has been one of the most incredible reading experiences that I have had for quite some time. Williams' writing positively soars, and I can just as easily get swept up in his delicious prose and narrative style as I can in the characters and in the world of Osten Ard. This exquisite story is layered--slowly at first--intricately at times, and at others as rushed and haphazard as can only be events of the Real World, lending excitement, if not perfect plausibility to the course of events. All the time momentum is building, rolling slowly and then tumbling, thundering forward in a terrible, pulse-pounding fury. I have relished in awe in the reading of this book, and salivate at the thought of so much more to come.
If other fantasy books or series out there hold a candle to this one, then you can count me a very early but dedicated fan of the genre. I'm sure MEMORY, SORROW AND THORN share many traits that are similar to epic fantasy all over, but to me, the whole experience of reading this book has been fresh and exhillerating.
From the earliest 200 pages of the book, as Simon Mooncalf struggles with his awkwardness inside the walls of the Hayholt Castle, and then a flash of events that propell him North to Naglimund Keep and refuge with Prince Josua's Allies, there is a treasure trove of detail and characters both large and small. And no one is safe, as at the midpoint, and seemingly every other point of the story, information is revealed that changes the direction of Simon's journey, and shifts the advantage of every struggle, every conflict.
Storming through the last pages of the book, friends become separated, alliances broken, and King Elias brings a great seige to the Walls of Naglimund. But there is even more in store, as secret bargains are struck, and a confrontation on the tallest windswept peak of the mountain Urmsheim, beneath a towering tree of ice, could spell the fate of Simon, his friends, and all the mortal men of Osten Ard.
I love it! This is great literature, fascinating and thrilling and entertaining to the highest order. I am truly impressed, and will only be taking a small break between reading installments, as I cannot wait to continue galloping along at Simon's side.
In the words of Doctor Morgenes:
"Never make your home in a place. Make a home for yourself in your own head. You'll find what you need to furnish it--Memory, friends you can trust, love of learning, and other such things. That way it will go with you wherever you journey. You'll never lack for a home--unless you lose your head, of course..."
