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The DWJ Project: Eight Days of Luke
Jun. 27th, 2011 02:44 amThis book is the reason I can never quite believe that Loki is evil.
See, it was my very first introduction to Norse mythology. I'd long adored D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths, but had not yet encountered its northern counterpart. (I think the edition of this novel I read back then had an afterword explaining who the gods were, or all the reveals at the end would have flown totally over my head.) Thanks to Diana Wynne Jones, I'm subconsciously convinced Loki's a sweetie who never really meant to hurt anybody.
It's also the last of my top tier of favorites, which means I did a book recommendation for it yonks ago; read that for a plot summary.
This was her fourth book published (third fantasy), and as![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
fjm said in the comments to Witch's Business, it's the first one to really feel like a DWJ novel. Not just because of the neglected kid protagonist, but because the fantasy isn't random; it's a meaningful layer to the story, and not entirely shiny. Luke may not be a villain, but he isn't quite what you'd call good, either. He's far too pleased with his own cleverness and power, and not inclined to think about the cost to others unless somebody reminds him.
( As I stray into specifics... )
As usual, comments are welcome on previous posts, and feel free to request books you'd rather hear me talk about sooner rather than later. (The Merlin Conspiracy is up next for that reason.)
See, it was my very first introduction to Norse mythology. I'd long adored D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths, but had not yet encountered its northern counterpart. (I think the edition of this novel I read back then had an afterword explaining who the gods were, or all the reveals at the end would have flown totally over my head.) Thanks to Diana Wynne Jones, I'm subconsciously convinced Loki's a sweetie who never really meant to hurt anybody.
It's also the last of my top tier of favorites, which means I did a book recommendation for it yonks ago; read that for a plot summary.
This was her fourth book published (third fantasy), and as
fjm said in the comments to Witch's Business, it's the first one to really feel like a DWJ novel. Not just because of the neglected kid protagonist, but because the fantasy isn't random; it's a meaningful layer to the story, and not entirely shiny. Luke may not be a villain, but he isn't quite what you'd call good, either. He's far too pleased with his own cleverness and power, and not inclined to think about the cost to others unless somebody reminds him.( As I stray into specifics... )
As usual, comments are welcome on previous posts, and feel free to request books you'd rather hear me talk about sooner rather than later. (The Merlin Conspiracy is up next for that reason.)
