![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Book Review
Oct. 1st, 2009 09:20 pmGalveston
by Sean Stewart
This fine work of magical realism is set in a fictional near future Galveston, TX. In this version of the world, magic started to seep into the world, and, in 2004, overflowed in and event referred to as The Flood. Ghosts became commonplace and palpable, some people mutated into fantastical beasts, some people gained magical powers, and all sort of miracles and metaphysical phenomena began manifesting. The authorities of Galveston have been able to hold the magic at bay for a couple of decades, an endeavor which has created an even deeper divide between the rich and the poor. Things are coming to a crisis point. In the midst of this are Sloane Gardner, conflicted daughter of the unofficial mayor Jane Gardner, and the apothecary Josh Cane, whose family started out in relative wealth and then fell into serious poverty.
Stewart's world is a very interesting place, and his characters are very well-portrayed - they are complete people who are both sympathetic and exasperating. He does a great job of exploring themes of luck, dealing with what you have, and learning to accept responsibility without self-abnegation in the name of duty. I only had two complaints: I think Stewart made a misstep in the resolution of the romantic tensions between characters, and I wish he had dealt more directly and deeply with the way in which the authorities attempt to completely hold back and sequester the magic may have had a negative effect on Galveston.
by Sean Stewart
This fine work of magical realism is set in a fictional near future Galveston, TX. In this version of the world, magic started to seep into the world, and, in 2004, overflowed in and event referred to as The Flood. Ghosts became commonplace and palpable, some people mutated into fantastical beasts, some people gained magical powers, and all sort of miracles and metaphysical phenomena began manifesting. The authorities of Galveston have been able to hold the magic at bay for a couple of decades, an endeavor which has created an even deeper divide between the rich and the poor. Things are coming to a crisis point. In the midst of this are Sloane Gardner, conflicted daughter of the unofficial mayor Jane Gardner, and the apothecary Josh Cane, whose family started out in relative wealth and then fell into serious poverty.
Stewart's world is a very interesting place, and his characters are very well-portrayed - they are complete people who are both sympathetic and exasperating. He does a great job of exploring themes of luck, dealing with what you have, and learning to accept responsibility without self-abnegation in the name of duty. I only had two complaints: I think Stewart made a misstep in the resolution of the romantic tensions between characters, and I wish he had dealt more directly and deeply with the way in which the authorities attempt to completely hold back and sequester the magic may have had a negative effect on Galveston.
