Book Review

[kenjari]

The High House
The False House
By James Stoddard

These two fantasy novels are about Evenmere, a mansion that is at the center of all creation. The house is beautiful and vast (possibly infinite), containing many countries wihtin it. Both books center around the house's Master, Carter Anderson, and his compatriots as they struggle to maintain the balance between order and chaos and thus keep the universe going.
The style of the writing, and even of the plot and characters, is deliberately old-fashioned. It's reminiscent of L. Frank Baum and C. S. Lewis (Narnia especially). Also, like Lewis' work, Stoddard's books have some noticeable Christian overtones, but he has a lighter touch than Lewis. There are also some fairy-tale elements to the characters and plot (a wicked-stepmother-esque character, an enchanted sword, etc), which enhance both the old-fashioned feel and the adventure. The books are full of adventure and wonder - Evenmere is an endlessly fascinating setting. I really enjoyed the books - it was like being a kid again and reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe for the first time again.

Comments

[kenjari.livejournal.com]

If you haven't already, you might want to read Wuthering Heights first, though, as that book is important to some of the events in The False House.

[ladybird97.livejournal.com]

Oh, I've definitely read Wuthering Heights. And now I'm even more intrigued about this book.

[checks library]

We don't have it here. Darn. Oh well. I'll keep looking!