All---
Tim Stretton's The Dog of the North is, in many ways, a fantasy novel I wish I had written. It is the story of two men, Arren and Beauceron, and their struggle as individuals trying to carve out their own places in a world whose personal intrigues and political statecraft entangle and threaten to choke them. The book takes place in the world of Mondia whose geography and cultures are quite foreign to ours but which is described with such clarity and sympathy that it feels as comfortable and familiar as any story of Arthurian England or Medieval Germany.
This is a difficult book to talk about without spoilers, but I will do my best, because while the action moves quickly and the dialogue pulls the reader along, the story is intricate enough to lend itself to a close reading, savoring the minutiae of the many compelling mysteries which are told or implied. The two primary story lines revolve around Arren and Beauceron. The former, a young man growing up in a world he never quite understands. The latter, a man trying to punish the world for not being what he thought it should be. It is a story of individuals searching for moral justice, social equanimity, and individual contentment. More than anything, it is the story of transformation, growth, and corruption. Every single person in The Dog of North has a vision of how the world should be, and how they should fit into that world. The book chronicles their ploys to make that happen, focusing most intimately on Arren and Beauceron.
It is, in those respects, very like much like the type of fiction I like to write. Unfortunately for me and fortunately for the reader, Stretton is able to pull of several things I have never been able to when crafting my own fantasy. His world of Mondia is at least as well if not better developed than any fantasy world I ever created, but rather than setting his story within the world, Stretton manages to use to the story to deliver the world. No lengthy, digressionary passages describe the land, the politics, the religion . . . But Mondia is vivid in my mind, because its richness is conveyed through crackling prose that integrates description and context deftly with action and character.
Likewise, Stretton's characters, while not unidimensional, are clearly understood by readers the moment they walk on stage. First impressions, so important in life, are difficult to communicate in fantasy fiction, where so often personality and psychology are lost in the trappings and flourishes of a far away place. In The Dog North, personality and psychology are readily apparent through the dialogue and behaviour of the individuals.
In short, The Dog of the North not just a good fantasy book. It's just a good book. Just the kind of fantasy that I've never been able to pull off. Good there's more Stretton to read and more on the way!
.Nevets.
Good review- not really the type I read- but its important to break away from normal every once in a while. Thanks for posting
ReplyDeleteUhm, you're way too hard on yourself, Nevets. But I know what you mean. Tough to recognize what you want to accomplish yet not be there quite yet. I just finished a steampunk novel that did the same thing. I was in there with those characters.
ReplyDelete@Summer - Not every book is for everyone, it's true. When I review I try to cast books in such a way that the people who *will* like it recognize that, and that the others are at least curious and pleased to learn.
ReplyDelete@Deb - I think I can pull it off alright in what I'm writing these days because I don't need to world build, beyond establishing the setting and atmosphere. I think it's a much more significant achievement to pull that off with Fantasy or some sci fi, where you need to help your readers understand a whole other world.
Not only do I love the cover but you make the book sound terrific. I don't normally read this sort of novel but I might look it up when I'm in a bookstore next.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the very generous review, Nevets (and for the one on Amazon).
ReplyDeleteAs a writer, one of the things I'd never expected was that everyone who likes the book likes something different about it. I'd naively imagined that everyone would read the book the same way - but of course we all look for and respond to different aspects in fiction.
@summer, @clarissa I hope you enjoy the book if you pick up a copy. It seems to appeal at least as much to fans of historical fiction as fantasy-heads (who often would like to see the elves and goblins I deny them).
@Tim - Not at all! Thank *you* for writing such a good book. I don't feel obligated to like a book because I've become acquainted with the author on-line, but I've been very fortunate so far that the couple of books that I have reviewed have been stellar. I anticipate the same for Acts of Violence, which I started this weekend.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, Tim, my wife enjoyed the book every bit as much as I did, as well.
Nevets, from what I know of your tastes and the kind of fiction you write, I'd be amazed if you didn't love Acts of Violence. RDJ is already operating at the top of the field.
ReplyDeleteYou've definitely made me curious about the book - going to have to add it to my TBR pile :) World building is something I struggle with at times, so I'm always on the look out for a book that masters this task.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nevets. I'm always on the lookout for good fantasy. Will just go and check if Mr Stretton is available UK-side.
ReplyDelete@Michelle - Even if you're not into the genre of the book, as a writer there's plenty to learn from it, and the story is entertaining enough to get you through. :)
ReplyDelete@Michael - Stretton should be easier to come by on the UK-side, in fact!
@Michelle - if you're looking for hints from the book, look for what's not there rather than what is (and enjoy the story too!)
ReplyDelete@Michael - I am a Brit and the book still available on Amazon UK
Oh, absolutely sounds like a book I'd like to read. It is now on my TBR list, but I'm pretty sure it will bump a lot of other lesser novels. Your review Nevets totally sold me. I love characters, and intimate visions, and a story the unfolds with mystery and depth.
ReplyDeleteThanks CN.
Tim: so nice to make your acquaintance.
.........dhole
@Donna - Glad to help call attention to a good book!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, anyone who's interested in this book should check out Tim's blog to keep to up to date on what he's working on, reading, or cooking.