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1mirrani
Okay, I've been having such a terrible time keeping track of the numbers of my books that I've decided to put the number first, so that when you look by title of post, they'll be in numerical order. Why the hell didn't we start doing that from the beginning, I'll never know. ;)
Anyway... This is just to say that I have finished this book and have moved on to number 36... however I know I still have several reviews to write and notes to make. Those I will do ASAP... Hopefully tonight if I don't fall asleep trying to do them, as has been the case for the last few nights. I'm back to falling asleep at 8 and waking up at 2... anxiety, hurt, guilt... all kinds of things throwing me into such issues. I'm just going to have to push on.
Anyway... This is just to say that I have finished this book and have moved on to number 36... however I know I still have several reviews to write and notes to make. Those I will do ASAP... Hopefully tonight if I don't fall asleep trying to do them, as has been the case for the last few nights. I'm back to falling asleep at 8 and waking up at 2... anxiety, hurt, guilt... all kinds of things throwing me into such issues. I'm just going to have to push on.
3mirrani
In order to properly get things quoted, I'm going to have to use / as a symbol of italics in text because I already type everything in italics...
"I cannot, Raven. I have taken vows." My mind burned with a flash of resentment toward her. I conquered the emotion, too elated that she had reached out to me to bother with past hurts.
/Vows to a foreign church, foreign princes, have never bound such as we!/ She sounded disgusted.
"Then it is about time they did and that we honor any vow we take."
/You do not understand. Have all my lessons been washed away by this church that demands total control of every aspect of life, including your private thoughts?/
"The church has opened paths of enlightenment to me that you kept closed."
/You must find your own enlightenment. Draw upon my lessons and learn./
This was a recurring theme and I'm sure I'm going to quote similar things from it as I go on posting lines from the book. It was what struck me the most... someone leaving a Wiccan background for the church and finding that faith is faith, no matter what /type/ of faith it is. Somehow they are all connected, each bringing a unique point of view to the idea of something grander.
We stitched and poulticed the wound, dosed him with willow bark tea and feverfew, and prayed. I added extract of mummy to the poultice to draw out the blood poison, the most powerful tool in any apothecary’s stores.
Whenever I hear about the way people used mummies in the past I always wonder to myself if any of them were any of the missing pharaohs. Did he just use Akhenaten as medicine?
My sister knelt beside me, holding the candle closer as she grabbed my chin and inspected my face. "Can you see?"
"Not with that light blinding me to all else."
She moved the candle aside.
This made me chuckle as I was reading.
"This assistance is not the same as during our youth, Donovan. This time I shall only steady you until you find your own balance."
This line means a lot, coming from the man who was to inherit the magic title of Merlin, spoken to the brother who never could do anything without his twin's help. His brother then begins swearing over his injuries...
"If you are trying to shock my priestly sensibilities, I’ve heard all those phrases before, little brother. Some in the confessional, some outside. I invented a few of them myself. Shall I give you penance for them now or reserve the privilege for Father Peter?"
The royal Scots seemed as fond of gloom in their décor as in their weather.
Had to like that line.
The Merlin meets some gypsies along the road in his travels, and they know who he is, of course. They want him to do magic, but he won't because doing that would go against what the church expects of him...
The man looked at me expectantly. I did not offer to light the fire with my mind, though I knew I could if I wanted to. He sighed, putting all the disappointment of the ages into his expression. Then he pulled out flint and iron to strike a spark into the kindling.
I loved the phrasing of that.
Part of me was saddened by the passing of a way of life that had produced the code of chivalry, the Magna Carta, troubadours, and heroes like Robin Hood and King Arthur. Another part of me rejoiced that we had stopped fighting among ourselves long enough to outgrow the need for castles designed more for defense than comfort.
They might not understand the language, but they knew the ritual of the Mass by rote. The English translation used by the Anglicans contained many obscure words and awkward phrases, probably less understandable to the average Englishman than the traditional Latin Mass.
There was more to this later on or earlier, I forget which, when he realizes just how much the bible has changed to suit the needs of the people who want the worshipers to believe as they do.
"You learned long ago that no matter what name you give to God, she hears our prayers," the old woman said through the fog.
And then came the day when I found fault with Elizabeth’s logic. And my own.
"Father Merlin, can you honestly tell me you believe in the...the magic that transforms the host into the body of our beloved Christ at the moment of Eucharist?" Elizabeth threw up her hands in exasperation.
"Madame, can you deny it?" I replied with the freedom our arguments gave me.
I liked the idea of belief in this transformation being magic. I think elsewhere there was a line about how it is only symbolism.
Ah.
"I can quote scripture as well as you. Is it not obvious that the Last Supper was but a symbol? Christ did not cut up his body and drain his blood for his disciples to cannibalize him. He offered symbols for the sharing of His word and His spirit."
There we go.
I don't often note large chunks of a book, but I had to here, I liked the conversation so much.
"Then I am not excommunicate for my sins?" I closed my eyes with my head leaning back upon the chair, afraid to look at him.
"Sacre Bleu! What made you think I would take such drastic action against one of the church’s best weapons against evil?"
"The church..."
"Is sometimes blinded by its own ignorance and fear, Father Merlin. You have begun a path toward spiritual enlightenment that I may not follow. But I can offer you sanctuary and respite between your tests and trials."
Depression hung heavily on my shoulders. Many days I had trouble forcing myself out of bed because I knew nothing but defeat. Even my tentative contact with Donovan seemed to evaporate. I had not the energy to pursue anything, least of all my magic.
Strange that the archivists kept the documents and carefully preserved them even though their superiors proclaimed the writings the works of Satan, lies, forgeries, and many other foul names.
That's the line regarding what they kept in and out of the bible.
The object of a pilgrimage is the spiritual growth while enduring the journey rather than the destination.
That sounded like it came right out of the Mummy movies. Mdejai wisdom. ;)
Another good line...
My life’s blood flowed freely into the lovely grotto pool, staining it red that darkened to black.
The blackness of a hell on Earth without the love of God. The blackness of a church that made itself more important than God and faith.
I guess only the lines about how bad the church is are important to me. lol... But really, that's what this book is about.. Not the church or paganism or anything like that, but finding spirituality that is right for the self. It was interesting to see the balance, to see christian working with pagan and so on...
More of the same...
"Try, Your Grace. For the love of God, make her see sense."
"For the love of the Church."
"There should be no difference. But there is."
We stared at each other another long moment. On this point, at least, we agreed. Trust had stretched thinner than the gold wire I wrapped around beads. It held.
I felt the grass grow, the earthworms work their way beneath the turf in endless circular tunnels. I touched each portion of the stones around me, became a part of them and added my soul to the energy of the power they radiated, to the other stones they connected to, and the other lives that joined with them. My ancestor, Myrddin Emrys, the Merlin, his daughter Arylwren, her children by King Arthur Pendragon, their descendants, Resmiranda Griffin, her descendants, Grandmother Raven. We all joined together in the endless circle of life magnified by these stones.
I am guilty of feeling like this when I'm out in the world, listening to the trees blowing in the breeze or the birds singing. How can you not feel a connection to the past, the future... the world around you all being one thing?
She knew Griffin Kirkwood intimately. As intimately as a lover.
I made one note after this line... Enough already! This must have been the thousandth time that we were not so subtly reminded that she got him to to go bed. It got to the point where I became /really/ frustrated with it. If that's going to be the only purpose in your life.. the one thing that drives your revenge? That he doesn't remember being drunk and doing things? Give it a rest already! This soured the plot for me.
“Don’t die on me now, brother.” Donovan frantically fumbled at his belt for the flask of wine, for strengthening herbs, or a miracle.
This was a cute line, unfortunately it was in the wrong place to be smiling.
She gathered me close, comforting me. A sob broke in my chest, burst forth into the tears I had not allowed myself to shed.
"A burden shared is half the weight," she whispered through her own tears. "He was a great man. We shall miss him."
And this is it. That's all my notes and I've got to come up with a review now... Something that isn't all about how nice a combination of church and non church this was. :)
"I cannot, Raven. I have taken vows." My mind burned with a flash of resentment toward her. I conquered the emotion, too elated that she had reached out to me to bother with past hurts.
/Vows to a foreign church, foreign princes, have never bound such as we!/ She sounded disgusted.
"Then it is about time they did and that we honor any vow we take."
/You do not understand. Have all my lessons been washed away by this church that demands total control of every aspect of life, including your private thoughts?/
"The church has opened paths of enlightenment to me that you kept closed."
/You must find your own enlightenment. Draw upon my lessons and learn./
This was a recurring theme and I'm sure I'm going to quote similar things from it as I go on posting lines from the book. It was what struck me the most... someone leaving a Wiccan background for the church and finding that faith is faith, no matter what /type/ of faith it is. Somehow they are all connected, each bringing a unique point of view to the idea of something grander.
We stitched and poulticed the wound, dosed him with willow bark tea and feverfew, and prayed. I added extract of mummy to the poultice to draw out the blood poison, the most powerful tool in any apothecary’s stores.
Whenever I hear about the way people used mummies in the past I always wonder to myself if any of them were any of the missing pharaohs. Did he just use Akhenaten as medicine?
My sister knelt beside me, holding the candle closer as she grabbed my chin and inspected my face. "Can you see?"
"Not with that light blinding me to all else."
She moved the candle aside.
This made me chuckle as I was reading.
"This assistance is not the same as during our youth, Donovan. This time I shall only steady you until you find your own balance."
This line means a lot, coming from the man who was to inherit the magic title of Merlin, spoken to the brother who never could do anything without his twin's help. His brother then begins swearing over his injuries...
"If you are trying to shock my priestly sensibilities, I’ve heard all those phrases before, little brother. Some in the confessional, some outside. I invented a few of them myself. Shall I give you penance for them now or reserve the privilege for Father Peter?"
The royal Scots seemed as fond of gloom in their décor as in their weather.
Had to like that line.
The Merlin meets some gypsies along the road in his travels, and they know who he is, of course. They want him to do magic, but he won't because doing that would go against what the church expects of him...
The man looked at me expectantly. I did not offer to light the fire with my mind, though I knew I could if I wanted to. He sighed, putting all the disappointment of the ages into his expression. Then he pulled out flint and iron to strike a spark into the kindling.
I loved the phrasing of that.
Part of me was saddened by the passing of a way of life that had produced the code of chivalry, the Magna Carta, troubadours, and heroes like Robin Hood and King Arthur. Another part of me rejoiced that we had stopped fighting among ourselves long enough to outgrow the need for castles designed more for defense than comfort.
They might not understand the language, but they knew the ritual of the Mass by rote. The English translation used by the Anglicans contained many obscure words and awkward phrases, probably less understandable to the average Englishman than the traditional Latin Mass.
There was more to this later on or earlier, I forget which, when he realizes just how much the bible has changed to suit the needs of the people who want the worshipers to believe as they do.
"You learned long ago that no matter what name you give to God, she hears our prayers," the old woman said through the fog.
And then came the day when I found fault with Elizabeth’s logic. And my own.
"Father Merlin, can you honestly tell me you believe in the...the magic that transforms the host into the body of our beloved Christ at the moment of Eucharist?" Elizabeth threw up her hands in exasperation.
"Madame, can you deny it?" I replied with the freedom our arguments gave me.
I liked the idea of belief in this transformation being magic. I think elsewhere there was a line about how it is only symbolism.
Ah.
"I can quote scripture as well as you. Is it not obvious that the Last Supper was but a symbol? Christ did not cut up his body and drain his blood for his disciples to cannibalize him. He offered symbols for the sharing of His word and His spirit."
There we go.
I don't often note large chunks of a book, but I had to here, I liked the conversation so much.
"Then I am not excommunicate for my sins?" I closed my eyes with my head leaning back upon the chair, afraid to look at him.
"Sacre Bleu! What made you think I would take such drastic action against one of the church’s best weapons against evil?"
"The church..."
"Is sometimes blinded by its own ignorance and fear, Father Merlin. You have begun a path toward spiritual enlightenment that I may not follow. But I can offer you sanctuary and respite between your tests and trials."
Depression hung heavily on my shoulders. Many days I had trouble forcing myself out of bed because I knew nothing but defeat. Even my tentative contact with Donovan seemed to evaporate. I had not the energy to pursue anything, least of all my magic.
Strange that the archivists kept the documents and carefully preserved them even though their superiors proclaimed the writings the works of Satan, lies, forgeries, and many other foul names.
That's the line regarding what they kept in and out of the bible.
The object of a pilgrimage is the spiritual growth while enduring the journey rather than the destination.
That sounded like it came right out of the Mummy movies. Mdejai wisdom. ;)
Another good line...
My life’s blood flowed freely into the lovely grotto pool, staining it red that darkened to black.
The blackness of a hell on Earth without the love of God. The blackness of a church that made itself more important than God and faith.
I guess only the lines about how bad the church is are important to me. lol... But really, that's what this book is about.. Not the church or paganism or anything like that, but finding spirituality that is right for the self. It was interesting to see the balance, to see christian working with pagan and so on...
More of the same...
"Try, Your Grace. For the love of God, make her see sense."
"For the love of the Church."
"There should be no difference. But there is."
We stared at each other another long moment. On this point, at least, we agreed. Trust had stretched thinner than the gold wire I wrapped around beads. It held.
I felt the grass grow, the earthworms work their way beneath the turf in endless circular tunnels. I touched each portion of the stones around me, became a part of them and added my soul to the energy of the power they radiated, to the other stones they connected to, and the other lives that joined with them. My ancestor, Myrddin Emrys, the Merlin, his daughter Arylwren, her children by King Arthur Pendragon, their descendants, Resmiranda Griffin, her descendants, Grandmother Raven. We all joined together in the endless circle of life magnified by these stones.
I am guilty of feeling like this when I'm out in the world, listening to the trees blowing in the breeze or the birds singing. How can you not feel a connection to the past, the future... the world around you all being one thing?
She knew Griffin Kirkwood intimately. As intimately as a lover.
I made one note after this line... Enough already! This must have been the thousandth time that we were not so subtly reminded that she got him to to go bed. It got to the point where I became /really/ frustrated with it. If that's going to be the only purpose in your life.. the one thing that drives your revenge? That he doesn't remember being drunk and doing things? Give it a rest already! This soured the plot for me.
“Don’t die on me now, brother.” Donovan frantically fumbled at his belt for the flask of wine, for strengthening herbs, or a miracle.
This was a cute line, unfortunately it was in the wrong place to be smiling.
She gathered me close, comforting me. A sob broke in my chest, burst forth into the tears I had not allowed myself to shed.
"A burden shared is half the weight," she whispered through her own tears. "He was a great man. We shall miss him."
And this is it. That's all my notes and I've got to come up with a review now... Something that isn't all about how nice a combination of church and non church this was. :)
5cedargrove
This is a book that I have to read to, so I'm interested to read your insights. I very much look forward to it as a matter of fact.
I like the theme you say that runs through the book, of faith being faith no matter what. It's something I've thought for some time, and a way, I think, to help us all respect each other's faiths no matter what.
It's a very good question about the mummies, and it would be dreadful of such people as Akhenaten had been lost because of being used as medicine.
Shall I give you penance for them now or reserve the privilege for Father Peter?"
I always knew the Merlin had a sense of humour. :)
With the comment about the bible - it's funny how much a similar sentiment has come up just lately. The idea how writings and things in holy books are changed, manipulated or downright corrupted to seve the need of the evangelists/extremists/ - or just the people with power who like you said want people to beleive as they do...
I loved the quotes you made about the Eucharist.
And yay - those Medjai get everywhere!
See - what you say here about seeing only how bad the church is... that's what's been coming up time and time again (though it's not been about the church but about Islam, but then again, what else is new, right?) It draws the line between faith and religion... where faith is 'god' and religion is 'the church' It's sad but true, you know?
endless circle of life...
Hey, as far as I see it there's nothing wrong wit feeling these connections... with being a true part of the world around you. It's all wonderful.
I really look forward to reading this book and adding to the notes. :)
I like the theme you say that runs through the book, of faith being faith no matter what. It's something I've thought for some time, and a way, I think, to help us all respect each other's faiths no matter what.
It's a very good question about the mummies, and it would be dreadful of such people as Akhenaten had been lost because of being used as medicine.
Shall I give you penance for them now or reserve the privilege for Father Peter?"
I always knew the Merlin had a sense of humour. :)
With the comment about the bible - it's funny how much a similar sentiment has come up just lately. The idea how writings and things in holy books are changed, manipulated or downright corrupted to seve the need of the evangelists/extremists/ - or just the people with power who like you said want people to beleive as they do...
I loved the quotes you made about the Eucharist.
And yay - those Medjai get everywhere!
See - what you say here about seeing only how bad the church is... that's what's been coming up time and time again (though it's not been about the church but about Islam, but then again, what else is new, right?) It draws the line between faith and religion... where faith is 'god' and religion is 'the church' It's sad but true, you know?
endless circle of life...
Hey, as far as I see it there's nothing wrong wit feeling these connections... with being a true part of the world around you. It's all wonderful.
I really look forward to reading this book and adding to the notes. :)
6cedargrove
"Is not the master more a servant to his people and the land than those who tend him?" 2% Loc 160
I liked this mostly because it's something that the feudal lords tended to forget back there and so pegs Griffin as a good man. I also like it, but question, should not we al be like this.
Raven's Goddess seemed too remote, too ineffectual, too lost. 3% Loc 188
And I think here is both the answer to my question above and a big problem in a 'male heavy' spirituality within societies and cultures. We are lost, to Her and She to Us.
So far I have only read up to chapter 4, that's not because I'm not enjoying it, just because finding time to read at the moment, is proving... challenging. I'm intrigued and I think enjoying what I'm reading, but I think maybe I should have read the others in this series first.
I have one of them here (Guardian of the Balance), but just didn't read it yet. I'm not sure how many Radford did in the series, but... I can't help wonder how connected they all are.
I liked this mostly because it's something that the feudal lords tended to forget back there and so pegs Griffin as a good man. I also like it, but question, should not we al be like this.
Raven's Goddess seemed too remote, too ineffectual, too lost. 3% Loc 188
And I think here is both the answer to my question above and a big problem in a 'male heavy' spirituality within societies and cultures. We are lost, to Her and She to Us.
So far I have only read up to chapter 4, that's not because I'm not enjoying it, just because finding time to read at the moment, is proving... challenging. I'm intrigued and I think enjoying what I'm reading, but I think maybe I should have read the others in this series first.
I have one of them here (Guardian of the Balance), but just didn't read it yet. I'm not sure how many Radford did in the series, but... I can't help wonder how connected they all are.
7cedargrove
God has many names. She answers to all of them.10% Loc 799
This sentiment has become so overused that it's become a cliche... which is a bit of a shame really.
Regret hung heavy in my heart. I could accomplish much good in this world with a sword of power in my hand. But the power came from otherworlds, other gods. I could not wield it and remain a priest. 10% loc 846
Okay, I think I get it already... I'm only 10% of the way in and already I'm tired of having this shoved in my face as a reminder every few pages.
I have now read to 22% and I'm having real trouble in thinking many of the characters are big whiners!
This sentiment has become so overused that it's become a cliche... which is a bit of a shame really.
Regret hung heavy in my heart. I could accomplish much good in this world with a sword of power in my hand. But the power came from otherworlds, other gods. I could not wield it and remain a priest. 10% loc 846
Okay, I think I get it already... I'm only 10% of the way in and already I'm tired of having this shoved in my face as a reminder every few pages.
I have now read to 22% and I'm having real trouble in thinking many of the characters are big whiners!
8cedargrove
I've reached 41% today, and I'm still having a hard time with the book. I don't know what it is. It wavers between two different kinds of book I think, and doesn't really do either very successfully (Period or Fantasy).
There were a couple of notes I made today, one about the inclusion of the Elvish hunt... and the magics used to protect them, being something right out of fantasy... and another way about wondering about the treatment of women, being brought about by the meeting of Griffin with the Gypsies... which are introduced as 'Gyptians' and this made me wonder... along the whole of the 'how those in Islam treat women' kind of questions, but then of course the Gypsies don't seem all that much into that kind of thing either... there was a whole convoluted train of thought there... but it kind of got overshadowed by the fact that I'm not really enjoying the read very much.
I'm going to have to decide what to do pretty soon, because struggling my way through this book as put me 11 books behind my target for the year.
There were a couple of notes I made today, one about the inclusion of the Elvish hunt... and the magics used to protect them, being something right out of fantasy... and another way about wondering about the treatment of women, being brought about by the meeting of Griffin with the Gypsies... which are introduced as 'Gyptians' and this made me wonder... along the whole of the 'how those in Islam treat women' kind of questions, but then of course the Gypsies don't seem all that much into that kind of thing either... there was a whole convoluted train of thought there... but it kind of got overshadowed by the fact that I'm not really enjoying the read very much.
I'm going to have to decide what to do pretty soon, because struggling my way through this book as put me 11 books behind my target for the year.
9cedargrove
Finally finished, thanks to starting the news job. The only trouble with listening while travelling is that note making is difficult.
Englishwomen had more respect and freedom than most of their gender on the Continent. Yet these Gypsy women held places far above any woman I had yet encountered. 35% loc 3144.
This was the note that made me wonder about the treatment of women in various cultures and religions, and the connection with the Gypsies and Egypt/Islam I still need to check the dates and things.
Beautiful men, tall, striaght, fine of feature and beautifully pale in the strange light. Pale hair, pale skin, pale eyes. Pointed ears and slanted eyes only enhanced their beauty. 36% loc 3165
It's a classic description of elves, and this is part of what was wrong with the book for me. I felt that the genres (historical fiction and fantasy) didn't really blend very well, so sometimes you felt you were reading a historical novel, or sometimes a fantasy novel. There was just something wrong with the blend.
"Matters not what you call your God. You teach the message of the light," she said. "Been a long time since we had a Griffin presiding up here. The stones need the ceremonies and rituals to stay alive. You will always be welcome here. The stones will harbor you." 37% loc 3316
This remains true, or perhaps truer even today. Visit any stone circle in England and you get a sense of that... need... that slumbering almost death. Does that mean we need a Merlin/Pendragon now?
I didn't make any notes on the rest of it, though from around 65 or 70% of the way I enjoyed the story far more... and I don't know quite what it was. Did the story settle down into a more certain fulfillment of its own expectation of its mixed genre, or whether it just became more coherent over all.
I do feel the book was overly long though, and not in a good way. It could have been told much more tightly, than the rambly kind of way it was told. The bottom line is that for me it tried to fit in way to much, in way too many genre styles.
Englishwomen had more respect and freedom than most of their gender on the Continent. Yet these Gypsy women held places far above any woman I had yet encountered. 35% loc 3144.
This was the note that made me wonder about the treatment of women in various cultures and religions, and the connection with the Gypsies and Egypt/Islam I still need to check the dates and things.
Beautiful men, tall, striaght, fine of feature and beautifully pale in the strange light. Pale hair, pale skin, pale eyes. Pointed ears and slanted eyes only enhanced their beauty. 36% loc 3165
It's a classic description of elves, and this is part of what was wrong with the book for me. I felt that the genres (historical fiction and fantasy) didn't really blend very well, so sometimes you felt you were reading a historical novel, or sometimes a fantasy novel. There was just something wrong with the blend.
"Matters not what you call your God. You teach the message of the light," she said. "Been a long time since we had a Griffin presiding up here. The stones need the ceremonies and rituals to stay alive. You will always be welcome here. The stones will harbor you." 37% loc 3316
This remains true, or perhaps truer even today. Visit any stone circle in England and you get a sense of that... need... that slumbering almost death. Does that mean we need a Merlin/Pendragon now?
I didn't make any notes on the rest of it, though from around 65 or 70% of the way I enjoyed the story far more... and I don't know quite what it was. Did the story settle down into a more certain fulfillment of its own expectation of its mixed genre, or whether it just became more coherent over all.
I do feel the book was overly long though, and not in a good way. It could have been told much more tightly, than the rambly kind of way it was told. The bottom line is that for me it tried to fit in way to much, in way too many genre styles.
10cedargrove
Here is my review http://www.librarything.com/review/99098725
