We are in a lull after the year-end storm. Mette Ivie Harrison’s third Linda Wallheim mystery is drawing a wide variety of reviews. Josi Kilpack and Shadow Mountain have released their latest “Historical Proper Romance”, and Erin Summerill debuted with a YA fantasy/romance. A second adaption of Shannon Hale’s Princess Academy debuted on a Utah stage for the second year in a row. Tim Slover’s newest historical play, Virtue, about the 12th-century Abbess Hildegard, debuts next month. The schedule for the Life, the Universe, & Everything symposium has been announced, and includes two presentations sponsored by AML. Please send announcements and corrections to: mormonlit AT gmail DOT com.
News and blog posts
Life, the Universe, & Everything: The Marion K. “Doc” Smith Symposium on Science Fiction and Fantasy will be held at the Provo Marriot Hotel on February 16-18.. Dan Wells will be one of the Guests of Honor. Other special guest include Larry Correia, Lisa Mangum, Michaelbrent Collings, David Powers King, and Dennis Packard. See the schedule here. Mormon focused presentations inculde:
- Robert Starling Presentation: Mormons, Movies, and Mormon Movies. “Veteran LDS filmmaker Starling (producer of Charley and Scout Camp) explores movies about Mormons by outsiders, movies made by Mormons, and movies made by the LDS Church itself. He also discusses the current state (pros and cons) of the “LDS Movie” genre and ways to take this genre to the next level.”
- The Appeal of Science Fiction and Fantasy for Mormons. “It’s been observed that Mormons seem to have an special affinity for science fiction and fantasy, both as readers and as fans. Discussion of how sf/f and LDS themes intersect and interact.” Featuring Robin Glassey, Jonathan Langford, Donna Milakovic, Kip Rasmussen, and Sally Taylor.
- Scott Hales and Jonathan Langford Presentation: “Nephi Anderson’s Beyond Arsareth” and “Mormon Resonances in Zenna Henderson’s ‘The People’ Stories”. Academic presentation (sponsored by the Association for Mormon Letters).
- Michaelbrent Collings Presentation: “Mormons and Horror: Light Within the Dark” Academic presentation (sponsored by the Association for Mormon Letters)
Rodger Sorensen is the 2016 recipient of BYU Idaho’s Eliza R. Snow’s Lifetime Achievement Award for the Performing and Visual Arts. “The purpose of this award is to recognise and honour alumni who have excelled in the performing or visual arts as either a professional or an amateur. Sorenson taught in Rexburg for 17 years, and is now a part of the BYU (Provo) Theatre and Media Arts Department.
Swoony Award Winners. “Excellence in Clean Fiction.” Awards given by the book blog Bookworm Nation.
Best YA Contemporary Romance: P.S. I Like You by Kasie West
Best New Adult Contemporary: Double Play by Ranee S Clark
Best Western Historical: The Sheriffs of Savage Wells by Sarah M Eden
Best High Fantasy: Painting Rain by Annette K Larsen.
Best Dystopian: Escape to Eden by Rachel McClellan
Kathy’s Choice: The Fall of Lord Drayson by Rachael Anderson
Katie’s Choice: Just a Kiss in the Moonlight by Cindy Roland Anderson
Heidi’s Choice: My Fair Gentleman by Nancy Campbell Allen
An article about the two-year old Utah publisher Future House Publishing, and its founder, Adam Sidwell, in Publishers Weekly.
Utah author Jennifer Adams puts twist on the classics for the BabyLit set. Salt Lake Tribune.
Shannon Hale’s report on the state of women characters in animated movies in 2016.
Magazines
Sunstone Magazine, #183. Winter 2016.
As Honey for Sweetness: Wrestling With the Various Voices of Scripture, By Julie M. Smith
Danites, Damsels, and World Domination: Mormons in the Dime Novels, By Michael Austin
The Madness of Faith, Personal Essay by Emily Belanger
Into the River, Fiction by Larry Menlove
Sunstone Magazine, #182. Fall 2016
The Mandelbrot Set, Fiction by Heidi Naylor
PJ, Fiction by Jennifer Quist
An Open Palm and a Consecrated Life: Three Meditations on Being-with Others, By Tyler Chadwick
Creating in the Borderlands, By Stephen Carter
Sunstone Magazine, #181. Summer 2016
Tyrants of the Spirit, Memoir by Dorothy Allred Solomon
The Bigamist, Fiction by Eric Freeze
The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy: Haunting the Hearts and Heaven of Mormon Women and Men, Review Essay by Stephen Carter
Poly-Wood!: Mormon Polygamy in the Movies, By Randy Astle
Short Fiction
David Farland. “The King’s Despatcher,” In the anthology Unfettered II.
David Farland. “The Familiar”. In the anthology Alien Artifacts.
David Farland. “Death Toll.” In the anthology Asylum Archives, edited by Jaron Briggs.
Annaliese Lemmon. “The Legacy Left Behind.” The Flash Fiction Press, Dec. 4.
Eric James Stone. “Crowdfinding” Analog, Dec. 2016. “ When Maria witnesses a ten-year-old boy being abducted, she chases the van with her delivery drone, and calls for everyone on the net to help.”
Tangent: “A mystery involving the kidnapping of a young boy. The crime is caught by a passing drone, and Maria, the drone operator, gets involved in trying to catch the criminals. She is helped by various others using drones and other surveillance equipment as part of what is called a Smart Posse. It’s a fast-paced adventure, but breaks the cardinal rule of mysteries by not giving all the clues before the criminal is discovered. Still, the look at crowdsourced crime solving is a clever concept.” SFRevu: “Has a great little twist in it. Just perfect.”
Eric James Stone. “A Special Extra Christmas”. IGMS, December.
Brad Torgerson. “Hymns of the Mothers.” Brad Torgerson and Larry Correia. “A History of Sad Puppies.” In Forbidden Thoughts. Speculative fiction anthology, edited by Jason Rennie. Superversive Press, Jan. 2.
New Books and their reviews
Liz Adair. Death on the Red Rocks. Century Press, Oct. 31, 2016. Spider Latham Mystery #5.
Jennie Hansen (Meridian Magazine) 4 stars. “The author uses the terrain of the area both as a picturesque background and as an important element of the story. Slot canyons, towering cliffs, vast spaces, and the changeable weather that goes with them add not only a distinctive flavor, but create fascinating possibilities. Adair has a solid grip on the mixture of old and new that makes up the modern West. Death on the Red Rocks is an intriguing story with likable characters and a sound plot. The scene changes are a little abrupt, yet the story has a comfortable flow and is satisfying on multiple levels.”
Nicole Castroman. Blackhearts. Simon Pulse, Feb. 9, 2016. YA historical romance. Debut novel.
PW: “The infamous pirate Blackbeard gets a romantic origin story in this historical drama set in 1697 England. Edward “Teach” Drummond, son of a wealthy English merchant, and Anne Barrett, a biracial orphan working as a maid in the Drummond household, fall for each other despite numerous obstacles. Teach wants to defy his father and return to sea; Anne has been stealing from her employer in order to run away and start a new life. United by their distaste for their current predicaments, the two overcome an initial clash of personalities and station to form a deeper bond. When Teach is accused of piracy, and Anne’s financial circumstances improve, it seems as though neither will get the dream he or she desire, but hope springs eternal in Castroman’s debut. The author plays fast and loose with the legend of Blackbeard, taking advantage of the lack of available details about his early life to craft this soap operatic adventure. An entertaining if unsurprising page-turner that is clearly set up for future installments—which readers may hope are less landlocked than this outing.”
VOYA: “The origin story of a notorious pirate is a fascinating premise, and this book delivers a plausible theory about Teach’s background. Anne’s experiences as a biracial woman in England during the 1600s are interesting. The abuse and degradation of the servant class is explored in detail. Teach and Anne get to know each other before ultimately falling in love. Unfortunately, this novel has little action, distracting side plots, and secondary characters who are never fully fleshed out. Anne and Teach are not complex or sympathetic enough for readers to be fully invested in their story. Fans of historical romance will enjoy this story, but it will not draw new readers to the genre.”
SLJ: “This historical fiction story of the love between the man who will become Blackbeard and the girl of his dreams relies heavily on the romance elements to sustain it. Even though this takes place in the 1690s, there are very few historical aspects included. Teach comes off as a generic romantic lead and shows little of the qualities that will eventually make him one of the most feared pirates of that time. The book is left open-ended, with room for an eventual sequel. VERDICT For teen collections with a heavy romance readership; not an essential purchase for most.”
Kirkus: “The power imbalance between the two is largely elided. The story ends hanging in the air with Teach having just been dubbed Blackbeard, paving the way for a sequel. The author largely invents Edward as a romantic lead, giving few character-based hints of his piratical future. Little history, large romance”
Mette Ivie Harrison. For Time and All Eternities. Soho Crime, Jan. 10. Mystery. Linda Wallheim #3. Linda becomes enmeshed in a polygamous community after her son marries a woman from the community, and a murder happens in the community.
Salt Lake Tribune feature article, by Ellen Fagg Weist. “Soho Crime doesn’t release sales numbers, but associate publisher Juliet Grames characterizes the company as “breathtakingly happy with sales.” “We are very, very happy with the performance of this series and the feedback we’ve gotten from people,” says Grames, underscoring the press’s interest in mysteries that convey a sense of place and culture. “It’s clear she’s reached a lot of readers.” In the local book scene, “The Bishop’s Wife” mysteries are unusual in the way they mine contemporary Mormon and Utah issues to inspire their nearly real-time plots. “What I am doing more and more is chronicling the life of modern Mormonism,” says Harrison, noting “For Time’s” dedication to “my sister Mama Dragons,” an advocacy group for mothers of gay children. “And that meant I had to take the good and the bad. The good is there’s constantly more things to write about.” . . . The Wallheim series doesn’t seem nearly as popular among Mormon readers. Numbers are hard to confirm, as the book isn’t sold in the church-owned Deseret Book, while reviews in the liberal Mormon “bloggernacle” sphere have less of a glowing tone. “If you don’t mind a polemic, it’s a provocative piece of work,” summarizes Julie J. Nichols, a fiction writer and English professor at Utah Valley University, in her recent review of “For Time” for the Association of Mormon Letters blog. Polemic isn’t a critique that’s come up in mainstream reviews, Grames says, while adding that Harrison “has a point of view and something to say.” . . . “To her, baking lemon danishes for her son on a mission and checking out people’s alibis are extensions of the same self-acknowledged impulse to mother everyone,” Lewis says. Drawing upon a phrase from a beloved Mormon hymn, Lewis characterizes her as “embracing a radical ‘Do what is right; let the consequence follow’ philosophy” that doesn’t rule out digging a secret grave for a murder victim.”
Nancy Ross, Exponent II. “One of the best elements of the story is the way in which Harrison reveals the complexities of Mormon life in Utah. Linda Wallheim has to do a lot of careful navigation of religion and culture to be able to investigate, and that creates a lot of weighing of choices and approaches to communication. A recurring theme is that Linda has to negotiate belief, action, and marriage with a husband that sees the LDS Church in simpler, more straightforward terms than she does. The bishop-husband’s loyalty to the Church and love of his wife often come into conflict, and this is an especially important element of this novel . . . I highly recommend this book and feel that it would be a good read for Mormons and non-Mormons alike. Mainstream Mormon readers might see elements of Utah culture that they have not encountered. For those outside the Church, it offers a view of Mormonism that skips over superficialities and deals directly with the intricacies of everyday Mormon life.”
Julie Nichols, AML. “Recently I reviewed the first two in the series, where I noted that “For those of us who resolve contradictions between Mormon efforts at perfection and the realities of life differently than Linda, her bishop husband, and the people in their ward, the ‘[anthropologically neutral]’ point of view in The Bishop’s Wife can render Mormonism troubling.” I suggested that though Harrison’s novels are a good read, deserving of publication by a national press and deserving of a nomination for a 2015 AML award, they “should raise important and necessary questions about Mormonism itself in every thinking Mormon’s mind” because they render the majority of their Mormon characters as naively rigid, in some ways downright stupid, incapable of independent thought and critical judgment. These are not qualities I like to see my people characterized by. It doesn’t please me as a reader to see the novel used as a platform from which to show the low points of my tribe’s potential. And For Time and All Eternities, in my opinion, is even worse. It’s not so much that the mainstream Mormons come out looking thoughtless and superficial (though some of them do). It’s that the major discourse type Harrison has chosen to drive her novel is polemic.”
PW: “In Harrison’s thought-provoking third Linda Wallheim mystery, Linda, a conflicted Mormon wife and mother in Draper, Utah, has doubts about church doctrine that put a strain on her marriage. When her agnostic son, Kenneth, becomes engaged to Naomi Carter, whose physician father, Stephen, is the patriarch of a polygamist sect, Naomi asks Linda to visit her family’s compound and help determine whether her nine-year-old sister, Talitha, is being abused. At the compound, in a part of the state “off the map,” Linda discovers that not all of Stephen’s five wives are happy with their situation. When a murder occurs and the wives refuse to call the police for fear of losing their children, Linda once again turns sleuth. Never mind the contrived solution or that no one affected by the murder seems that distressed. The plight of a woman who’s struggling with a crisis of faith makes this Harrison’s most powerful and personal novel yet.”
Library Journal: “While examining family relationships and the secrets therein, Harrison’s mystery also offers a fascinating insider’s look at a faith that is strange and mysterious to outsiders. Linda’s struggle to accept church doctrines is an issue to which many readers can relate. Highly recommended.”
Kirkus: “Mormon housewife Linda Wallheim grapples with her faith as she delves into underground polygamy in her third investigation . . . Linda might make a comforting companion for devout Mormon women struggling with their leadership and history. Other readers, though, are likely to find the prose ham-fisted and didactic, the mystery unsatisfying, and the solution downright offensive.”
Christine Rappleye, Deseret News. “There are several plot elements in “For Time and All Eternities” that don’t quite work, making the book more focused on revealing a disjointed polygamous household. While Harrison indicates in the author notes her research into polygamous families, it feels that the characters fall into several stereotypes and perceptions, making them a bit flat. It is nice to see how Linda and Kurt work through some of their differences, but that’s not enough to carry the story.”
Elana Johnson. Mend. Self, Dec. 11. YA futuristic. Rift Walkers #2.
Sarah Blake Johnson. Crossings. Cedar Fort, January 10. YA fantasy. Debut novel. “Eliinka, a young, orphaned harp player, was born with the gift of influencing people around her with her music. But in her home country of Pelto, she’s forced to hide this ability to avoid persecution from government authorities. When she unwittingly contracts herself to Queen Jereni, the queen of the neighboring country with whom Pelto has been at war, she soon finds herself trying to reconcile the two countries. Can Eliinka use her musical gift to bring peace to Pelto and Viru while protecting the people she loves?” Author graduated from the Vermont College MFA program.
Josi S. Kilpack. The Lady of the Lakes: The True Love Story of Sir Walter Scott. Shadow Mountain, Jan. 3. Historical romance. “Historical Proper Romance” series. Based on the life of Walter Scott (1771-1832), a Scottish author and poet. About a love triangle between Scott, Mina Stuart, and Charlotte Carpenter.
PW: “Kilpack crafts a vivid and highly engrossing tale of first love versus best love in this chaste romance that follows the tumultuous love life of Scottish poet and novelist Sir Walter Scott. From the moment in 1791 when Walter meets Mina Stuart, he is captivated. Though he is far beneath her station and has a limp, years of correspondence, occasional parties, and some stolen moments have convinced Walter, a hopeless romantic, that Mina will overlook their financial differences and they will eventually marry. Despite warnings from his family that he is headed for heartbreak, Walter remains steadfast until Mina admits that she has chosen another, shocking him to his core. Only after a year has passed and he meets 26-year-old Charlotte Charpentier, an independent, sensible Frenchwoman, does he begin to hope that he may still have room for love in his life. Kilpack weaves abundant research about Scott’s life with her own ideas of likely scenarios to create a seamless, lively, and entertaining account of this literary hero.”
Booklist: “Excellent choice for both historical fiction fans and readers who crave sweetly romantic love stories. Kilpack’s impeccably researched and vividly written novel, the latest in A HIstorical Proper Romance series about the loves of true-life figures will delight anyone who want to learn more about Scott before he was the celebrated historian, poet, and novelist, and was instead simply a young man in love.”
Kirkus: “Historical romance author Kilpack moves into romantic biographical fiction . . . The story is interesting but slow-paced and without the intense conflict most fiction thrives on. The limited historical facts are fleshed out successfully, though stretching the tale out sometimes makes it lag. A low-key, slow-paced romance that may engage readers looking for a sweet, chaste historical read.”
Mindy (5 stars): “Another fantastic book by Kilpack . . . I enjoyed getting to know each character when the story would change point of views. I enjoyed the progression of the story, showing bits and pieces from each character, helped moved the story along perfectly . . . I absolutely adored Charlotte, I instantly loved her character. I appreciated how she wanted to be her own person and wanted to learn how to support herself. I also enjoyed the end of the book, the details of what was actually known about a certain event, and what was added by the author.”
Lynne Larson. Witness in the Dark. Covenant, Jan. 1. Thriller. Jennie Hansen: 4 stars.
Linsey Leavitt. Commander-in-Cheese #4: A Birthday Suit. Random House, Jan. 10. Early readers, illustrated.
Heather B. Moore. Falling for Sydney. Self, Dec. 9. Contemporary romance novella. First in a 3-part series.
Anita Stansfield. Color of Love. Covenant, Jan. 1. Victorian romance. British aristocracy and an interracial (White English and Indian) romance.
Erin Summerill. Ever the Hunted. Harcourt Childrens Books, Dec. 27. YA fantasy /romance. Debut, first in a series.
PW: “Not long after the death of her father, a renowned bounty hunter for the king of Malam, 17-year-old Britta Flannery is arrested for poaching and sentenced to death herself. When Britta is offered her life in exchange for tracking down her father’s murderer, she accepts but is shocked to learn that his alleged killer is Cohen Mackay—her father’s apprentice, her best friend, and her first love. Britta’s quest takes her to the neighboring kingdom of Shaerdan, home to female magic-weavers known as Channelers, as well as Britta’s unknown maternal relatives. Debut author Summerill makes use of familiar story elements—avenging a parent’s death, a potential betrayal by an estranged first love, a main character with unrealized power—but incorporates them into an richly described world populated by engaging characters. The mystery of who killed Britta’s father is disappointingly transparent, but Britta’s grit and tense interactions with Cohen make her journey to find answers gratifying. Plenty of questions remain in the final pages, setting the stage for the next book in the Clash of Kingdoms series.”
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books: “The setting and premise are generic retreads of female-led fantasy books, and Britta’s voice doesn’t bring much ingenuity or spark. Her worrying over Cohen’s feeling for her is frustratingly repetitive and it breaks the established rule that she can sense people’s truths (you’d think she’d get some hint of his, especially after he directly confesses his affection). More intriguing is Enat, a gnarled, gruff, and witty old woman they meet on the road, and Britta’s connection to her is both surprising and sweet. Fans of Boecker’s The Witch Hunter may enjoy the similar plot elements and themes here.”
SLJ: “This debut fantasy offers an engaging quest through a well-developed new world. The mystery elements keep the plot moving at a steady pace, and the narrative is punctuated with occasional action sequences. The heroine, an outcast from her society, is the best developed of the characters, with much of the novel devoted to her internal monologue. Fans of epic fantasy quests, such as Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” Christopher Paolini’s Eragon, or Kristin Cashore’s “Graceling” trilogy, will love this outing. VERDICT This series opener is a must-purchase where epic fantasy quests are popular; an additional purchase everywhere else.”
Kirkus: “Archer Britta is a familiar type of heroine, and the majority of the predictable plot twists happen right on schedule, but the writing quality is good. The strong climax sets up a cliffhanger for the sequel, which will not be unwelcome. Though not terribly innovative, still a solid choice for fantasy readers who prefer a large helping of adventure with their romance.”
Rosalyn Eves (5 stars): “Although the idea of a girl being forced to hunt the boy she used to love isn’t a totally new one, Erin’s approach to the story manages to make it feel fresh and new. She does such a great job building the complicated relationship between Britta and Cohen, and the story had just the right touch of romance. The end of the story has me intensely curious about what happens next! A great new young adult fantasy.”
Carol Warburton. Petticoat Spy. Covenant, Jan. 1. Historical romance. Massachusetts, 1775. Revolutionary war spies.
Reviews of older books
Scott Abbott. Immortal for Quite Some Time (Steve Evans, BCC). “Is it a memoir? Abbott explicitly disclaims this in a preface: “This is not a memoir,” he says, saying the book is a “fraternal meditation on the question, ‘Are we friends, my brother?’”. Yet even that descriptor is both incomplete and misleading, as I’ll discuss. Is the book a collection of Abbott’s pontifications on various LDS topics? Yes, it is that, but it is significantly more than this as well. If a meditation, the book is also incomplete, as Abbott’s book does not necessarily bring a level of mindfulness or self-reflection. Is it a history? It fails at that as well, leaving out key figures and telling us a partial view of major events. I believe that Immortal for Quite Some Time is best viewed as a mystery, in two senses: the author piecing together his brother’s life and what that fraternity means, but also the mystery of the author to himself and to the reader. It is the best book I read all year. Abbott’s brother John died of AIDS in 1991 in a disheveled room in Boise. Summoned to the scene, Abbott witnesses his brother’s body (“his feet are livid”) and takes possession of artifacts from his brother’s life, from a Miller Genuine Draft clock to various notebooks. Memories of his brother are interwoven with those artifacts but also with present and past stories from siblings and importantly, their mother, a devout LDS woman. Abbott sketches his memories from 1950 through the present day, to reconstruct the image of his brother, to connect with some vestigial meaning of fraternal love . . . This is not an easy book for an active Mormon to read. It is written by someone who no longer believes. There is alcohol. There is sexuality. There is skepticism and scorn for church leaders (Boyd K. Packer receives the bulk of this). Reading this book is like engaging with a friend who no longer believes and is leaving. How will you react to these people in your life? Immortal will test you. I don’t mean to sound antagonistic to Abbott or this wonderful, frustrating, troubling, vitally important book. I believe the book shows us the divide in front of us when it comes to understanding other human beings. It shows us that in the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can’t see, but more than this — in the heart is hidden joy, hidden faith, hidden struggle, hidden sexuality, hidden identity. Everything is hiding there.”
Sian Ann Bessey. To Win A Woman’s Heart (Jennie Hansen, Meridian Magazine) 5 stars. “To Win a Lady’s Heart is Historical Romance at its best. The romance is tender and sweet, but doesn’t overpower the historical aspects of the story. The story is also a powerful Intrigue with the mysteries of who attacked Sir Lukas and the theft of the wool. This well-written, captivating novel will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers.”
J. Scott Bronson. The Agitated Heart. Steven Peck, Goodreads. 5 stars. “J. Scott Bronson’s beautiful, “The Agitated Heart,” is unforgettable. Characters so richly drawn, and so completely rendered, that it made it easy to slide into their lives, each of which felt relevant and genuine. I think what amazed me the most was how well he carried off the nuances of lived life–the complexity, the uncertainty of action and feeling, the misalignments between what we really want to be and what we are. This is not just great Mormon literature (and it is that) but great literature period. Well written, richly imagined, and expertly executed. I don’t think a work of literature has affected me so deeply in a long time. And by my lights, no one, ever, has captured the atonement so well or deeply as Bronson does in this novel. Don’t neglect this one. It makes the world a finer place.”
Scott Hales. The Garden of Enid, pt. 1 (Andrew Hamilton, Approaching Zion). “Amidst all of this loss, pain, and suffering we really needed 2016 to give us something fun and lighthearted, something to inspire us, something that we could love, something that could make us think, laugh, and happy cry all at once. That something is “The Garden of Enid: Adventures of a Weird Mormon Girl” by Scott Hales, published by Greg Kofford Books . . . I frequently post Scott Hales comics on my Facebook feed and have even used them in lessons at church. I love them. I loved this book. In fact, it was the only thing that I specifically asked for as a present this Christmas . . . Hales’ depiction of Enid’s questions and struggles as a modern teenage Mormon girl are so realistic that in his introduction he writes that he had readers contacting him thinking that Enid was a real girl and offering her words of encouragement. I think that this is because Enid is immediately relatable. She has the kind of problems and questions that I see my own daughters and other young women (and often boys too) struggling with. For instance, as she was reading my copy of the book my wife burst out laughing and then handed it to me opened to the December 29th comic “Enid vs the Sacrament Meeting Talk.” I immediately recognized one of my teenage daughters when Enid explained that she had been asked to give a talk in church on “How to prepare for eternal marriage” which she then explains is, “tough , y’know considering I’m the girl who’s never had a conversation with a guy for longer than 30 seconds…””
Scott Hales. The Garden of Enid, pt. 1. Steven Peck, Goodreads. 5 stars. “I’m at a loss how to convey how deeply The Garden of Enid: Adventures of a Weird Mormon Girl affected me. Enid is witty, insightful, ardent, and captures many of the particular and quirky aspects of Mormonism. More than that, I found myself drawn into this fully realized character in unexpected ways. Her wholehearted engagement with life as she tries to find her place in the world had me rooting for her success over and over. I ended up genuinely caring about Enid and her story. Hales has created a world that will be an enduring addition to Mormon Literature. Don’t miss this delightful work.”
Scott Hales. The Garden of Enid, vol. 1. (Mahonri Stewart). “I was attracted to its mix of whimsical humor; literary undergirding; soul searching pathos; and obscure references to Mormon history, arts, and culture. Just blend up all my favorite things into one tasty smoothy, whydontcha? The writing is whip-smart, the references often subtle, and the humor human, humane, and hilarious . . . What I’ve especially liked in The Garden of Enid: Part One that I didn’t get from the webcomic (besides the format of a book, which I find much easier to read and follow) is the Selected Notes and Commentary that is included in the back of the book. It give insight into the meaning invested, and the process Hales went through, as Garden of Enid made its evolution. The book also contains unpublished comics that weren’t included in the original run, for one reason or another . . . Scott Hales is the closest thing we have to a Mormon Schulz and his characters deserve the accolades they have received.”
Ashley Mae Hoiland. One Hundred Birds Taught Me to Fly (Nancy Ross, Exponent II) 5 stars. “It is a truly beautiful book. I instantly fell in love with the writing style, which reminded me of Brown Girl Dreaming by Jaqueline Woodson (2014). Hoiland’s book is not in verse, but it reads as though it could be. I appreciated the careful crafting of language and the faceless line-drawn illustrations throughout the book. Before I had read very far, I recommended the book to others and saw friends gush about the prose on Facebook. I have read my fair share of books written by women on faith and religion. Women’s faith memoirs are a popular genre of religion writing these days and have been keeping me afloat spiritually for several years. This book falls into that category, though it does not seek to tell stories in linear way. Hoiland’s ability to weave narratives and themes together with poetic prose is the strength of the book. The style is impeccable . . . She states that she wants to tell the reader “that I’ve both found and lost God a hundred times over” (p. 73), but she does not actually go there. For myself, I read women’s faith memoirs precisely because they go there. I find comfort in those books because they speak to my experiences. The author describes overwhelming moments of parenting and responsibility, but she only ever glances at the difficulties of faith while affirming her commitment to Mormonism . . . This book is worth reading for its language, creative style, and illustrations and would make a great gift for Mormon family members and friends.”
Kristen McKendry. The Governess (Jennie Hansen, Meridian Magazine) 4 stars. “The characters in this novel are not the usual ones found in Regency era novels. It’s easy to sympathize with Kate and there are times the reader would like to shake Alonzo even though he’s a charming, delightful character. The background is well-researched and shows the painful social chasm between the “ton” and the average to poverty stricken English citizens. It also subtly reveals the bias and bigotry that was rampant toward minorities. The story is not the frivolous romp of parties, balls, and clothes that mark Regency novels, but instead explores lifetime dreams or goals. Where do they originate? Why do people cling to them? And are they what we really want or need in the long run? When and why should dreams change?”
Kelly Nelson. The Woman with No Name (Jennie Hansen, Meridian Magazine) 4 stars. “The characters are likable and interesting with believable dialog. The plot is more situational and action oriented than based on character development. It begins with a strong attention getter, then continues with escalating action to a satisfying climax. The romance portion of the story is developed slowly, is clean and fun. The story will appeal to Romantic Suspense readers beginning with the opening mystery and the intriguing amnesia premise.”
Carol Lynn Pearson. The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy (Rebecca J, BCC). “Carol Lynn Pearson is a poet, not a scholar. This is not to say that Pearson doesn’t know what she’s talking about, that she hasn’t studied the relevant issues. Obviously, she has. But she approaches this project as part memoir, part meditation on what polygamy means to contemporary Mormons and what is required to build what she calls a “partnership Zion,” rather than a patriarchal one. Possibly Pearson’s greatest strength is her ability to convey her deep love and appreciation for Mormonism, and particularly for Joseph Smith . . . If you’re expecting a meticulous history or an academic treatise, you will be sorely disappointed. But if there’s another, better book about the impact of polygamy on contemporary Mormons, I’m unaware of it, and that’s actually an important point. More people will read Pearson’s book than a 600-page tome on the history and sociology of polygamy. (I think 600 pages would about cover it, plus endnotes.) A more scholarly book might be more appreciated among certain circles, but I think Pearson’s book is worth taking seriously for what it is–a reasonably accessible and much-needed conversation starter about what polygamy means to Mormons now and in the future.”
Carol Lynn Pearson. The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy Stephen Carter, Sunstone). “The book shifts between chapters of Pearson’s own wrestle with polygamy . . . and all of it is rendered in the poetic, compassionate—yet passionate—voice she has used to address so many of Mormonism’s difficult issues. If you have ever struggled with polygamy’s persistence in Mormonism, you will find a wise friend here. If you have always accepted polygamy, you will find much to challenge your thinking, all of it rooted in a deep love of Mormonism.” Here is a running list of other reviews, gathered by Times and Seasons.
Dan Wells. Extreme Makeover. Jessica Day George. “Leave it to Dan to write a book that is simultaneously laugh-out-loud funny and so terrifying that I almost felt sick when I finished it. What makes Dan’s books so great is that he not only has an amazing gift for writing characters, dialogue, and plot (you know, all the basics) but he comes up with these ideas that are so ridiculous you want to shake your head, and then he meticulously shows you how plausible it all is. Suddenly it’s your new worst nightmare, and you have Dan to thank for it. If you haven’t read any of Dan’s books, I recommend this one. Not as gory as the I Am Not A Serial Killer books, a standalone, and utterly chilling, this is a great place to start.”
Dan Wells. Extreme Makeover (Bryce Moore) 5 stars. “It’s rare that I come across a book that’s unique. As in, something unlike anything I’ve ever read before. But an apocalyptic science fiction book where the world is destroyed by a hand cream lotion? Yeah. I dare you to find me another one like it. The concept sounds ridiculous, and Dan Wells clearly knows it is. He plays it for laughs now and then, winking to his audience, but the amazing thing to me about this book is that he managed to think through the implications well enough to make the rest of the book (other than those occasional winks) play out realistically enough to cause me to question if something like this could actually happen . . . I loved the book and finished it in under a day. If you’re looking for something fun, disturbing, and unique, check it out!”
Cameron Wright. The Orphan Keeper (Salt Lake Tribune feature story). “A fictionalized account of a true story about Chellamuthu, a 7-year-old boy who was kidnapped in his native India, taken to a Christian orphanage hours away from his home and eventually adopted by an unsuspecting Utah family. They raised him as their son, changing his name to Taj Rowland.”
Theater
Katherine P. Brown. Princess Academy. Kensington Theatre , South Jordan, Utah, Dec. 9-21, 2016. Based on the novel by Shannon Hale. Note that is a different adaption from the one adapted and performed by the BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts in 2015. This one, adapted by Katherine P. Brown, is a musical adaption. Deseret News feature story.
Salt Lake Tribune: “Playwright Katherine Brown translated the story into a full-blown musical production. The first-time script writer and mother of three young children has a background in piano performance and choral music, and as she adapted Hale’s “lyrical and poetical” descriptions of main characters — late at night while the kids were asleep — Brown found herself creating melodies to accompany the dialogue. She then turned the tunes over to Michelle Willis, director of the Kensington Symphony Orchestra, who arranged them for the theater company’s pit orchestra.” Also see feature stories in: Broadway World and City Weekly.
Tim Slover, Virtue. February. Plan-B Theatre Company, Rose Wager Center, Salt Lake City, Feb. 16-26. Premire. “Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th century Abbess who wrote the Western World’s first opera and had the ear of the Pope, dared to ask: Is it possible to bridge the gap between spirituality and sexuality?
Poet, composer, writer, herbologist, midwife, and Christian mystic, Abbess Hildegard would have been a revolutionary in any era—now as well as in the Twelfth Century when she lived. Her vigorous, otherworldly life raises profound questions: In a battle between spiritual conviction and institutional rules, which should win? What counts for more: theology or experience? And especially, who may we love?” Slover on Hildegard.
J. Omar Hansen. Clever Jack and the Pirates. Named a finalist in the next link program in the New York Musical Festival (NYMF). Hansen will spend much of January and February in New York City preparing the production.
Film
Love Everlasting. Straight to video (Amazon, iTunes, etc), December. Rob Diamond, director, writer. Stars Emily Proctor (The West Wing), Cristie Burke (Breaking Dawn), Scott Christopher. Teenage romance.
The Expanse. Syfy Network. The futuristic Syfy series “The Expanse,” includes a subplot that harks back to LDS Church history (Salt Lake Tribune). “In Episode 4, we meet an unnamed Mormon official (Peter Spence) and learn that the church is having a huge ship built that will take members to a planet that’s orbiting a distant star. In the books, the 23rd-century LDS leaders wish to escape persecution and find a place where they can live their religion … which is, of course, how Utah was settled. The ship is named the Nauvoo, after the city in Illinois that the Mormons fled as they began their trek to what is now Utah. Work is progressing on the Nauvoo, but the church official is there to replace project supervisor Col. Frederick Lucius Johnson (Chad L. Coleman). It’s a seemingly minor plot point, but it’s clearly going to progress in future episodes. And there just might be a lot of future episodes.” Times and Seasons discussion.
Bestsellers
Dec. 18, 25, Jan 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Stephanie Meyer. The Chemist
USA Today: #53, #66, #69, #57, #70, #64 (9 weeks)
PW Hardcover: #10, #13, #12, #10, #6, #8, #7 (10 weeks). 14,030, 11,892, 13,647, 19,214, 8542 units. 115,010 total for 2016. 2017: 7929, 7538 units. 15,467 total.
NYT Hardcover: #11, #11, #14, #12, #7, #9, #8 (10 weeks)
James Dashner. The Fever Code (The Maze Runner series)
USA Today: #148, #160, #145, #96, x, x (9 weeks)
PW Children’s: #24, #12, #13, #10, #15, ?, #24 (16 weeks). 7181, 7714, 9543, 13,425, 4545 units. 127,516 total. 2017: 2793, 2117 units. 4970 total.
NYT Children’s Series: #7, #9, #7, #6, #8, #10, x (192 weeks)
Richard Paul Evans. The Mistletoe Secret
USA Today: #120, x, x, x, x, x (3 weeks)
PW Hardcover: #16, #17, #20, x, x (5 weeks). 10,400, 9262, 9000 units. 59,604 total.
NYT Hardcover: x (off after 2 weeks)
Kathryn Purdie. Burning Glass
NYT YA E-book: x, x, x, x, x, x, #1 (1 week)
Kiersten White. And I Darken
NYT YA E-book: x, x, x, x, x, x, #4 (1 week)
Shannon Hale and Dean Hale. The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde
PW Children’s: x, x, #24, x, x, x (1 week). 6077 units.
Brandon Sanderson. Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection
PW Fantasy: #1, #2
Just picked up Erin Summerill’s Ever The Hunted. Nice collection of other ones to put on my list. Thanks!