THE
INDEPENDENT BOOK REVIEWS
By
Rich Rogers
“THE HANGMAN’S DAUGHTER.” Oliver
Potzsch. 2008; English Translation, 2010. Trade paperback. 431 pages. $18.00
On
a spring morning at the Lech River in Bavaria, near the town of Schongau, a
young boy is found dead in the river – the son of one of the town’s wagon
drivers. After the boy is pulled from the river and checked over, a symbol is
found carved on his back, and the cry of “witchcraft” is raised immediately. One
of the town’s midwives is accused of being a witch, and, ironically, it is the
town hangman, Jakob Kuisl, who saves her from immediate lynching.
Despite
his violent trade, he’s a man of surprising depth, wisdom, compassion and
understanding. A former soldier and son of Schongau’s previous hangman, Jakob
is well-versed in the arts of healing, as well, earning much of his money
selling potions and helping with the sick. And he’s convinced the midwife is
completely innocent. But he’s playing against a stacked deck. More children are
killed, some disappear, and the town clerk and council are convinced the
midwife is guilty and want a confession tortured out of her by Walspurgnacht – the
night in which witches supposedly dance and cavort with the Devil – which is
fast approaching.
Jakob’s
headstrong daughter, Magdalena, and the son of the town doctor are also
convinced the midwife is innocent. This trio makes an interesting crew as they
work feverishly to solve the mystery of the deaths and who’s behind them and
why.
This
was author Oliver Potzsch’s first novel, and it’s a tour de force.
Potzsch
gives his readers action and mystery aplenty, while at the same time giving a
morality play every bit as important as something such as Miller’s “The
Crucible” or Eco’s “The Name of the Rose,” but far less heavy-handed in the
case of the former and less philosophical but equally deep in the case of the
latter.
Credit
must also be given to translator Lee Chadeayne, who did a masterful job of
translating the novel from German to English with very little awkwardness. Being
able to keep dramatic tension in such a story through translation is a tough
job, and Chadeayane’s work is exceptional.
Potzsch
takes you on a twisting and turning journey in his mystery, with each twist
maddening, frightening and satisfying at the same time, adding generous
historical details (mind you, it was a very gritty, even grimy time) along the
way. The details never bog down the story but contribute in every way.
The
good books always make the rest you have to wade through worth it all. And this
one is definitely worth it. My buddy, Doug, won again.
“POP.” Gordon Korman. 2009. Blazer+Bray.
Trade Paperback. 260 pages. $8.99
Gordon
Korman has moved into the place once held by Chris Crutcher – my favorite young
adult novelist. (Crutcher lost it when he became an intolerant scold, unable to
see anyone’s point of view beyond his own.) Korman’s books have it all: heart,
great storytelling, believable characters, a brisk pace and his trademark sense
of humor.
Marcus
Jordan is the new kid in town and doesn’t know anyone. To practice football – he
was the star J.V. quarterback in his old school – he spends his afternoons in
the park, hoping to try out for the team when the school year begins. There he
meets Charlie, a guy in his 50s – and the best football player Marcus has ever
met.
Eventually,
he learns that Charlie is Charlie Popovich, a retired NFL player – a former
linebacker known as the “King of Pop” for his punishing hits on opponents. There
are things Marcus can’t figure out about Charlie, but he doesn’t think too hard
about them. Charlie has a way of getting under Marcus’ skin – in a good way.
When
school starts, Marcus is up against Charlie’s son, Troy, for the QB position,
and right away things go bad – no one wants to mess with a winning combination
and risk the school’s potential second undefeated season. When Troy’s
ex-girlfriend and head cheerleader, Alyssa, sets her eyes on Marcus, things get
worse.
As
the season progresses, Marcus realizes something is wrong with Charlie and his
kids don’t want anyone to find out.
With
“Pop,” Korman skillfully blends a fan’s homage to the game of football –
capturing all the excitement and intensity of the game – with a warning about
football’s dangers. And he artfully mixes in his humor, which helps lighten the
tone, when needed.
For
any fan of football, this is a great book, no matter the age. And for boys who
think there aren’t books out there they’d be interested in, this is proof to
the contrary.
“PRINCESS OF THE SILVER WOODS.” Jessica
Day George. 2012. Bloomsbury. Hardcover. 322 pages. $16.99
It’s
fun to play with fairy tales – retell them, recast them and reinvent them. Robin
McKinley made her mark with her retelling of “Beauty and the Beast.” Ellen
Datlow and Terri Winding created a whole series of books with well-known
fantasy writers rewriting world-famous stories.
In
the vein of McKinley, Utah-based author Jessica Day George has recast the story
of “Little Red Riding Hood,” mixing it with “The Twelve Dancing Princesses.”
Starting
off with a bang, Princess Petunia is kidnapped. But it was an accident. Sort
of. (George deftly mixes wit and humor in her stories.) The leader of the
Wolves of the Westfalian Woods, Oliver, didn’t mean to, but when she saw his
face … well, what’s a young bandit leader to do? Determined to make it right,
Oliver decides to confess all to the king. But things get complicated because
Petunia and her 11 older sisters were all cursed by the King Under the Stone to
dance in his ballroom every night. Even though the King was killed, Petunia is
having disturbing dreams once more about the ballroom underground. And when she
disappears, it falls to the young bandit lord to rescue her and her sisters.
George
is obviously having fun with the old fairy tales, and she’s created interesting,
vibrant characters that are full of life. She also adds in interesting, un-thought-of
details and pieces of political intrigue which flesh out the fairy tale world. There
are unexpected events and twists that surprise – even if you think you know
what’s coming next.
The
villains have just a touch of sympathy – and the heroes a touch of larceny. Perfect.
The dangers are chilling and palpable. Her twist on the grandmother and wolf is
fantastic. Even dealing with 11 sisters, each has just enough detail attached
so that none is a caricature.
Hans
Christian Anderson didn’t write this fairy tale so, of course, there’s a happy
ending – but it comes at a cost.
Now
I’m going back and reading more of George’s books.
Rich
Rogers welcomes questions and comments from readers. You can reach him through
this paper or by e-mail at 62rich@gmail.com.