Because everyone loves a good story
Harry Potter, Personally
At long last I’m breaking my silence about Harry Potter.
Why haven’t I written about this groundbreaking series that I love before now? The short answer is that there’s always been so much more to think about and read, I suppose. I’m never one to jump on a bandwagon. I wait until the wagon’s long gone, the dust has settled, and the tracks are almost imperceptible before considering a fad. If it was worthwhile to begin with, it will still be worthwhile after the wild-eyed fans have moved on to their next obsession, leaving space for us skeptical curmudgeons.
Worth the Wait
Anyway, whether by busyness, patience, or sheer stubbornness, I didn’t even read the books until 18 years after The Sorcerer’s Stone was published. But guess what? I was right! They were still worthwhile! Since then I’ve read through the series twice and listened to it on audiobook twice. That’s quite a commitment—4,224 physical pages or 117 audio hours each time, or so the internets tell me.
And after all that, I’m finally making time to discuss my thoughts here. If you haven’t read the series, now may be a good time to call in very, very sick and devote the next 117 hours to listening to the books. I’d hate to spoil anything for you.
Harry Potter, Personally
For those of you who are already immersed in all things Potter, you know that writing about the series is like adding a drop of water to an ocean. What could possibly be left to say about this wildly-popular series? Surely, after a quarter of a century, it’s all been said before.
Well, I can’t promise to present completely novel ideas (see what I did there?), but I do promise to make it personal. This mini-series won’t be a critique or summary; it will be a peek into why I enjoy Harry Potter.
A Glimpse into the Future
So what’s the plan? With such a long series, I can’t hope to write an exhaustive commentary. Instead, I’d like to look at just a few topics that come to mind when I think about Harry Potter, things that make the series worth multiple reads. Here they are in order of their planned appearance on the blog:
Concerns—As a Christian I’ve heard a wide spectrum of concerns about the series. I’d like to begin by addressing a few of these from my perspective as a believer, reader, teacher, and mother.
Storyline—Rowling managed to craft a compelling storyline that delves deeper in each successive book, culminating in an ending that satisfies.
Characters—The story is supported by believable, (mostly) likeable, relatable characters who provide plenty of relational interest.
Heroism—Finally and best of all, the books (usually) model character qualities of a true hero in the actions of Harry and his friends.
Enjoyment Without Obsession
If you’re a Past Watchful Dragons regular, you know that there are a few things I’m obsessed with: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, being outside, Jesus, and my family. In no particular order, of course. I really, really enjoy the Harry Potter series, but I can’t honestly say I’m obsessed. I’m not sure if that makes you trust me more or less, but I felt like I should admit it up front.
So while my readings of the series are far from making me an expert, hopefully they qualify me to share a few decently-informed opinions. I hope you’ll stick around for the ride, because I’m pretty excited about it. As always, I’d love to hear from you! Dissenting opinions, scathing denouncements, or even agreements are always welcome in the comments.
Until next time, friends!
Thanksgiving at Christmas
Hello, dear friends! It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and I hope you’ve been enjoying it to the fullest. I know it’s Christmas time, but I’ve actually been thinking about thanksgiving—not the holiday, but the action. Believe it or not, these musings were inspired by the Christmas movies I’ve been watching.
This year I noticed a common theme in three vastly-different Christmas stories: A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life,and the Home Alone movies. Think I’m crazy? Maybe, but not about this.
Ebenezer, George, and Kevin
All three stories center around a man (or boy) who has an important lesson to learn. At first glance they seem to have nothing in common, but consider their attitudes. All three characters are discontent and miserable, and they’re determined to make other people feel the same way. In short, they’re not thankful.
But they don’t stay that way. Dickens’ A Christmas Carol shows Scrooge turning from a curmudgeon to a saint literally overnight. Was it because his life had changed? Nope. Just his perspective. In It’s a Wonderful Life, George Bailey has a similar experience when he gets a glimpse of the positive impact his seemingly-terrible life has made. Even rotten little Kevin McCallister experiences an epiphany when he gets his wish to make his family disappear. Life without them isn’t nearly as great as he’d expected, and he realizes he loves them after all.
Mary’s Grief and Glory
It’s no coincidence that three of the most enduring Christmas classics share the theme of discovering thankfulness. I tend to focus on what I want to change rather than the blessings I’ve been given, and I think this tendency is pretty universal. But Christmas gives us time to stop and reflect on gifts—not just the ones under the tree, but the ones that God has given us as well. Whether they’re the gifts we want or the gifts God knows we need, the day will come when we will be able to thank him for them.
The central character of the Christmas story is clearly Jesus. We celebrate the humble beginnings of his brave and selfless rescue plan, and we rejoice. But another important character is Mary. I wonder how she felt when she brought Jesus into this dirty, broken world. What went through her mind as she watched him grow to become worshiped by some and despised by others? What was in her heart as she witnessed the brutality of the cross and the incomprehensible miracle of the resurrection? She certainly rejoiced at the news that she would bear God’s Son, but the angel warned that a sword would pierce her heart. With so much glory entwined with so much grief, I’m sure sorrow and thankfulness often wrestled inside her. That’s a feeling we can all relate to.
My Grief and Glory
Recently we celebrated my son’s fourth birthday. With his birth being just five day before Christmas, Isaiah gave me ample reason to contemplate the miracle of birth, the humility of Jesus’ humanity, and the endurance of sweet Mary. I chose to birth Isaiah at home, and I enjoyed 46 hours of labor before his massive melon head came bursting into the world. He was immediately surrounded by love, snuggled up to his daddy and me, covered warmly, and tended to with all the care he needed. There was nothing lacking, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing. In contemplating his birth, I have so much to be thankful for.
My second baby, Eva, will turn two in February. We had hoped for a second home birth, but as the ultrasounds showed some abnormalities, we opted for a hospital birth instead. I was heartbroken at the loss of a peaceful home birth. She came a month early and had surgery the morning after she was born. The next two months were spent in NICU. My husband and I had to take turns visiting her because of Covid protocols. It was hard to hold her with all the tubes, cords, and wires dangling from her little body. For weeks at a time it felt like she wasn’t improving and we’d never get out of there.
Grasping for Gratitude
With Isaiah’s birth, my thankfulness was instant, complete, and clearly warranted. Despite the long labor and difficult arrival, I had a healthy boy in my arms. My heart was full of gratefulness. But with Eva’s birth, I had to look deeper to find cause for thankfulness. It was well worth the search, though, because just under the fear and sorrow was a wealth of blessings waiting to be acknowledged.
Eva’s condition—while far from idea—was operable. Eva made a slow but complete recovery. Family and friends supported us with love and help. Because she was fed via IV for well over a month, I was able to donate thousands of ounces of my milk to babies who needed it. And through it all, God taught us things that we could never have learned another way. God had given us not what we wanted but what he knew we needed.
Thanksgiving at Christmas
Our lives are a mixed bag, aren’t they? Some seasons are full of joy, and others seem like nothing but difficulty. But through it all, our kind Savior is at work doing more than we can see. Mary knew this, and we can experience it too. We can’t choose what happens, but we can choose our perspective. Will we be the Scrooge of Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? The George Bailey before his visit from an angel or afterward? Frankly, I hope we aren’t like Kevin McCallister at all because he didn’t even apologize to his mom for being such a brat in the first movie. Regardless, we all have much to be thankful for, so I hope you’ll join me in celebrating thanksgiving this Christmas.
Bedtime Books and Goodnight Moon
I hope someone read to you when you were young. It’s such a gift for little ones. My parents said they used to read to me so often that I would memorize the picture books. They said they’d tease me by trying to change the words, but I would always correct them (thereby proving that I’ve been insufferable know-it-all since birth).
Bedtime Book Routine
My husband and I often read books to our kids throughout the day, but sometimes things get busy and we don’t get around to it. But even busy days end with bedtime books. Many, many bedtime books. I think our bedtime book routine is getting stretched longer every night.
And do you know what? That’s (mostly) fine with me. There are more relaxing ways to spend that time, but there aren’t many better ways.
After much reading, many shenanigans, and even more rigmarole, the time finally comes for the last book of the night. By then, the kids may be wound up, but we adults are plum tuckered out. No doubt about it—it’s time for those feisty little angels to get their halos in bed.
The Sacred Last Book
That’s why the last book of the night really matters. Frankly, I want the last book to be borderline boring. Each successive page of that sucker should add a 10-pound weight to my kid’s eyelids. The last page had better be greeted with stillness and snores. Most likely mine, but hopefully theirs, too.
That’s a lot to ask of a book, but there are a handful of gems that can be counted on to do the trick over here. Ole Risom and Richard Scarry’s I Am a Bunny, Brianna Caplan Sayres’ Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?, and a few Usborne books are some regular superstars in our house.
But lately we’ve found another contender for Best Last Book of the Night: Goodnight Moon.
Awesome for 85 Years
Goodnight Moon was written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd way back in 1947, a fact which I myself just learned. Of course good things are still being published today, and some of it is even last-book worthy (like The Night is Deep and Wide, by Gillian Sze and Sue Todd). But Goodnight Moon meets all of my qualifications for a great last book:
- Lyrical and repetitive
- Not long or tedious
- Calm and soothing
And—bonus—the pictures get darker as the pages go on. By the last page, the room in the book is dim, still, and peaceful. It’s the perfect segue for switching out the lamp, depositing the squirming child into the crib, and listening to her babble and bump while I hit the sack myself.
The Hidden Magic
If you try to dissect the appeal of Goodnight Moon, you’ll likely end up scratching your head. Half the pictures are plain black and white, and the other half are of the same scene again and again. Some of the items being wished goodnight are outdated. (A bowl of mush? An old nanny in a rocking chair?) And, frankly, there’s no plot, no moral to the story.
So why on earth is Goodnight Moon an undisputed classic? I think it’s partly nostalgia, partly skill, and partly magic. The words are methodical, lulling, almost hypnotizing. They can (and should) be murmured slowly. The plotless story and predictable illustrations form a cozy combination that’s sure to quiet little minds and bodies. If Goodnight Moon doesn’t knock ‘em out, then they’re just not tired.
An Enduring Classic
The book market is ever-changing. Today’s agents and publishers would most likely reject Goodnight Moon on the (justifiable) grounds that nothing happens. Nevertheless, someone way back in 1947 saw potential in the book, and we’ve all been the richer for it. Who knows—maybe they even saw the magic. Either way, it’s a bedtime favorite around here, so I’m thankful the book made it into print many moons ago.
I know a screen is a rotten substitute for a book, but if you don’t have Goodnight Moon on hand, try giving this video a watch. Just make sure you’re not driving or operating heavy machinery at the time. It’s sure to make you say, “Goodnight, Moon.”
God Uses Boneheads
I can tell you from observation and from personal experience that God uses boneheads to do his work. In fact, His options are pretty limited—we’re all boneheads.
This is true not just in modern America but across the globe and throughout time. Just look at the sort of riffraff He used in the Bible! (With one significant Exception, of course.) As an example, let’s look at the life of one important patriarch: Abraham.
The O.G. Patriarch
Currently I’m re-reading the Bible from the beginning. The book of Genesis has loads of familiar stories and characters, one of the most recognizable being Abraham. Yes, Father Abraham. He’s a pretty big deal in the Bible, not just in Genesis but throughout the New Testament too. Slightly less famous but no less important is Abraham’s wife, Sarah. I’ve just been through their story again, and it got me thinking about the sort of people God chooses and uses. Spoiler: they’re all pretty messed up.
The Highlights
Of all the people in the world, God chose Abraham to be the father of the nation of Israel. God repeatedly promised to give him a son and, through that son, to make Abraham the predecessor of countless people who would come to know God. God chose barren Sarah to be the mother of this special child. This miracle would happen when Abraham and Sarah were well past their prime, even by Old Testament standards.
Abraham is used as an example of faith in Hebrews, and Sarah is cited as a holy woman who showed submission to her husband. The whole of Scripture refers to God as “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” It all started with Abraham and Sarah because, throughout their lives, they believed and obeyed God…kind of.
The First Lie
Well, technically, it all started with God choosing Abram and Sarai—their names before their lives got flipped, turned upside down by God. In Genesis 12, God calls Abram to move to another country away from his family, and then God heaps all kinds of blessings and promises on him. Abram would be great, blessed, protected, and honored. Why? Because God said so.
Abram obeys, and things go swimmingly for the first 9 verses.
Then Abram makes his first bonehead choice: he lies about his wife. Afraid that the Egyptians will kill him so they can take Sarai for themselves, he makes her pretend to be his sister. God had promised to make Abram into a great nation, but in his fear Abram must have forgotten. God plagues Pharaoh and returns Sarai to her rightful husband. Things are back on track.
My Way or the Highway
Abram gets rich, heroically rescues his nephew Lot, gets an unexpected blessing from a priest who was also a foreshadowing of Christ, and gets another very clear promise of God’s favor and blessing. But then comes another bonehead move: Sarai tries to bring God’s promises to pass in her own way and time.
She tells her husband to father an heir through her servant Hagar. The scheme works, the handmaid gets pregnant by Abram, and then things fall apart. Poor Hagar resents Sarai, unfair Sarai blames Abram for the way things have turned out, and cowardly Abram tells her to do whatever she wants with her slave. So Sarai mistreats Hagar, who runs away. Poor choice after poor choice for Abram and Sarai.
Promises, Laughter, and More Lies
Thankfully, God protects Hagar and her baby, promising the little one an abundant future, and then things get quiet for 13 years. God breaks the silence by re-christening Abram and his wife. They are now Abraham and Sarah, and God is going to blow their minds—they’re about to become parents at long last. When God gives the promise this time, Abraham and Sarah both laugh. It was enough of a miracle that Abraham had fathered a child at the age of 90, but now he’s 100 and Sarah is 90. Surely their diaper-changing days are far behind them, right?
To underscore their doubt, Abraham and Sarah pull the exact same stunt as in Egypt. They pretend to be siblings, and the unwitting king of the land falls for it. (By the by, how is Sarah still this enviable at the age of 90?? I want whatever she’s having.) Anyway, God spares the king and returns Sarah to Abraham again.
Promises Fulfilled
Next thing you know, God fulfills his promise. The aged couple has a bouncing baby boy named Isaac. At a party for Isaac, Sarah still manages to feel spite toward Hagar’s son and sends them both away to die in the wilderness. God intervenes yet again, promising to bless and preserve the boy. Everyone lives happily ever after.
…Except that Abraham’s grandsons, Jacob and Esau, act far more foolishly than Abraham ever did, and it was downhill for most of his descendants as well.
Better Them Than Me
When I read a story like that, it really makes me think. First, I’m thankful that no one is writing down the stupid things I do and the self-preserving choices I make. If I were a character in the Bible, I’m sure my chapter would be pretty depressing, to say nothing of embarrassing.
Second, Abraham and Sarah lived to be over 100 years old, so the handful of bonehead choices catalogued in Genesis is fairly small if you spread them out over that many years. I manage to make that many bad choices weekly.
Third, I’m thankful that, overarching and underpinning their choices (and ours) is God’s grace. One perk of His omniscience is that he’s never unpleasantly surprised by the foolish things we do. He didn’t choose Abraham in hopes that he would do everything right; instead, He redeemed what Abraham did wrong. That was the plan all along.
God Sees the Heart
And finally, I’m thankful that God cares most about our hearts. He goes to great lengths to show us our deepest desires, and it isn’t always pretty. But in Abraham’s case, even though he was a bonehead in many respects, he finally learned to trust and value God supremely. God already knew this, of course, but Abraham discovered it when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac.
After all the promises, waiting, and joy, God asked Abraham to kill Isaac on an alter as a sacrifice to God. I can’t even imagine what was going through Abraham’s mind. But of all the times I would have sympathized with a decision to disobey, Abraham chose to go through with it. Of course, God stopped him at the last moment, providing a ram and a beautiful picture of salvation all at the same time. But as for Abraham, he’d finally learned to trust God. He was a faithless bonehead no more.
The Gracious God of Boneheads
One final takeaway: if you’re tempted (like me) to roll your eyes at the poor choices of people in the Bible or real life, remember that you’re not much better off. We’re not all thoroughgoing nincompoops, but we’re all on the spectrum. And if you (also like me) are sometimes tempted to feel that God can’t use you because of the choices you’ve made, take heart. God knows, and He is more than able to bring beauty from ashes. That’s the kind of God he is: the gracious God of boneheads.
Cooking Up Some Memories
I’ve never been much of a chef. In my single years, I lived off of cereal, yogurt, and freshly-juiced fruits and veggies. Ah, yes. The days when I was thin.
Now that I’m a wife and mama, I cook by necessity. I try to make it good; I switch it up, add variety, keep it interesting. Sometimes it’s a little too interesting. For example, ground turkey with curry and pineapple was a unanimous no-go. Cooking’s a gamble.
Baking Therapy
But baking? Baking is totally different because, while cooking makes meals, baking makes treats. And I ever-so-dearly love treats. I don’t need much of an excuse to pull out the mixing bowl and set the oven to 350. A rainy day? Company coming? Snack cupboard looking a little empty? Time to bake.
Baking could be cathartic if I didn’t have little kids. Measuring, mixing, baking, savoring…it would be like kitchen therapy. But I do have little kids. Often the me who starts baking isn’t the same me who finishes it. When I start, I’m chipper, optimistic, and usually have the baby in bed for a nap. Toward the end of the process, I’m often frazzled, snippy, and I almost certainly have the baby clinging to my calves, beseeching me to balance her on one arm while I knead dough one-handed. It’s an art I’m improving on a weekly basis.
Messy and Worth It
The only way to make baking practical as well as fun in this season of life is to include the toddler while the baby sleeps. I didn’t get much practice in the kitchen growing up, and that probably played a factor in my limited culinary repertoire when I moved out. I’d like my kids to feel at home in the kitchen when they’re young so that, in later years, they can equate time cooking and baking with joy instead of drudgery.
Ergo, my three-year-old is my baking buddy. As soon as he sees the flour, a measuring cup, or (joy of joys!) a bag of chocolate chips on the counter, he instantly climbs up to see how he can help. Dirty feet on the counter, dirty hands in the ingredients, but oh-so-eager to participate. Of course I shoo him toward the sink to wash up, but afterward he’s welcome to help. Will it take longer? Dear me, yes. It will be much longer and messier, but it will also be much more worthwhile. I want to make more than cookies; I want to make memories.
But also, I really want to make cookies.
Fall Goodness
If you’ve been reading this blog for very long, you know I don’t usually talk about cooking except to bemoan how long it takes. But I recently had some friends over for dinner, which prompted me to make a scrumptious dessert. It was so scrumptious that I wanted to share it with you. It’s sweet, decadent, and seasonal—the perfect fall treat.
It’s pumpkin cheesecake bars.
Is your mouth watering? Mine is.
Enjoy the Process
Honestly, I should give a few disclaimers right off the bat, but instead I’m going to start by telling you how good it is. It’s good. Really good. I’m not a huge pumpkin person, but the hint of pumpkin in this dessert is just right. Really, it’s worth a try.
Now, the disclaimer: the recipe does have four separate steps. If I had remembered that before getting halfway into the preparation, I may have stuck with the apple crisp and bailed on the bars. Fortunately, I forgot about the hassle and forged ahead. The steps do leave you with a bit of down time while you wait for one layer to cool or another to bake, so have a good audiobook handy and enjoy the process! (And make sure the baby is napping for at least half of it.)
The Secret Ingredient
Now, I know that you’re not supposed to mess with baking recipes. There’s no real wiggle room with the ingredients or ratios. Cooking may be an art, but baking is a science. You don’t mess with science.
But I did mess with this nearly-perfect recipe a wee bit. Just a very wee bit! I’ll tell you my secret: I added crushed gingersnaps to the graham cracker crust. The extra spice—the snap, if you will—was the perfect complement to the heavy richness of the cream cheese layers. It’s totally up to you, of course, but I was happy with it.
You’ll Want to Try This
Now, without further ado, please behold this recipe. I’m going to send you to the original post since I didn’t write the recipe, and I don’t think I’m allowed to just paste it in here. Just click the picture and it will take you to their site. (And no, I’m not getting anything out of this recommendation. It was just super good, and I thought you’d enjoy it.)
You’re welcome, and happy fall, ya’ll!
A Checklist for Perfectionists
Are you a to-do list person? I am 1,000% a to-do list person. It’s a blessing and a curse.
As an undeniable perfectionist, I struggle to stop working. My brain is always chugging away a million miles a minute, thinking about what I need to finish today, tomorrow, next year… A to-do list gives me a sense of peace and purpose. I like knowing that I have an external, objective list of tasks to slash off as I pursue the finish line on the distant horizon.
Unfortunately, like the horizon, the end of my to-do list recedes as I approach it. I take a step toward it, and it edges backward. I charge after it like a juggernaut only to find that it has taken a jet plane to the next hemisphere. In terms of progress, my days are a case study in futility.
A TREADMILL OF TASKS
To make matters worse, the tasks I do often don’t meet with my own approval. I mull it over, thinking how I could have done better, should have done more. The slashed-out tasks haunt me even as the next tasks loom over me. As you can imagine, I struggle to live in the moment. That may sound trendy or cliché, but it’s a real problem for me.
There are countless tasks I have to do to keep my family going, but I know the tasks are far less important than spending time with my family. That’s a simple statement, a black-and-white fact, and yet it’s often hard for me to make that distinction in the trenches of everyday life. I want to read books to my toddler, but the dishes… I want to play with my kids outside, but the laundry… You get the picture. There’s always more to do on my list.
STICKY NOTE INSPIRATION
So here’s a new list. A different one—a list for the perfectionist who needs an occasional reminder about what’s really important. Surprisingly, the list is in no particular order. Trust me, I wanted to go back through and reorganize these according to some inscrutable flow of thought, but that seemed to defeat the purpose. Ergo, here are a handful of reminders that I should write on sticky notes and put on every surface of my home. I hope you find them relatable and helpful, whatever your personality.
A CHECKLIST FOR PERFECTIONISTS
- Walk away. Sometimes “good enough” really is.
- Don’t worry about it. The dishes will still be there when you’re done spending time with the kids. (Unfortunately.)
- Enjoy it. Every stage of life has its own challenges and blessings; choose to focus on the latter.
- Drop it. If you’ve said your piece tactfully, leave it at that and let the other person do with it as they will.
- Stop thinking about it. Whatever irrevocable decision you made earlier today, it’s the right one now.
- Modify expectations. You can’t always do your absolute best on absolutely everything.
- Ditch the guilt. Even your best effort won’t always be awesome, and that’s all right.
- Ditch the guilt trip. If someone else is doing their best, that’s all you can expect of them. If they’re not doing their best, nagging certainly won’t improve morale.
- Opt for simplicity. An elaborate master plan may be tempting, but consider the sanity of your spouse.
- Tolerate clutter. Despite your feelings to the contrary, it won’t kill you to pick it up later.
- Savor today. Reminiscing and dreaming aren’t bad, but regret and worry are thieves. Don’t let them steal your moments.
- Choose thankfulness. Even when you’re frustrated and overwhelmed, there is still so much to be grateful for.
FEEL THE FREEDOM
My natural tendencies and lifelong practices all lean toward control and away from rest. Reminders like these won’t fix me overnight, but they’re a start. If you’re a to-do list person too, why not work on something off of this new list?
Give yourself permission to stop working, worrying, and chasing the horizon for a little while. After all, the only certainties in life are death, taxes, and an interminable to-do list. Your obligations aren’t going anywhere, so let’s set the old list down and see what freedom feels like, shall we? Personally, I’m going to go read some books with my kids.
…Right after I organize this pile of toys.
Robin Hood and a New (to Me) Author
Eureka! I’ve discovered an author!
He’s not a new author at all; he’s just new to me, like all my clothes, appliances, vehicles…well, you get the picture. I’m always a little bit behind the times, but it doesn’t bother me one bit, especially when it comes to literature. If a book is still in print decades (or centuries) after having been written, that’s more reassuring to me than 10,000 bandwagon reactions to a brand new book.
Don’t get me wrong—new books can be awesome! I’m hoping to add my own drop to the bucket one of these days. I’m merely pointing out that if a book warrants multiple editions over multiple decades, it’s probably worthwhile. And in this case, that’s definitely true.
THE AUTHOR, REVEALED!
So the author’s name is ::drumroll:: Stephen R. Lawhead.
All right, I see some of you rolling your eyes. Maybe I’ve just stumbled across someone you’ve been reading since then ‘80’s. If that’s true, then you’re 40 years superior to me, and I applaud you. Really, I do! I wish I’d discovered him sooner. He seems to write about stuff I really enjoy—Christianity, King Arthur, and Robin Hood, to name a few.
Lawhead has churned out over 30 novels, many of them set in ancient Britain. His books feel so accurate that I was surprised he’s from Nebraska. He and his wife live at Oxford now, so I’m sure that makes his research easier and more enjoyable. I was less surprised, however, to find that he’s a Christian. In the books I read, the religious representation was accurate and non-ironic, which I really appreciated.
THE SERIES, REVEALED!
So how did I stumble across this gem? I was perusing some posts by people who follow the Rabbit Room and saw Lawhead’s King Raven Trilogy recommended several times. The titles were simple enough: Hood, Scarlet, and Tuck. I’ve always been partial to ol’ Robin, so I borrowed the first book from my library’s audiobook app and got started. Thereafter, the trilogy was my companion while I folded laundry, vacuumed floors, and did endless hours of meal prep. (Housework can be a goldmine for audiobooks.) King Raven and I have kept the house in order for the past couple of months, but sadly our journey has ended. Now I’d like to introduce him to you.
WHAT I MOST ENJOYED
Authentic Setting
I narrowed down the things I enjoy about this trilogy into two categories: authentic and entertaining. First, the books felt authentic to me. While I’m not British, the majority of my books are from over the pond as opposed to our all-American variety. In general, I find their humor more humorous, their wit wittier, and their intellect more intelligent. (Please forgive the blatant and unfair generalization. I’m just relaying my opinion.) Also I got to teach British literature for nearly a decade, and I never tired of their authors or their history. I’m proud to be an American, but part of my soul belongs to Albion.
Authentic Story
I’ve always enjoyed the legend of Robin Hood, and Lawhead did a great job retelling the story. He kept it fresh and interesting without reinventing the wheel. The storyline is definitely grittier than, say, the Disney version with Robin as a green-capped fox. But despite the depictions of invasion, deprivation, and war, Lawhead never wallows in lurid descriptions. He keeps it classy. He also depicts the religious aspects realistically. A book set in ancient Britain cannot honestly ignore the influence of the church. I mean, their entire history is one of religious war, persecution, and revival. Lawhead’s story weaves the presence of the church with the characters and plot in a believable yet unobtrusive way.
Entertaining Style
Lawhead’s style is natural and descriptive. The story glides past, and you don’t even notice you’re reading (or listening). It doesn’t feel stilted or forced even though the characters often speak French or Latin. As vexing as it was to listen to sections of untranslated French on an audiobook, I took heart in the fact that it was authentic.
The story is set shortly after the Norman invasion of 1066, so the native Welsh and the conquering French were as different in language as in everything else. At least some of them had Latin in common, as it was the universal language of learning and religion. But to write a realistic book, an author would have to include the language barrier as well. To me, it somehow lent character to the storyline.
Now, you may remember that I’m not usually an audiobook lover. As convenient as they are, they can never beat the feel of paper in my hands. But as I’m a little pressed for time these days, I was happy with the audio option. The story moves along, the plot progresses, and the perspective changes frequently. Even so, it isn’t too confusing to keep up with, even via earbuds.
Entertaining Characters
The focal character seems like it would be Robin Hood throughout the series, and in a way that’s true. But each book shifts a different character into the foreground, as you can tell by the book titles. The second book, Scarlet, is initially a little jarring since it’s written from the first-person perspective of death-row-prisoner Will Scarlett. It takes some time to get used to the conversational tone, so different from the classic narrator style of book one, but I found my bearings quickly enough and enjoyed the change. You wouldn’t think there would be enough source material about Friar Tuck to base the third book on, but you’d be wrong. Tuck plays a major role in the unfolding and conclusion of the tale, and it’s enjoyable to see this God-fearing, mead-drinking, staff-wielding churchman in action.
NEXT UP, MORE LAWHEAD
I’ve recently started one of his most well-known books, Byzantium, and I’m enjoying it already. I will most likely delve into his Pendragon Cycle afterward, since I’m a sucker for all things Arthur. If you’re between books or just looking to add a few new titles to your library, consider the authentic, enjoyable works of Stephen R. Lawhead.
Just make sure you’ve got Google Translate handy.
Add a comment, and join the conversation!