WIND FOLLOWER by Carole McDonnell (a gushy Mir review)

[Mirtika]

Every now and then, an overtly Christian SF novel really gets me excited. (Not that often, mind you, but occasionally). This novel is one such.

I cannot tell you how thrilling it is to find that a novel that is so rich with Biblical truth, allusions, symbology, etc is also rich in prose and storytelling ability. That a SECULAR publisher put it out seems like a Hand of God sort of thing, because anyone who reads this is getting a solid dose of Scripture, and may not know it (if they aren't familiar with the Bible).

If you are well-acquainted with Holy Writ, you will see in it the Song of Songs, the story of Abraham, episodes from David's life, the sufferings of Christ, Moses and the donkey, Elijah fed by ravens, Hagar's trials, and so much more.

This is a fantasy, but it also has spiritual warfare. It has light, strong light, but it also has earthiness. I'd rate it a PG-13 (strong) or an R, because there are scenes that depict more sexuality than a Christian publisher would allow, but not as much as secular ones do. It's a personal call, but I found it enriched the story. We all have different boundaries. This one didn't cross mine.

Those scenes, as well as its criticism of imperialism/Manifest Destiny, kept the book out of the CBA, says the author. She has written about how editors in the CBA praised it as the "best speculative novel" that they'd had submitted to them, but that Evangelical readers would be put off by the above element, as well as the interracial relationship.

I hope Christian readers prove them wrong. As an Evangelical, I don't find the book offensive, but forthright. Yes, I can see how some folks would object to one or more, but it's good to examine ourselves and see why we squirm about A, B or C. No one should object to "interracial relationships" since, Biblically speaking, there is no such thing. Men and woman are...men and woman, all descendants of the first parents, ergo, all one family in the end. And if God can write the Song of Songs, we ought not cringe at a man desiring his wife, or vice versa. Imperialism/Manifest Destiny--well, it's part of our history here and globally, and that it should be seen as both positive and negative in the novel is merely a realistic affirmation of truth: Christians who came to dominate lands and peoples brought certain blessings (the Bible and the gospel, science, schools, etc) as well as certain curses (oppression, exploitation, cultural repression, bigotry, pillaging, sometimes slavery, etc).

But back to the positive: With all the Scriptural elements, with all the speaking out of truth, it manages to put all that in a fresh context that is not at all stale. To clarify, here's my amazon review, which goes into some of the cultural stuff:

An immature but fervent young man at odds with the spirits of his people, yet destined for some greatness he doesn't comprehend or believe; a woman of virtue and selflessness of a different tribe and color who must marry this young , flawed chieftain's son besotted with her looks and manner; and a crucial historical moment when their peoples are threatened by an outside tribe intent on conquest as their religious right: That's the premise of WIND FOLLOWER. Much conflict and growing up ensues.

Carole McDonnell, an author with graceful prose and a fierce talent, has penned a delightful fantasy that rings with echoes of human history and anthropology as well as abounding with Biblical allusions. The combination of her skill in storytelling, her finely realized world with its various cultures and customs, and her definite and unapologetic Christian worldview is one I found resulted in a tale that is exhilirating and refreshing, upholding Christianity within a fantasy framework in an age and genre generally cynical about or skeptical of or openly hostile to such a worldview.

This is a novel that allows for the variety in its fiction that is naturally found in the real world. It's not a Euro fantasyland such as Tolkien's or Lewis' or a host of others that seem to have one or both feet stuck in medieval England or Ireland. No, this one has too many suggestions that its world is set in a place akin to frontier America, while not being bound point by point to that era or geography. There are suggestions of Asia, of Latin America, of Africa (Muslim and pagan and Christian), of Anglo settlers slash conquerors, of Native Americans.

There are three main resident tribes, each with its own characteristics and customs and appearance--one evoking Africa, one a blend of Asia and Native Americans, one less quantifiable but seemingly akin to Latino-mestizos. And there is the supernatural "tribe" composed of legion of beings who interact with the native peoples in various ways, not all of them seemingly worthless or wholly benevolent. There is something more complex at work, and all may not be as it seems.

The human story centers on two characters, an impoverished spinster-woman of the "African" tribe, and a man who is a chieftains's son of the "Asian/Native American" tribe. For him, it is love at first sight. For her, not so much. And the story of his wooing and her resitance, and then of the complications that come into their married life--including some significant treacheries and tragedies--build to a climax that will affect the entire world, and will remind readers of the most significant spiritual narrative of the last 2000 years.

The story is affecting as a love story, as a quest story, as a tragedy, as a heroic tale, as a tale of spiritual warfare. And the voice that the author uses is effective for the telling of such a story, both musical and poetic enough to give it the feel of an oral retelling of a great folklorically-enshrined history, and non-contemporary enough in the sound to feel both culturally different and sacred.

I heartily recommend this to both Christians and non-Christians. Christians familiar with their sacred texts will easily pick up on the multitude of paraphrases and allusions and it will enrich the meaning. But a warning note for those who are on the prudish side or have a thing about sexuality in fiction: There are some scenes that you may find offputting. I found they added and did not detract from the story. But then, I find asexual depictions of romance and marriage false and gynecological exam depictions of sex gratuitious. Carole McDonnell walks the line perfectly. Enough that it feels like real people with real experiences. Not so detailed that you feel as if you stared into someone's bedroom at the wrong time.

Non-Christians will enjoy a tale of romance and adventure and the seeking of one's identity and of truth. Well, anyone can enjoy that. Plus good writing.

If I had to pick out one negative, it's the numerous typos--excess words, missing words, and other booboobs-- that the copyeditor should have caught. I hope the book goes into multiple printings and gets a wide readership, but please, for the second and other printings, can the editors at Juno fix those errors? This story deserves the best presentation possible. At the same time, I'd like to thank Juno for having the vision to publish this fine story that is unashamedly theistic.

Oh, and the cover is kicking, but it really should feature both the strong female, Satha, and her spouse, Loic. It's a dual story that is belied by the emphasis on Satha on the cover.

Thumbs up. Very high up and wagging with pleasure.
Mir

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If you want the novel, find it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Wind-Follower-Carole-McDonnell/dp/0809557797
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"I believe in what I cannot see"

My Blog, Mirathon
Speculative Faith

[Johne Cook]

The mark of a really good review is when it makes me want to run right out and purchase the object of the review

Like this time.
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Johne (Phy) Cook | Overlord, Ray Gun Revival magazine |
| http://raygunrevival.com/ |

[Michael A. Heald]

Hello! You've got me curious, and I've got the book coming from Amazon. My wife and I have frequent discussions about what constitutes negative elements in stories. I lean toward the stance that gratuitous sex and violence have no place in movies or literature. The Bible is filled with negative elements - alcohol, sex, violence, selfish/misguided political ambition, yet God worked through/came through these in a miraculous way.
So, I'm curious about this story. Best regards.

Michael A. Heald

[Mirtika]

Michael, of course, I hope you enjoy it and that you find the use of controversial (within the CBA, anyway) elements are appropriate and powerful. And I hope you write your own review here--whether you like it as much as I did or less so.

Mir
_________________
"I believe in what I cannot see"

My Blog, Mirathon
Speculative Faith

[Michael A. Heald]

Bought! Received! Begun! Hopefully, I'll be able to make some comments over the next couple of weeks.
Thank you for your review and suggestion to read the book. Best regards.

Michael A. Heald

[cathikin]

Mirtika, I read the book and felt much the same as you, but you expressed it much better than I did. The earthiness, as you called it, was apparently a problem for some Christians, but I reminded myself of many such passages in the Old Testament. Great review of a powerful novel.
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Cathi H.

Life is precious and sweet. Handle with prayer.

[resaliens]

I haven't read her book, but I'm excited to publish a short story by Carole at ResAliens next month. It's titled "Housewarming" and is a hilarious spiritual warfare/ghost story. Wow, now that defies genres! lol Watch for it - I'll post a link when it goes online.
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Lyn Perry from ResAliens
Highlighting Spec Fic at ResAliens - the Blog

[Michael A. Heald]

"Earthiness" indeed! I just began reading the book. Starting with an execution scene reminiscent of Aztec ritual human sacrifice is gutsy and disturbing!

Michael A. Heald

[Michael A. Heald]

Hello! I finished the book. Well written. Not my usual fare, but it is good to stretch my reading wings.
Ms. Mcdonnel creates a wonderful world, but it is definitely an adult book - a rarity in the fantasy genre.
I have to put my thoughts together, and then I'll write a full review.
Thank you for the suggestion.

Michael A. Heald

[Michael A. Heald]

Here's my review. Thank you for everyone else's comments and the guidance that led me to read this book.
Best regards,

Michael A. Heald

http://www.michaelaheald.com/WebPage-Wind-Follower-Carole-McDonnell-Book-Review.html

[Mirtika]

Cool. I'm happy to see you recommended it. Hoorah. THANKS.

MIr
_________________
"I believe in what I cannot see"

My Blog, Mirathon
Speculative Faith