IronParrot
09-07-2003, 03:07 PM
I just finished an excellent children's / young adult fantasy entitled Summerland, by Michael Chabon (who also wrote Wonder Boys and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay). Highly recommended for lovers of mythology.
I won't spoil quite everything, but the basic premise is that it is set in both our world and a connected fantasy world where, as it turns out, baseball symbolizes and envelops life, the universe and everything - even as an allegory for the creation of the world. It's full of allusions to the Norse myths in particular, as well as Native American legends. The plot focuses on how three kids on a baseball team try to stop Ragged Rock (read: Ragnarok), the end of the world, from coming to pass.
At 500 pages it looks hefty, but it is actually quite a breeze to get through and I'm sure most of you will find it very enjoyable. If children's fantasy is your thing, then you should not miss out.
I won't spoil quite everything, but the basic premise is that it is set in both our world and a connected fantasy world where, as it turns out, baseball symbolizes and envelops life, the universe and everything - even as an allegory for the creation of the world. It's full of allusions to the Norse myths in particular, as well as Native American legends. The plot focuses on how three kids on a baseball team try to stop Ragged Rock (read: Ragnarok), the end of the world, from coming to pass.
At 500 pages it looks hefty, but it is actually quite a breeze to get through and I'm sure most of you will find it very enjoyable. If children's fantasy is your thing, then you should not miss out.