When you consider magic, you may think of standard Arthurian magic. That is, overt magical powers specifically employed by magicians. Morwenna Markova from 1970s Wales can do magic and keeps her childhood ability of seeing Fairies. Mor’s childhood is tumultuous with an abusive mother, estranged father, and a deceased sister. Mor reads science fiction to get through the difficult times and magic to overcome and propel her into adulthood.
Magic is very weird.
Why is this on our bookshelf?
Among Others is ostensibly fiction literature. But our unlikely hero is obsessed with science fiction, performs magic, fraternizes with fairies. The novel was awarded the Hugo Award in 2012.
Rating (4 stars)
Walton’s prose is a walking sidewalk, steadily and effortlessly moving you forward. Throughout the book, you know where the end will lead, and you can feel it approaching, but there’s no inclination on what form it will take. Unfortunately, the ending itself was less climactic than the approach, and I think the novel ended a bit too abrupt. Still, Among Others, is a fine read, especially for science fiction introverts who will strongly identify with Mor.
Read this book:
If you have a voracious appetite for science fiction and think everyone else should too.
Don't Read this book:
You want your magic to be more… magical.
Once you're done, do this:
Start saving for a trip to Wales to go visit abandoned coal mining areas.
[…] Among Others […]