Saturday, January 21, 2012

Some YA Wisdom

What's an old guy like me doing reading a futuristic YA novel? 


I knew going in what a magnificent writer my friend and former critique partner Veronica Rossi is. Even so, Under the Never Sky exceeded my highest expectations. I found it stunningly beautiful both in concept and execution. The two "star" characters, Aria and Peregrine (Perry), immediately won my heart with their core strength and fragile hold on life in a wildly threatening world environment (the book cover doesn't exaggerate: "A million ways to die"). The supporting characters are wonderful and richly textured, each in their own unique way. 


As an older reader, what I appreciated most was Rossi's emphasis on the senses of sight, hearing, taste, and smell, plus the clear intuition of others' feelings--be they friends or enemies. In an age when we get more and more of our information and social experience digitally (as Aria does, before venturing out in search of her lost mother), it's hopeful to think that our distant future might see a return of humanity to reliance on gifts genetically inherited. Having said all that, I've barely touched on the multiple layers of meaning and insight this tale offers.


I read a lot of novels every year. Many are R-and-F stories (read-and-forget). I classify Under the Never Sky as R-and-P (read-and-ponder). Young adults picking up this book--the first in a trilogy--will get more than a good read. Rossi has provided a compass for honorable living and loving. As the full cover blurb puts it: "A million ways to die. One way to live." I can't wait to see the Warner Brothers film version.


Five Stars!! Read it.
______________________
Alfred J. Garrotto is the author of the suspense novel,
The Saint of Florenville: A Love Story.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Epiphany--The Gift I Hide Apart

My friend Tom Savignano is a wise and gifted poet. This being the week of Epiphany and the gifts of the magi in Christian communities, I am pleased to share the following with Tom's permission.




THE GIFT
 by
Tom Savignano


Gold I’m happy
to buy and give ---
would you fancy a ring, a coin,
a 24 carat star?

Myrrh, perhaps?
The stores are stocked
with scent,
candles, soap,
imported incense.

“No,” you smile
and smiling ask
the very thing I hoard,
I hide apart ---

tarnished,
flawed ---

You win, Sir.
Take my heart.

Tom is the author of several books of poetry, including Way Stations: A Journal of Prayers, Songs and Psalms and Prayers and Reminscences.


______________________
Alfred J. Garrotto is the author of the suspense novel,
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