Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss
BOOK REVIEW - The Ravener and Others
9 views
Skip to first unread message
Mike
Jul 16, 2012, 12:40:05 PM7/16/12
to
The Ravener and Others by Donald Tyson © 2011 Avalonia Books
ISBN: 978-1-905297-50-4
214 pages Paperback $19.99 (U.S.) www.avaloniabooks.co.uk Fiction
Temperance Brennan has her Seelie Booth; Nero Wolfe had his Archie
Goodwin; Sherlock Holmes had his Dr. John Watson; and Sir John Dee had
his Edward Kelley(?). Wait a minute, how did that last pair get in
there?
Donald Tyson, author of numerous books (several of which deal with
topics which appear in this volume) has written a series of mystery
stories in which Queen Elizabeth I's court astrologer (and spy?) and
his infamous skryer feature.
Those who are familiar with the story of Dee and Kelley will find this
collection more than a little unusual. Kelley, for a very long time,
has been suspected of being a thief, a charlatan, a counterfeiter and
a potential adulterer. Such aspects of his character are downplayed
in this collection. Herein he is seen as a genuine seer, loyal
assistant to Dee and faithful, if reluctant, husband.
Elizabethan England comes to life under the inspiration of Mr. Tyson,
although there is at least one anomaly which jumps out to me. I won't
go into detail, other than to remark that Mr. Tyson's other writings
are wide ranging and influence these stories. There isn't a spate of
Elizabethan English and the few words which do appear are explained
at the back of the book
Granted that Dee and Kelley are an unlikely pair of investigators, and
also granted that their areas of investigation tend to be more
esoteric than the other pairs mentioned above, have to admit that I
thoroughly enjoyed these short stories. There s a certain something
to be said for this form. It may not allow for thorough charcter
development (but with these individuals that is hardly necessary), but
it allows for a certain quickness of plot, and that tends to keep the
reader on their toes
Kelley is, to a large degree, the major protagonist. Dee is
intellectual, Kelley is active. Although Dee often ties things
together, it is Kelley out doing the leg work. Of course, being a
commoner Kelley is denied the access to the court which Dee enjoys,
but by the same token he is less likely to offend HRH Elizabeth (and
with her mecurial temper that is no small feat).
I could easily envisage another volume or two in the same vein. Dee
and Kelley come across in these stories as a well-oiled team, and
leave the reader wondering what else they might turn their hands to.
The gods know that Dee and Kelley, both individually and as a pair,
provide a wealth of possibilities to be explored.
This is another of those summer reads which I periodically come
across. It is lightweight but entertaining. The author is
knowledgable without being overbearing about it. It is, in short, a
thoroughly fun book to while away a few hours.
ISBN: 978-1-905297-50-4
214 pages Paperback $19.99 (U.S.) www.avaloniabooks.co.uk Fiction
Temperance Brennan has her Seelie Booth; Nero Wolfe had his Archie
Goodwin; Sherlock Holmes had his Dr. John Watson; and Sir John Dee had
his Edward Kelley(?). Wait a minute, how did that last pair get in
there?
Donald Tyson, author of numerous books (several of which deal with
topics which appear in this volume) has written a series of mystery
stories in which Queen Elizabeth I's court astrologer (and spy?) and
his infamous skryer feature.
Those who are familiar with the story of Dee and Kelley will find this
collection more than a little unusual. Kelley, for a very long time,
has been suspected of being a thief, a charlatan, a counterfeiter and
a potential adulterer. Such aspects of his character are downplayed
in this collection. Herein he is seen as a genuine seer, loyal
assistant to Dee and faithful, if reluctant, husband.
Elizabethan England comes to life under the inspiration of Mr. Tyson,
although there is at least one anomaly which jumps out to me. I won't
go into detail, other than to remark that Mr. Tyson's other writings
are wide ranging and influence these stories. There isn't a spate of
Elizabethan English and the few words which do appear are explained
at the back of the book
Granted that Dee and Kelley are an unlikely pair of investigators, and
also granted that their areas of investigation tend to be more
esoteric than the other pairs mentioned above, have to admit that I
thoroughly enjoyed these short stories. There s a certain something
to be said for this form. It may not allow for thorough charcter
development (but with these individuals that is hardly necessary), but
it allows for a certain quickness of plot, and that tends to keep the
reader on their toes
Kelley is, to a large degree, the major protagonist. Dee is
intellectual, Kelley is active. Although Dee often ties things
together, it is Kelley out doing the leg work. Of course, being a
commoner Kelley is denied the access to the court which Dee enjoys,
but by the same token he is less likely to offend HRH Elizabeth (and
with her mecurial temper that is no small feat).
I could easily envisage another volume or two in the same vein. Dee
and Kelley come across in these stories as a well-oiled team, and
leave the reader wondering what else they might turn their hands to.
The gods know that Dee and Kelley, both individually and as a pair,
provide a wealth of possibilities to be explored.
This is another of those summer reads which I periodically come
across. It is lightweight but entertaining. The author is
knowledgable without being overbearing about it. It is, in short, a
thoroughly fun book to while away a few hours.
Lady Azure, Baroness of the North Pole
Jul 17, 2012, 11:48:27 PM7/17/12
to
Mike wrote:
> The Ravener and Others by Donald Tyson � 2011 Avalonia Books
> ISBN: 978-1-905297-50-4
> 214 pages Paperback $19.99 (U.S.) www.avaloniabooks.co.uk Fiction
>
> Temperance Brennan has her Seelie Booth; Nero Wolfe had his Archie
> Goodwin; Sherlock Holmes had his Dr. John Watson; and Sir John Dee had
> his Edward Kelley(?). Wait a minute, how did that last pair get in
> there?
>
> Donald Tyson, author of numerous books (several of which deal with
> topics which appear in this volume) has written a series of mystery
> stories in which Queen Elizabeth I's court astrologer (and spy?)
Revisionists"!
0 new messages