Prentice Alvin
By Orson Scott Card
Book on Tape Read by Card, Stefan Rudnick and Gabrielle Decuir
The reading here is an interesting departure from my usual King stuff, read by the gruff, sandy Frank Muller . This is read by Card himself and two others, representing the two main points of view in the book – Alvin’s and Peggy’s. Neither is a spectacular reader, though both are capable. Card’s performance is utilitarian though apposite, with a curious not-quite-southern drawl that grew to represent the Mormon tradition echoed in Alvin’s tale.
The narrative is an entertaining mix of macro- and micro-story. It spans some 8 years of Alvin’s apprenticeship, yet the details of intervening years are few and far between. On one hand, it feels rushed, but at the same time it feels appropriately paced. This is obviously a setup story; much like the time spans in the story itself, it designed as the in between years of a much larger story, which I am eager to get to.
The previous book is all but ignored in this story. Alvin mentions his time with the Prophet only once or twice, and the events of Red Prophet seem to have little effect on Alvin’s apprenticeship.
I really enjoy Card’s voice – I mean to say his narrative voice! He handles the raw speech of the unrefined folk of the frontier with consistency and aplomb. It feels and sounds natural.
I sure hope he gets around to book 7 in this series. Isn’t the Ender stuff all played out already!?
Thursday, June 24, 2010
REVIEW: Red Prophet
Red Prophet
By Orson Scott Card
Graphic novel by Brown, Buchemi, and Montenegro
The art here is serviceable, but nothing spectacular. At times it is difficult to tell characters apart, especially Alvin and his brother Measure, when they were captured by the reds.
With the active hand of Card, the narrative is a successful adaptation. It is somewhat wordy, something less than desirable in a graphic novel I think, but necessarily so to capture the spirit of the story.
Overall, it is an enjoyable adaptation, and a quick way to re-experience the story in order to get to the books in the series that I haven’t read yet.
I wish I had more to say, but life is creeping in. I’ve already finished the next book (on tape) before finishing this review!
By Orson Scott Card
Graphic novel by Brown, Buchemi, and Montenegro
The art here is serviceable, but nothing spectacular. At times it is difficult to tell characters apart, especially Alvin and his brother Measure, when they were captured by the reds.
With the active hand of Card, the narrative is a successful adaptation. It is somewhat wordy, something less than desirable in a graphic novel I think, but necessarily so to capture the spirit of the story.
Overall, it is an enjoyable adaptation, and a quick way to re-experience the story in order to get to the books in the series that I haven’t read yet.
I wish I had more to say, but life is creeping in. I’ve already finished the next book (on tape) before finishing this review!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)