Llewellyn, Sam - The Well Between the Worlds (Monsters of Lyonesse)
Idris has only just discovered that he apparently has a really special ability, because he finds out that he can command the performance of a fly or a gull, and even give the fly a mental command. Before he can begin to understand what happens, he is dragged before the local tribunal of his home town of Westgate.
The accusation is as clear as deadly: He is a mix. For he hasn't drowned after the fall from the window, but survived. And this, testimony holds against him, makes clear that he is a mix between monster
and man. And that is punishable by death.
What saves
him is this strange ability of making his thoughts enter other minds. His mentor in
Westgate has noticed this ability. And intervening as the captain of
Westgate by Idris life, the "man with a nose ring" saves Idris, takes him
and leads him into a new life.
His ability of this perception
of thoughts of other creatures marks Idris destination for the new task, and Ambrose (the man with the nose ring) takes him there:
"Monstergrooming" - the "care" for the monsters.
For Lyonesse, the home of Idris and scenery of history, can only exist because it is "served" by monsters.
In a review of the British Telegraph, the journalists writes "Sam Llewellyn
makes Narnia look like Teletubbyland", and once again uses one of
the great classics of children's fantasy in order to classify a new
book. This is, in my view, a mistake. Narnia has a very different background and is very limited for a comparison with The Well.
In fact, this book, which is - due to the new age
recommendations for English children's books from age 11 - fast-paced,
very exciting and full of unusual ideas. 11 years is an absolutely
appropriate recommendation.
Let aside the fact that it is
technically well written and you find yourself jumping back a few lines very surprised now and then, the book is filled with some ideas that I can't remember having
encountered yet in this form. This proves once again that - (despite
the classic props of the lonely boy who is very special, and torn from
his home country - the mysterious savior - the threat of
not only the life of the boy but the whole world) - it is
"still" possible to write new books to read which with
enthusiasm and fun.
A little suggestion for readers: Who, after this review, heads to his local bookstore and buys
the book only to find a more lyrically inspired text on the first pages,
should not be deterred by the fact Because this is the only
drawback that I have noticed so far. Even though this doesn't mean the opening sequence is not beautiful, it has a tendency to put one on a
false trail.
In my joy about this book I immediately tried to find out what Lyonesse is about, and contacted Sam
Llewellyn, asking for an interview.
We are very pleased to soon publish an interview with him on Zauberspiegel.
On the book's website you can find a comparatively long, mouth-watering teasertext (link opens in a new window and leaves the sides of Zauberspiegel).
All pictures from the book's website
