Ash

Resource type: book (fiction)

Cover (Lo, 2010)

This novel is a retelling of the Cinderella fairytale, with a twist.

Ash lives in a small servant's room in the house of her stepmother and two stepsisters. She is their servant, working to pay off the debts her father left when he died. She is treated unfairly and with contempt, but finds happiness in well-worn books of fairytales, the warm stones of the floor next to the fire, a freshly peeled and cut apple, and in taking walks in the wild wood when she is alone.

Ash challenges her societies' ideas for the ideal future for a young woman. She asks her younger stepsister why is her goal in life to marry a wealthy older man? Will that make her happy? What does she want to do? Ash tells her that there are other paths she could take, she could become an apprentice and make a life for herself.

At the same time, Ash is facing difficult decisions herself. She has befriended a silvery fairy prince who comforts her, protects her and provides companionship over the years as she mourns the loss of her parents, her home and village. During her walks through the woods, her path also crosses with the huntress, a woman of high standing in her society, but with whom she feels mutual friendship and both are compelled to pursue their friendship to see where it takes her.

However, while Ash is caught between two companions, her world seems to be accepting of same-sex relationships, and she is not discriminated or bullied over connection with the huntress.

The language is immersive and slow-paced, with vivid descriptions of the environment, the beautiful ball gowns, and mossy dark forests. However, in a way that is reminiscent of traditional fairy-tales, there is a distance between what is written and the images that appear in the reader's head. The author, Malinda Lo, has said that she purposefully didn't include a lot of description of the character's physical appearance. Lo writes:

"Respect your readers’ right to cast the story. I do describe my main characters’ physical appearance, but not terribly specifically. I want readers to imagine the Charming that they would fall in love with, because everyone has different tastes" 

This is a slow moving and quiet, but magical novel. It is full of contrasts and decisions, tells a beautiful love story. It is highly recommended.

Bibliographic details:

Lo, M. (2010). Ash. London: Hodder Children's.

Bibliography:
http://www.malindalo.com/2008/10/writing-about-race-in-fantasy-novels/

Z for Zacharia

Resource type: book (fiction)

Cover (O'Brien, 1974)

In a secluded valley, protected by mountains on all sides from the rest of the world, lives Ann Burden, a 16 year old teenager who once had dreams of becoming a teacher. That future is now out of her reach. Outside her valley the world has been destroyed by nuclear and biological war, and she lives now, alone, sustaining herself, a small  brood of chickens, and the beginnings of a cow herd, on the farm that she grew up on.

This book is Ann's diary, and in it she documents her activities, her dreams and how she is coping with being alone. She is independent and self-sufficient, making use of skills she learnt growing up, and the stock of the nearby farm store. Every day she must tend to the garden, care for the animals and maintain the farm. There's also long-term decisions to be made - the seed in the store will spoil on the shelves, and she must decide which crops she can plant and grow to ensure they don't become extinct.

But she is afraid. A strange, sick man slowly makes his way into the valley. He is wearing protective clothing, and is travelling alone. Ann's had no contact from other humans for a year now, since the radio stopped, and she doesn't know who this man is, what his intentions are, or if he is trustworthy.

This gripping novel follows Ann closely through her life. On the one hand, it is simple - the day-to-day activities of farm life, making food, feeding chickens. But on the other hand, she is faced with decisions that would fill anyone with fear and apprehension: the future of the human race.

From the start, there is a sense of dread, of living on the edge of madness. And the fear does not stop.

This is an engaging and eerie book about a teenage girl surviving in a dystopian world, and is highly recommended.

Bibliographic details:

O'Brien, C. R. (1974). Z for Zachariah. New York: Simon Pulse.

Northern Lights

Resource type: audiobook (fiction)

Cover (Pullman, 2003)

Imagine if part of who you are, part of your identity, was separate from you? A dæmon, a separate animal that could shape shift and talk? You'd always have a friend, disputes with other people could be resolved by having your dæmons fight and people could understand you better by your demon's expressions. Would this be easier? Would it be a cure for loneliness? Could we understand each other better?

These questions are asked in Northern Lights. 

The story follows Lyra Belacqua, and her dæmon Pantalaimon, in an alternate universe where lanterns are used as projectors, and cars don't exist. It's a Steampunk world, there's more dust and dirt, the Church and and academic colleges run the country, and there's a bear king who lives in the north. Lyra plays a very important part in the future of this world, but she must not know. A Steampunk contraption called an alethiometer makes it's way in to Lyra's hands. It's kind of like a barometer (used for checking air pressure) but this is used to tell truths.
Lyra must learn to use it, and quickly! Children are disappearing, there are rumours of the church conducting experiments on humans, and there is a rescue mission to find the missing children.

In this audio adaptation of Phillip Pullmans first epic novel in the dark materials trilogy, the characters come to life and the story plays out inside your head as you listen with headphones. While you walk to the train, watching cars and houses pass you in the street, a fantastic adventure full of opulence, academics, magic and mystery plays out. You hear a moth flit past you, and you can almost feel the softly worn leather as someone sits down in an old leather armchair.

Although this is only an abridged version of the full story in The Golden Compass, the audiobook format is an extremely engaging medium in which to experience this story.

Bibliographic details:

Pullman, P. (2003). Northern lights. [Audio Recording]. Bath, UK: BBC Audiobooks.