A Time For Legends, The Unicorn's Daughter, And A Mystery

Before I get started today, some business to see to. Have a look at the blog Norma and I wrote about writing as a team, at Writers of Mass Distraction. Here you'll find our thoughts on the Art of Collaboration.

Today I'm reviewing a second book in Norma's list of previously published novels. The first review can be found right here, if you haven't seen it before.

A Time For Legends is the original name of the book, as published by Berkeley. Norma would have preferred her title, The Unicorn's Daughter, which is the title she's re-releasing it as for an ebook. The novel is a sprawling tale, set over several decades between World War Two and the 1980s, using world events as a backdrop. The emotional core of the story, and its greatest strength, is the bond between a father and daughter.

James Lynde starts out the story, signing up for service in the OSS during the war. He serves behind the lines throughout with resistance fighters in occupied Europe, aiding the efforts to overthrow the Nazis, and quickly discovers he's rather good at the work he does. He and his colleagues have codenames drawn from mythology, and his is the Unicorn. He comes through the war in one piece, and gets the opportunity as the Cold War heats up to join the fledgling CIA, doing the same thing he's already been doing, just with a new adversary. 

His boss, Harry Warner, warns that he'll have to develop a good cover to move through the new Europe, and he comes across one, marrying into the family of a former senator and going to work in the family investment firm. It gives him a place in society, a reasonable cover, and the opportunity to travel in rough places without excessive scrutiny. Unfortunately he doesn't actually love the woman he married, though he does a good job (at first) of covering it up. A few years into their marriage, his wife Fran gives birth to a daughter, Jaime, who from the start has her father wrapped around her little finger.

Problems arise, of course.  Fran becomes depressed and withdrawn, resentful even of her daughter, who's headstrong and stubborn. The state of her marriage and her life leads her to take her own life, an event that weighs heavily on both father and daughter. Later, James disappears on one of his trips abroad, and Jaime is told that he's dead, a fact that she cannot accept, a status that continues to have an effect on her.

Jaime grows up in the custody of an aunt and uncle who have their own secrets. She becomes successful as a  photographer, but still haunted by the absense of her father. She discovers that her aunt and uncle have lied to her about James' death when she finds letters and packages from him posted after his death, causing her to wonder if she's even related to them at all. And it drives her to start asking more questions, to seek out the truth about her father. Death follows close behind as Jaime presses for answers. The journey brings her to hearing conflicting stories about what really happened to him, including the allegation that he's committed fraud and treason. It takes her to Europe and North Africa, meeting an American embassy official, Nicholas Kendall, along the way, a man she falls in love with. And the trail leads right into Libya, at the same time as Gadhaffi (take your pick on the spelling of the First Rate Nutbar's name) is increasing tensions with the United States.

With Angels At Midnight, the story was about revenge, but it was also a love story. Here, the love story is a sideshow to the real plot. Nicholas, indeed, doesn't show up at all until halfway through the book. The bond between father and daughter is integral to the narrative, and even in his absense, the reader feels his presence. Norma does a terrific job in conveying the strength of that bond, and it drives the action forward. It's the heart of the book, and it breathes life into what's happening. I really enjoyed the way she brought this about, giving it a very natural feel to the way the story unfolded.

And she's gifted with characters. Fran's point of view as her mental stability deteriorates is a good example. We feel empathy for the character, seeing the world through her eyes, and her choice is tragic. Indeed, so much about her is tragic, and getting into her head helps us to understand. The connections- and similarities- between James and Jaime also come across beautifully in their characters. They're both strong, stubborn minded people, both seeming to be of the "hang the consequences" way of thinking.  Even with minor characters, such as Jaime's "uncle" Harcourt, we see a man who feels regret over his own part in the deceptions- even though we understand in the end that it was nessecary.

Norma also has a talent for paying attention to details. This can be found throughout the book, in terms of Jaime's journies and the places she sees, the observations she makes about people. One moment that I liked in particular features Jaime, Nicholas, and her father's old partner Jack Forrester having dinner in an Algerian hotel, and Norma describing the meal itself... I've had a meal like that, and yes, it's delicious. It's small details like that which open up a fictional world.

The book is firmly set in the real world, which I really like. The events of world history form the backdrop of the novel, and particularly towards the end, we see the power brokers of Washington playing roles in what was actually going on. The novel reaches its climax during the highest tensions of the Libyan crisis in 1986, and Norma uses the air strikes ordered by President Reagan as part of her narrative. It's a thrilling finish, and a terrific, satisfying resolution to the narrative.

I highly recommend the novel. It's a jigsaw puzzle of sorts, and I like jigsaw puzzles. Jaime Lynde is a sympathetic character with depth who seeks to move on with her life by resolving the unanswered questions of her past. She has to sort through the secrets and lies, put the puzzle together. Along the way, we the reader are doing the same, wondering what's true and what's a cover story. And by making the novel so close to the real world, Norma succeeds in giving it the extra edge of authenticity. With the way the Middle East has been turning about lately, it's all the better to read.

French edition of A Time For Legends

Let Me Get This Straight... The Sleazy Weasel Is The Sexiest Man Alive?

Before I get things started today, I thought I'd direct you to a blog I did over at Lyn Fuch's blog Sacred Ground, which you can find by clicking right here. I wrote about the wolves of Algonquin Park, here in Canada.

Now then, to the business at hand...

People, that bastion of journalistic corruption, came out with the usual Sexiest Man Alive (plus the runners up) in recent days. The magazine, of course, is little more then a tabloid, part of the scourge of like minded titles that seem obsessed with convincing the public that Jennifer Aniston (heretofore known as The Annoying One) is America's Sweetheart, and plastering no name "reality" stars on their covers. This year, the Sexiest Man Alive is Bradley Cooper.

Yes, the Sleazy Weasel.

Years ago, when he was a cast member of Alias, I thought he was a decent enough actor, somewhat quiet and unassuming. Then he became famous. And somewhere along the line... he took on a tone of sleaziness, smarminess, and smugness, as if the fame went right to his head. He seems to have become the sort of person you wouldn't trust under any circumstances, the kind of star who, to borrow a phrase, would go to the opening of an envelope if it meant getting his pictures in the papers. Yes, he became the Dirtbag. And this is the guy they pass off as the Sexiest Man Alive?

There are some reasonable choices on that list, and if you haven't seen Norma's take on this one, check out her blog about who the sexiest men alive should be. There are, however, some glaring choices that make us wonder how big the bribes are. Mr. Sparkles and Dog Boy (Robert Pattinson and Taylor "the Llama" Lautner) made the list for some inexplicable reason. And even stranger... so did Seth McFarlane.

I know, you're thinking, Seth Who? This is the dolt who created the irritating Family Guy and its various spinoffs. Not only is he not sexy in any bizarre alternate universe, he's not funny either. He's just obnoxious. I wonder how much he paid to get on the list. The equivalent of a third world country's national debt, perhaps?

It could have been worse. At least the Mop Headed Cretin didn't make the list. Of course, Justin Bieber has enough difficulties on his plate these days, what with paternity tests and little Biebers popping up. (Complete aside: when the Bieb runs out of fans and money and has to resort to selling himself as an escort, he's already got a marketing line: The Bieber: Only lasts thirty seconds before giving out and falling asleep).

So, as Norma has already done the list of guys who ought to make such lists, it falls to me to do a list of the sexiest women alive, and I've gotten some input from fellow Writers of Mass Distraction Mike Saxton and Mark Hunter on this one. I promise, there will be no sign of the Annoying One, or anything remotely resembling a Kardashian (complete aside: Memo to NASA... figure out a way to launch the Kardashian family into the sun, and you'll have funding for the next four billion years).

And so, on with the list....

I must, of course, start out with the enchanting Emily Blunt....

And while we're at it, Rachel Weisz certainly rates more then a mention.

Ayelet Zurer is an Israeli actress you might best know from Angels & Demons. She's feisty. I like feisty, what can I say?

Mike put in a good word for Jessica Alba. She does have that effect....

Helen Mirren is one of those actresses who just looks great at any age. And she commands the screen when she shows up.

There's no way I could compile a list like this and leave Anne Hathaway out....

The first time I saw Kate Mara in anything, it was in an slightly unhinged role in 24...Since then she's shown up in films like Stone of Destiny and 127 Hours. She's got spirit.

For the musically inclined, there's Carrie Underwood...

Mark brought up the exceptional Natalie Portman. He and I are in agreement!

I know that Collin's fond of Jeri Ryan, who was so memorable in Star Trek Voyager... (Resistance is futile!)

I've been amazed by this next actress in pretty much any role she's played. Catherine Keener is one of those actresses who comes across as the smartest player in the game, and is fascinating to watch.

The same goes for Catherine Zeta Jones, who happens to be handy with a sword...

And I've had a fondness for Juliette Binoche ever since Chocolat....

I present to you... Sela Ward.

Another of my favourite actresses, Kelly MacDonald....

Mike is a fan of the new program Revenge. I haven't seen it, but he thinks two of the cast members deserve a mention. First, there's Emily VanCamp...

And Ashley Medekwe...

I have to add two singers to the mix, the first being the lovely Norah Jones...

And the second being my favourite singer, Sarah McLachlan....

Helena Bonham Carter has been one of my favourite actresses for a long while, and has a habit of playing off kilter or even deranged characters on screen... when she's not playing a queen, that is...

Mark enjoys how Eliza Dushku kicks butt, takes names, and looks great doing it. I agree with him!

I mentioned Alias earlier. Of course the smashing Jennifer Garner must make this list. Just like Eliza, she looks great kicking butt and taking names....

Scarlett Johansson gets to play the world's most dangerous woman in The Avengers. She rates as a contender....

How can we forget Rachel McAdams? She lights up the screen everytime she's on it...

I'm a big fan of Castle, so naturally I must give a nod to the outstanding Stana Katic....

And of course, the love of Kermit's life. She insisted on being on the list. And as a wise man once said, "It's wisest to give Miss Piggy what she wants."

Rise Up, Turkeys, And Overthrow The Humans! It Is Your Destiny!

I know, it has nothing to do with Thanksgiving, but indulge me...

And so it was, on that day in late October, that the conspiracy began in a small Maine town that would soon overthrow the human order. With a conversation between a trio of turkeys, the ground was set for the Turkey Revolution, and from that day on, nothing would ever be the same again. Before the humans knew what was happening, across the world, the turkeys had taken control, had established a new society with themselves at the head of the table. There was much wailing and distress among the humans, for they knew not how to take back what had once been theirs...

Yes, it's Thanksgiving once again for our American friends, that particular time of year in which gluttony is allowed, football games are played endlessly, and epic meals are served. People gather together from across the land (this is a big travel time for the Yanks), marking a tradition that supposedly goes back to the time of the pilgrims. The holiday season goes into full swing with Christmas inexplicably linked in the minds of Americans to this particular holiday. It becomes a spectable writ large, which baffles the rest of us. We Canadians had Thanksgiving weeks ago, and we don't turn it into a major production!

As is so often the case, the editorial cartoonists take in the theme of Thanksgiving into their work. This year, the President and the slate of Republican candidates (it's still nearly a year away!) find themselves the target of some of those cartoons, while the holiday itself serves as good inspirational fodder.....

I'll say it straight out... I'm not all that much of a turkey fan. I'd prefer a nice roast. Maybe some steak, cooked in a good wine sauce. Of course, that's just a meal. The Thanksgiving dinner is, like I said, epic. We're talking about turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, three or four kinds of vegetables, stuffing, cranberry sauce, apple sauce, breads and rolls, some ham on the side, pumpkin pie, blueberry pie, pecan pie, pies filled with small mini pies...

With all that food, who needs to eat for the next week? It's no wonder falling asleep after dinner is typical at these occasions....

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends. Don't get too stuffed. After all, there's Black Friday and the insanity of massive savings and big lineups to face, for those of you so inclined.

And if you're wondering what happened to the turkey you turned your back on... ask the cat.