A story cycle
by
George Polley
Published by Night Publishing.
Copyright 2009, George Polley
Grandfather and the Raven is a book of life cycles and lessons; beautifully narrated by George Polley.
This is the type of book I would love to have had access to when my own child was growing up, a book to be read and re read and remembered with soft smiles and nods of understanding.
The author takes you into the world of a Japanese grandfather, befriended unexpectedly by a raven. A wise and knowing bird. He soon becomes inseparable with his human friend: and his human friend the ‘Grandfather’ of the title understands his new friend and everything he says.
He names the bird ‘Sir Raven’.
The author takes us through life lessons told in a warm and inviting style. The voice of the grandfather is both soothing and touched with humor.
We travel through a kaliedascope of clever stories, lessons on the harsh reprisals of revenge and selfishness, to harmful gossip and humans refusal to see the magic in the world around them.
We join Grandfather and Sir Raven as they utilize the assistance of other members of Sir Raven’s family, notably “Flyer” who becomes the running coach of one small boy who wanted to be famous as a runner; yet knew no boundaries and little of the pacing and practice it takes to fulfill such a dream.
We journey gently through the things children fear, and are shown how the fear can be overcome with knowledge and ingenuity.
The stories touch on difficult topics in a clear way, teaching that violence is an unacceptable thing, and that it will not go unpunished.
Selfish and spiteful behavior is shown to be clearly wrong, by showing that the opposite is so clearly right.
One particular chapter deals with our inability to see what is right in front of our eyes; and how easy it is to fall into the trap of seeing something as bad, before we have the information to prove that it is not.
The sadness of death and the futility of war is covered with an insightful and precise voice. A message that should have been heard many years ago, and sadly went unheeded.
A marvelous book written with a pen dipped in a deep knowledge of the human condition.
I have no hesitation in giving this a five from five rating.
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| 1=Don't Bother |
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| 2=So So |
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| 3=Good |
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| 4=Excellent |
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| 5=MUST READ + |
I completely agree Soooz. It has been on my book shelf for most of the summer months as a tribute.
ReplyDeleteTee x
Very nicely covered Sooz, George has an endearing style which should be with a bigger audience.
ReplyDeleteBruce