Ann Walker
1/21/2017
Oh you guys, this book, I can't even. I don't usually do synopses of books I've read, but in this case, I'll give it a go: once her youngest child heads off to school, a suburban housewife, Sue, discovers a medieval-esque fantasy world. Sue isn't transported into the world - it's not a time-travel or portal fantasy - and Sue isn't a frustrated novelist who suddenly is inspired to create the world now that she has leisure to do so. The world simply exists, and Sue is able to witness events there as they unfold. She can communicate with some of the residents there - and their comments about Sue's world are hilarious! - but they don't directly effect the events in each others' worlds at all.
Through her introduction to this world, Sue begins to change. She develops an interest in classical music and medieval history. She becomes more adventurous with cooking (and, apparently, sex.) She paints her home, redecorates, gardens, sews more elegant clothing for herself. She involves herself in the PTA, and discovers unexpected leadership skills. She encourages her husband towards more education, and begins to attend college classes herself. She becomes more aware of her self-worth, and those around her begin to become aware of it as well.
(While this is all happening, fantasy-world things are happening in the other world, and they are pretty-standard fantasy world things: war, magic, romance, etc. As simple as Sue's world is, the fantasy world is the less compelling of the two here.)
Though some elements of the story are almost hilariously dated (the TV shows they watch, the home computer they purchase) the bones of the story are good. Any of us who have taken up the study of the Elvish language, or horseback riding, or stained glass, or have become politically active, because of something we've read that's become so real and essential to us will find much to love in this book. Which - best of all! - is available as a free download from the author's website: http://kithrup.com/~djheydt/
I spent Inauguration Day in a pleasant cocoon of this book, tea, and cookies. I can't hide from the world forever - and Sue certainly wasn't hiding from her life within the other world - but I can take comfort in an unusual tale, well told. So there's another addition to my Comfort Reads shelf.