Fiction

Below one will find fictional works within the personal library of Bradford Myers, as well as reviews of select works. One may search by title in alphabetical order, or browse by genre.

THE DA VINCI CODE

REVIEW DATE: 02/03/06

First Edition: 03/18/03

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THOUGH I am jumping on The Da Vinci Code bandwagon rather tardily, I am very glad I decided to hop on and enjoy the ride. Dan Brown's character Robert Langdon (appearing first in Angels & Demons, which is now on my "to read" list) is caught up in a mystery/thriller who-done-it shrouded in masterfully recreated history, creative symbolism, murder, kidnapping, international intrigue, religion, politics, and much more. This is a fast-paced novel that will leave you at its mercy as you are forced to turn page after page in order to learn what will happen next. However, the book did tend to drag toward the end; wanting resolution to come more quickly than it did. And the mystery is somewhat foreseeable and predictable in general terms, which is a little disappointing. Regardless, it is an engrossing and imaginative novel. It is amazing how he weaves history (fallacious as it may be) and fiction (far-stretching as it may be) to produce a unique tale. This is a novel all should enjoy. One must remember it is fiction, but with that in mind it is fun for all.

THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE (Chronicles of Narnia)

REVIEW DATE: 02/04/06

First Edition: 1955

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OF course The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the most popular and most well-known novel in the seven volumes set of The Chronicles of Narnia. This introduction of Lucy, Suzan, Edmund, and Peter (the royalty Pevensies of Narnia) sets the stage, if you will, for the plot of all the Narnia books. Readers are swallowed up in the adventures of these newcomers to this other world, finding delightful and horrible creatures alike. The magical world of talking beasts and creatures--evils wolves, friendly beavers, loyal fawns, proud centaurs, crafty dwarfs, dancing tree nymphs, talking trees--is one of wonder and awe. The allegory of Christ's death and resurrection for the sins of mankind comes to life as the noble Lion, King Aslan, saves Narnia from the one-hundred year winter under the rule and reign of the tyrannical White Witch. Treachery, sabatoge, kidnapping, murder, battles, honor, glory, sacrifice, salvation, redemption, are rolled into one in this magnificent tale. One cannot help but read this novel in one sitting.

THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW (Chronicles of Narnia)

REVIEW DATE: 02/04/06

First Edition: 1955

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THIS title was not the first novel written in the Chronicles of Narnia series, but it does precede all other books chronologically within the story-line of the series. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was the fist book written in the series, but this particular novel gives the background and explanation of the mysterious world to which one is introduced and in which one is thrust as Lucy walks into the wardrobe for the first time. The Magician's Nephew explains how the world of Narnia and the creatures within it came to being. Allegorically, this installment in the Narnia series is Genesis 1-3 of the Bible. In fact, this particular volume is one of the most easily understood allegories of the Bible, which makes it rather fascinating. The historical background of Lewis' world, Narnia, is a fascinating tale full of magic and awe. Traveling to and from worlds, one learns the origin of Azlan, Narnia, the White Witch, Digory Kirke, Polly Plummer, the talking beasts, the non-talking beasts, the lamppost, etc. Comparatively, this book in the Chronicles series is not as gripping as the others, but is a great and necessary read. In order to fully appreciate the series, this book is essential.