Review: This Tolkien-type fantasy can be read on many levels
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 14, 2011
This Tolkien-type fantasy can be understood on many levels. It can, of course, be taken on face value without seeking any inner message. It would then be a tale of a fantasy being, Newert, seeking to help his community restore the magic that is fading away without understanding that the teachings of his teacher are wrong and that by trying to effectuate them, he is bringing harm to his fellow beings.It could also be read as an unfavorable comment on religion. The songs that Newert sings are not magic, but prayers; his different acts as religious ceremonies; the loss of magic in the area as a decline in religious worship; and his misguided attempt to bring back magic as his attempt to reinvigorate religion among his fellows.On a more practical level, the story could be read as the all-to-frequent attempt by people to solve their problems by some almost-magical way - by hope, prayer, or faith - rather than by hard work. In short, the story is thought provoking because of the many ways that it can be interpreted.