Review: Christian-based Fables From Ukraine
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 15, 2013
The Ukrainian author Natalia Dobzhanska has written a book of 17 fables, cast in a timeless but modern idiom and they have been rendered into a clear English and beautiful prose by Alan Knight.I fear some of today's readers might need to know that a fable is a fictional (often a fantastical)narrative, usually couched in a simple but evocative language that serves as an exemplar of some folk wisdom or of some eternal truth.  Such truths often need reaffirming and that is the task of this little book.The book begins by offering a beautiful cover illustrating two of the main fables:  "Legend of an Iron Tower" (about the power of prophecy) and "Lilac", a fable illustrating the power of tender and lasting love and of selfless service.  The fables, themselves, begin with "The Carrier", in which a grey man of worldly business, with a grey home life, gets in touch with a more complete internal life with positive external effects on his community and his family.  In "Legend of a Sea and a Cliff", implacable force meets immovable object:  can the power of loving care reconcile them?  Can individuals give total sacrifice even to one, most special 'other?'One of my favorite fables is "Re-lig (Angel Incarnate)", an imaginative tale about the dual nature of heavenly beings as both 'man' and 'angel' One has to read carefully to distinguish this second angel from Jesus, who is mentioned in the first paragraph(perhaps this is Ukranian Orthodox theology).  Interesting events trace this angelic being's earthly and spiritual development as he leaves heaven for life on earth and prepares for his return.  In "The Wrapper", false pride paves the way for new life and redemption.  In "The Hunchback", the trial of disfigurement in this world becomes a metaphor for the preparation for Glory to come.Almost all of these stories are quietly inspirational ("Together" is one exception, seemingly lacking transcendent meaning.)  The fables show people of faith in their struggle against life's hardships as they seek a way forward.This is a work for 'dipping into' from time to time, when in need of reaffirmation.