Masson, Sophie. Snow fire sword.MASSON, Sophie. Snow fire sword. HarperCollins. 359p. c2006. 0-06-079091-1. $15.99. J Using elements of traditional Indonesian mythology History The origin of Indonesian mythology can be traced back to the earliest development of Indonesian kingdom predominantly called the Javanese Empire. Fossil evidence suggests the Indonesian archipelago was inhabited by Homo erectus, popularly known as the "Java Man". , Masson weaves in a 20th-century sensibility to create an accessible tale for younger YAs. Sixteen-year-old Adi is apprenticed to a kris-maker (the famous wavy Javan sword), and somewhat psychic Dewi is the daughter of a respected dukun (shaman shaman (shä`mən, shā`–, shă`–), religious practitioner in various, generally small-scale societies who is believed to be able to diagnose, cure, and sometimes cause illness because of a special relationship with, or ). Dewi discovers Adi when he is bound up by his master in order to survive a run-in with the hantumu (modern-day assassins). The two teens are called upon to save the region from a growing evil presence brought on by contemporary society's disbelief in the traditional spirits and ways. The spirits, in their own form of denial, have eschewed modern aspects of human life as well, such as motorized mo·tor·ize tr.v. mo·tor·ized, mo·tor·iz·ing, mo·tor·iz·es 1. To equip with a motor. 2. To supply with motor-driven vehicles. 3. To provide with automobiles. transportation. It takes these innocent young people who accept both spiritual and modern life to bring together all the necessary elements--including the figures representing Snow, Fire, and Sword--to overcome evil. When is the last time you saw spirits in helicopters? The book is a bit childlike: the teens act young for their age; the plot twists are a bit predictable; the adults are usually supportive rather than dismissive. Death is strangely "soft" here as major characters die, but are blessed for their sacrifice; violence occurs, but the tone is muted. Religious conflict is recognized, but the overall theme is acceptance and tolerance. Nevertheless, the underlying conceit conceit, in literature, fanciful or unusual image in which apparently dissimilar things are shown to have a relationship. The Elizabethan poets were fond of Petrarchan conceits, which were conventional comparisons, imitated from the love songs of Petrarch, in which is clever, and should attract readers who want more current folktale folktale, general term for any of numerous varieties of traditional narrative. The telling of stories appears to be a cultural universal, common to primitive and complex societies alike. material. The Indonesian landscape is subtly rendered, and an ending glossary helps explain local terms. Dr. Lesley Farmer, Lib. Svcs., CSULB CSULB California State University at Long Beach , Long Beach, CA J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers. |
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