The Contemporary Nomad is where five authors talk with you, dear reader, about the important subjects of the day. Whatever we decide they might be. Read more 
W I G N A L L
I’m loathe to tell you that the books I’m about to discuss are YA novels because too many of you will discount them accordingly, but that would be your loss.
I’ve just had the pleasure of reading Magic or Madness and Magic Lessons, the first two books in the Magic or Madness Trilogy by Justine Larbalestier. The third book, Magic’s Child will be available in March 2007 (but if you’re in the UK, frustratingly, you’ll have to order the books from www.amazon.co.uk rather than your bookshop).
Don’t be lured by the mention of magic into thinking these are schlocky Charmed rip-offs. The author has created a compelling version of magic which is underpinned with science and its own tragic mythology. In a story that jumps (quite literally) between Sydney and New York, we see how the “blessing” of magic impacts on the lives of three teenagers and it’s completely captivating. Perhaps the best thing I can say about it is that I never had to suspend my disbelief because above all, the books are imbued with truth.
Justine is an Australian and she’s also pulled off the intriguing feat of having some chapters written in American English and some written in Australian English, and much is made of the comical differences between the two. For those not in the know, Australian English is essentially a dialect of British English, in that, as with many British regional dialects, it takes the base language and runs with it. American English, thanks to Noah Webster, cut some of the links to the base language and that’s a large part of the reason the two can sound so alien to each other. Yet amazingly, in Justine’s hands those differences are turned into a huge asset and the language crackles and leaps off the page. It’s a beautiful thing to behold and a first as far as I’m aware.
That’s enough. Read these books.
January 30th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
I’ve been wanting to for ages, this is just an extra nudge in the right direction. But Kevin is absolutely right: some of the best writing is taking place within YA borders, which often allow for much more creative freedom.
BTW, have you read THE BOOK THIEF yet? It’s in my TBR (as is Linda Newbery’s Whitbread-winning book) and I’m waffling on it, mostly b/c of the length.
January 30th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Sarah, that’s so funny – I read a review of The Book Thief and was thinking I’d get it until I saw the page length!
And that’s the other beauty of YA, particularly for slowwwww readers like me – by necessity, the authors still generally follow the old dictum that brevity is the soul of wit.
Btw, I know YOU will love these books.
January 31st, 2007 at 3:20 pm
I have been reading and reviewing YA titles for some time now. They can be just as entertaining and thought provoking as those in the “adult” section.
In fact, Richard Lewis wrote one of my favorite books of recent years, The Flame Tree, as a straightforward novel but Simon and Schuster published it under their YA imprint.
My wife and I have been enjoying Michael Buckley’s Sisters Grimm series and fighting over who gets to read the next book in the series first (I was a gentlemen and let my wife read it).
In an interesting twist Buckley has been commenting on his own books at Amazon (see here). What do you think of that strategy?
I will make a note of this series. Like Sarah, I have The Book Thief in my TBR pile but have been intimidated by the length. Perhaps, we should all just read it so we can discuss it.
February 2nd, 2007 at 2:01 am
I’d say the only differences between Brit and Oz English are the colloquialisms. But that’s always a regional thing anyway.
February 2nd, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Good point, Daniel. Justine’s a great writer but she has some funny ideas – believe it or not, she even thinks Australia is better at cricket than England… wait there, the nurse is calling me for my medication.
February 2nd, 2007 at 11:18 pm
Kevin, I guess you missed that little match or two called The Ashes …
February 3rd, 2007 at 12:38 am
If only Ponting had missed them!