Customer Reviews

Downriver

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What you own is not who you are. Most people believe that appearance trumps substance, and behave accordingly, often to their detriment. Those who seem to be more powerful than you often have the same problems that you do, but on a different scale. It is tempting to say that "Downriver" is the Tao te Ching meets "Lord of the Rings", or at least "The Hobbit". It is a worthy entrant in 'The Hero's Journey' genre described by Joseph Campbell in 'The Power of Myth'. 'Downriver' entertains you while slipping some important lessons through, such as the importance of not being that attached to temporal things and the paradox of "not doing", which is often the only way to accomplish a goal.

A thoughtful and thought-provoking story of one's search for meaning in a life of turmoil and an understanding of others not so unlike ourselves as we may think. Popey's adventures bring him a maturity and insight we all need but often fail to achieve.

There are two very cool things about this book. The first is that, though the story seems simple as you first dig into it, the words stay with you because of the vivid imagery. The second is how the characters develop deeper morals by exploring and being a part of their world, as the adventure 'deepens the soul'. It's a good read with a positive and powerful message. Reccomended!

Erik Hare writes of an Earth where humans (Giants) and gnomes (Hopnegs) coexist. While the Hopnegs are little more than legend to the Giants, the Giants are very real to the Hopnegs and pose a tremendous threat with their customs. Oblivious to the damage they inflict, Giants take ownership of land, forcing the Hopneg people to constantly move and rebuild further away from the Giant communities.

One young Hopneg called Popey finds himself in this position one morning, fleeing from a demolished home while the Giants' "Demon" roars by. He seeks solace in his sister's home, and after a time of reflection, decides that there must be some way to fight the Giants so his people don't need to flee from their village. Unfortunately, the leaders of the village have already made the decision to leave their homes behind and move on, following the ancient advice of "The Book."

Popey realizes the world is full of knowledge that he doesn't think he can learn from the limited confines of his fellow Hopnegs and The Book. He decides to set out on his own to discover a way to defeat the Giants so that his people are not forever running. Along the path, he meets a seasoned traveler, Shajee, who shows him the way of the open road and teaches him how to use the Giants to his advantage. The advice Shajee provides will carry Popey through important trials and allows Popey to see the world for what it really is.

Downriver is a tale full of metaphors and subtle admonishments for the reckless ways we choose to live our lives. It illustrates the power we allow possessions to hold over our existence and the shift in priorities from people to things. It is somewhat of a guidebook for young readers, showing what the world was, what the world is, and what it could be. It allows readers a glimpse of the reality that each of us only lives what we know, making the best of what we have, and that may not always be the right decision, but it is an individual experience for every being.

The story flows nicely and the colorful imagery makes for a magical fantasy tale on the most basic of levels. The wisdom between the lines pushes this book toward the Philosophy genre, despite its teen audience and fantasy dressings. This book would make excellent assigned reading material for a middle school audience with all it can offer and the various interpretations that can be made.

I enjoyed reading Downriver and appreciated its metaphorical imagery. It is a story that children and adolescents will also enjoy, since the narrative provides an accessible framework for understanding the Tao Te Ching. The writing has a lyrical style with somewhat staccato dialogue that allows us to experience magical but also familiar places during the journey.

Reviewed by Ian McCurley (Age 13) for Reader Views (05/07)



"Downriver" begins with the race of the Hopnegs, diminutive 3-inch tall people, who like Humans are intelligent but fear Human machines as "demons". One of these "demons" lives up to its reputation when it runs over and completely destroys the house of the Hopneg, Popey. He barely escapes with his life in his pajamas, and the lack of possessions turns him into a Punk, or a Hopneg without the magic of ownership. Seeking to warn the people of his nearby village, he travels to the village to deliver his message to its leader, Rouger. After delivering his message, Rouger, decides based on the wisdom of the Book, to move the entire village to a different location. Popey and another Hopneg, Rod, rally the town to destroy the "demon" by putting grass into its exhaust. But this fails as the Humans simply remove the grass. Having failed, the Hopnegs realize that they must go upriver, away from the "Giants". Popey, however, decides to go downriver in his quest to discover knowledge of the Humans and their mysterious magic. Not far into Popey's trail, he is met by a Traveler called Shajee who is experienced in the way of the world and the Humans. For instance, Shajee not only knows things about the physical Human world and how to get around in it, he also has an understanding of Human psychology which, in my opinion, is in a way somewhat better than our understanding. As they journey through the Human cities, Popey and you, the reader, get a new perspective on these "Giants", or Humans who do everything bigger than themselves.

"Downriver" is for ages 12 and up, especially those who liked the "Borrowers" book series. Erik Hare's writing style is new and unique, and refreshingly different. He gives vivid descriptions of certain aspects of both the physical and personal persuasion that set the mood in a way unlike any other. Gradually, I became engrossed in the story. "Downriver" is an interesting, funny and deep book that will be enjoyed by many.

Book received free of charge.