Customer Reviews

The Elementals

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book initially seems to begin as a series of rather odd short stories, until the author sneaks up behind you like a thief, stealing your breath and your heart, and you find your jaw was left on the ground about a mile back. I've never been an environmental fanatic, but upon closing this book I immediately went and threw out my aerosol hairspray cans. Well worth reading, and VERY well worth reading a second time!

This book was one of three books we studied in my English Lit II class. I read the whole book in one day, and it was a great book. The Elementals combines classic myths with great fictional storytelling. The first two parts are fantastic, especially the second about the destruction of the island of Thebes, which is one of the islands belived to be the real Atlantis. The final story was a tough one for me to read, because it portrays a very disturbing end to the human race, but the book ends with a strong hope for redemption. A tremendous effort by one of the leading Celtic writers of our time.

"Water". The melting of the ice caps leads to the great flood destroying Atlantis. Few survive the calamity, but Kesair leads the small band in a desperate search for land that takes them to Emerald Isle in hopes of starting over

"Fire". If you can make it in the palaces of Crete, you can make it anywhere thinks talented musician Meriones. When the volcano erupts, spewing fire everywhere, Meriones struggles not just to survive, but to rethink his philosophy of life. He now understands that man proposes, nature disposes.

"Earth". Good old Earth allegedly has no feelings as mankind goes about destroying it. Tell New England housewife Annie Murphy that Earth lacks compassion as she is the demanded sacrifice or else the planet has nasty plans for mankind.

"Air". Several millenniums have passed since Kesair survived the sinking of Atlantis. The Earth has seen what man has done and become. George Burningfeather leads the final battle of survival though it seems obvious that mankind's reign is done.

This is a cautionary "anthology" consisting of four warning novellas that if humanity does not change and take care of the planet, the Earth will react. The first two tales are incredibly powerful ancient historical stories that adhere to the warning theme inside an exciting narrative. The "Earth" story seems a bit flat compared to the previous duo while the "Air' contribution will leave readers breathless. Superb admonitory ecological allegory that not so gaily asks, "What's Going On" while forewarning that "in the Year 2525..."

Harriet Klausner

This is not a book for light reading. It has 4 stories involving 4 elements of earth. Each elemental story has a central character descended from the first, each element involves a powerful story of nature. A very good read that affected me and how I perceive what we're doing to our world, which, I believe, was the authors point.

At first it was a mystery, as to where you are being taken. As you read further and further you start get the feeling and then the connection to Mother Earth, which starts to pervade you thoughts and with the final chapter you suddenly are in awe of what Morgan has created. An equal to creation stories in the Bible but much easier to read. Fascinating and exciting and very, very well done.

This book is actually four stories which follow people who are (presumably) linked by a genetic inheritance of affinity/control over each of the four basic elements: earth, air, fire and water. The characters are very compelling and so well written that I kept looking at the cover and wondering why I had never heard of Llywelyn before. Some readers may find it too preachy; the author basically hits you over the head with the environmental message.

The first two stories of The Elementals were classic Llywelyn, solid historical storytelling. The last two which were set closer to present time bordered on boring. A long time Llywelyn fan, I had trouble reading the last half of the book and found myself literally skipping and skimming pages. I definitely thought that Llywelyn was out of her element writing about the future in The Elementals.

Simply a masterpiece. What initially looks like a collection of short stories becomes a single masterful piece which brings the elements to life and leaves the reader with a sense of awe. Nobody could have done it better!

At first I didn't understand that it was four shorter stories, each focusing on an element. I was a bit disappointed because I truly wanted more to read in regards to the first two stories. I was also a bit disappointed with the dark and hopeless way the fourth story was told, but the last sentence and what it implicated sent chills up my spine and made this a very very good book. I also like the way each story was connected to the one before it. I recommend it.

The first two stories in the book are very well written, and I had no problems at all finishing them. In fact, it was hard to stop reading until I hit the third story. From that point on, the book went on a downward spiral. If possible, I recommend borrowing the book from a friend and sticking to the first half of the novel. You won't miss much by skipping the last half.