Customer Reviews

The High House (Aspect Fantasy)

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'm not an avid fantasy fan, but I had a chance to meet Mr. Stoddard and get an autographed copy so I read the book. Wow! I was very impressed! HIGH HOUSE is written with an older style, emphasizing the characters and the description more than the action--although there is still plenty of action!

The bad guy, the Bobby, was an excellent character--even though, yes, he was <gasp!> an anarchist! (Look it up, guys, and you'll find that Webster defines the term just like James Stoddard uses it with his characters--lawlessness and disorder.)

I highly recommend this book, and I'm really looking forward to the sequel.

Stoddard's account of the High House Evenmere and young Carter Anderson's maturation into power as its master is a superb and original first novel. This book features a house which is the mechanism that runs the universe, the Biblical character Enoch on the household staff, suitably scary villains, and ethical dilemmas (gasp!) which complement rather than drown the story.

Above all, Stoddard can write. His prose is skillful and never excessive. Mood and atmosphere are wonderfully maintained throughout, and Stoddard's story never flags or disappoints. I read the book in one single late-night page-turning frenzy, and it was worth every yawn the next day.

This is not a tired rehash of worn-out fantasy cliches, although Stoddard has obviously read the classics in the field and pays witty in-joke homage to MacDonald, Peake, Morrison, and others; instead it is a refreshingly unique, deceptively simple, and powerful tale. The book is a delight, and Stoddard is a name to watch for.

I have not been so taken by a book since I first read C.S. Lewis's "Narnia" books (a comparison that Mr. Stoddard makes mention of in his introduction). I was amazed by his invention and storytelling abilities, especially since this is his first novel.

My wife and I spent several evenings reading chapters of this tale to one another, never wanting to put the book down until it was much too late in evening and our eyes simply wouldn't stay open.

If you enjoy a fantastic tale with a spiritual twist this is the book for you. From the fantastic house itself to the many worlds that it contains you will be spellbound by this story. If your tastes allow for the occasional oddity of man-eating furniture or faceless villain then you are in for a treat.

I look forward anxiously to James Stoddard's next novel.

Recently, I have had the pleasure of reading fantasy again and happened upon the gem. When I was in early primary school I watched the cartoon version of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and my reading habits started to pick up. If I hadn't read the novels of C S Lewis, I wouldn't have the interest in literature and learning that I have today.
Three months ago, I came across The High House in the discount box at our bookstore and read the back. In this case, the cover and binding caught my attention so I decided to buy it. I breezed through the reading of it like a hurricane. For me, I began to reminisce about my youth (although not that long ago) reading The Chronicles of Narnia (C S Lewis) and The Chronicles of Prydain (Lloyd Alexander). Stoddard is able to speak to child in all of adultkind, respectfully paying homage to the fantasy writers of yesteryear in the first few pages and at the same time touching those new to fantasy.
The result is a wondrous tale of a young man trying to find his place in the world whilst also trying to save it. Young Carter Anderson must return to his childhood home after his father's will is read. He has to deal with a hateful step-mother (Lady Murmur) and a half-brother who she has poisoned against him (Duskin) whilst the House chooses its caretaker. Carter has to deal with the nightmares of his childhood when the group called The Anarchists start to take over the house. Beautiflly weaved, this odd tale is a trip throught the back of the wardrobe, where the worlds are as plentiful as the doors you step through. A pleasure to read!

Dianne

PS My rating is based on the unusual genre, the fact that I realise that some may not enjoy it.

"...If we stood here until the end of the world, you and I, the explanation would not be done, for I could tell you...a thousand different ways:...It would all mean nothing--pictures with words painted in mud, tinfoil copies of precious jewels, oil-slick dabbings with watercolor easels. Never close to the real thing. "But I will tell you this, the High House is shooting stars and children's tears, rainbows and the small tiny cracks between the bricks where the young grass grows; cold graves and gooseflesh, clear water when drowning, gray dust when dying of thirst, ancient engineers in railroad yards, mad ladies mumbling in the street. Is that clear? No? It will have to do. What is the next question?" _The High House_ is a fabulous book. Where to start? The writing is amazing. If I hadn't known it was published in 1998, I would have easily believed it was 1898. It reminds me of Tolkien--what Tolkien might have written if he hadn't been so dry and impersonal. The ideas are original and refreshing. From the gnawlings to Jormungand to, especially, the House itself, all the details of this book will remain with me for a long, long time. I can't think of any aspect of this book that isn't just about perfect. All my book-loving friends are getting this for Christmas. Very highly recommended.

After years of reading about interchangeable warriors/evil kings/sorcerors/gods and lengthy books like in the Wheel of Time series, which have no beginning, no ending and little in between, this is finally a novel to love.

Stoddards setting and his characters are extremely interesting (for example the introduction of the biblical character Enoch!), and he actually uses a plot ;)

And last but not least, The High House is a homage to the authors who created the genre (Carter likes sitting by his well and reading "The Well at the End of the World"....)

If you are a fan of High Fantays, this is a novel not to miss!

I don't normally "go on" about a book unless I feel the praise is highly deserved. The High House is one of those rare book that I did not want to end (I know it's a cliche, but the truth). This book was like curling up in front of a roaring fireplace with a good strong mug of tea and, if so inclined, a good pipe. The language was rich and the story unique,yet so familiar. This book was truly written in a "classic" style. And finally a storyline without explicit language, sex, or violence. How refreshing! I have already loaned my copy to a friend's 15 year old son who loves Tolkien.

Mr. Stoddard, if you happen to read this, I want to personally say thank you and please write more soon! You have a wonderful style that, IMHO, has been sorely missing from most recent fantasy writing. If you have the time, please E-Mail me (folkkids@advnet.net), as I would love to hear about some background on The High House, your influences, and how you started writing. Thanks once again.

I resisted reading this novel for almost a year - I assumed that any story purportedly paying homage to Dunsany, Morris & Lewis would, in a word, stink. Overblown language, cardboard characters - the works. Was I surprised to discover what a fine story awaited me, of a type I thought long gone. All the previous reviews can be relied upon - including the young anarchist's. After all, any story hated by a serious-minded, unimaginative political idealogue is bound to be entertaining. Don't miss this one.

The astonishing creativity and deep, far-outside-the-box thinking inherent in this work amazes me. It's not often that you find a writer with both the intellectual capacity and the writing skills to put together a novel such as this. The high style of the writing may put off some readers, and any anarchists reading this work are sure to be unhappy, but for anyone who appreciates deep thinking, excellent writing and high fantasy, this book is a must-read and a sure winner.

An interesting and imaginative book not at all like a typical bad Tolkien imitation. The house in some fashion is the embodiment or focal point of all creation, and its rooms lead to other worlds. Curiously and interestingly, outside and inside mingle in some of those worlds in a fashion my brief description does no justice too. It's a setting as interesting as Gormenghast, but the storytelling is orders of magnitude better, and the very concept of the High House and its Master have mythopoetic quality.