Customer Reviews

The Pflatlands

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

 

 

R.D. Hammond's genius truly shines in The Pflatlands. Sarah is so realistic and absolutely relatable. Dahn is every woman's fantasy: He's brooding, handsome, and very romantic. The story of Dahn and Sarah's passionate yet chaste love will prove to be a classic, on par with Wuthering Heights or Pride and Prejudice.
My favorite part is when Dahn scares off Sarah's attackers in Port Angeles and then takes her out to eat. Seeing Dahn really open up about his past and trust Sarah with his secret is really evocative and touching. The best part is how Dahn keeps Sarah in the dark about what happens when he is exposed to sunlight until the perfect moment. The scene in the meadow is what dreams are made of. When Dahn takes off his shirt and steps into the sunlight to show Sarah his glorious, sparkling skin, I felt like I was there in the meadow with them.
Do yourself a favor and buy this book. It's AMAZING!

You'd think that a young girl would know better than to enter a seemingly abandoned cabin deep in the woods... but then you don't know Sarah.

R.D. Hammond creates a creepy modern masterpiece as Sarah, stricken with grief over the loss of her vampire lover, wanders the dark woods in search of him, of love, and of herself. Instead she finds a small cabin and goes inside... only to find three abandoned chairs, meals still cooling on the rough-hewn table, beds still warm. Desperate to connect with anything, anyone, she tries each of their hastily left meals, settles into their chairs, even lays in their beds.

What does she find? The whispery kiss of her lost vampire lover, Dahn? No. Cold porridge. "What is porridge?" She wails? (Spoiler: It's people.) "Where will I ever fit in?"

Where WILL she ever fit in? It's an existential question at the heart of this ground-breaking novel. Frankly I didn't agree with Sarah's decision to jump out the window at the end, but I've never really "gotten" philosophy anyway.

This is an enduring tale of love and happiness. The story is timeless and full of love and romance. Dahn has such valor and is quite the noble gentleman. Sarah is downtrodden yet spunky. He rescues Sarah from the horrid conditions of her home life. They met at a royal gala that Sarah had been forbidden to go to by her stepmother. She snuck out of the house after her stepmother and stepsisters left for the same gala! Dressed to the nines, Sarah and Dahn dance all night long. As Sarah leaves in a rush, as not to get caught at the gala by her stepmother and be forced to endure another round of vicious beatings, she leaves one of her shoes behind. The next morning, Dahn sent several of his man servants around town to find Sarah, as all he knew of her was that she wore tiny glass shoes and he thought that she was very pretty. I won't give away the end and tell you what happens next. You'll have to buy this wonderful tale and find out for yourself. But don't worry, no one dies..

My favorite part was when, while rafting down the Mississippi, Sarah and Dahn met the king and duke. Eventually Sarah realized they wanted to sell Dahn back into slavery. It was pretty groundbreaking when Sarah decided that, even if she went to hell, she would do everything in her power to free Dahn because Dahn was her friend. But then, she encountered her old friend Tom Sawyer and it was back to their normal hijinks. Dahn ended up being freed out of gratitude, but it was a bit of a cop-out for the then-controversial book, which didn't want to sound like it was advocating what would be considered a crime in our time.

It is not often that one finds a book in fantasy/science-fiction that is truly funny. I do not mean satire with its usual component of thinly veiled cruelty. This is a good, well-written story told with humor. For a tale that will hold you and keep a broad smile on your face, buy and read THE PFLATLANDS.

I first read The Pflatlands when I was in 8th grade. I think everyone in America should have to read this book! In this depression-era account of injustice and racism in small-town America, the reader is instantly involved in the drama of a man trying to fight a bigoted community. I love Sarah and Dahn's relationship. Their determination to do the right thing and save Tom Robinson is powerful and touching. When Boo saved Sarah's life, America learned not to base their opinions on appearances and idle gossip. If you've never read The Pflatlands, you're missing a vital part of what it means to be an American.

I first read The Pflatlands when I was in 8th grade. I think everyone in America should have to read this book! In this depression-era account of injustice and racism in small-town America, the reader is instantly involved in the drama of a man trying to fight a bigoted community. I love Sarah and Dahn's relationship. Their determination to do the right thing and save Tom Robinson is powerful and touching. When Boo saved Sarah's life, America learned not to base their opinions on appearances and idle gossip. If you've never read The Pflatlands, you're missing a vital part of what it means to be an American.

I reluctantly put the book down to do something mundane, only to find someone else in my family had picked it up, and wouldn't put it down! We spent a couple of days sniping the book from each other, not wanting to miss a page.

A great and funny tale without being forced. Honestly good natured and real, right down to the fantastic dialogue.

Finally finishing the long and difficult journey from its creator's brain to hardbound publication, R.D. Hammond's first published novel does not disappoint. The narrative is smartly constructed, complex but still following a natural flow, despite a few pop culture references seeming out of place. The dialog is witty and the characters, for all their quirks and absurdities, feel real and solid. Though clearly influenced by the likes of Adams, Pratchett, and Foglio, Hammond creates his own style rather than simply attempting to ape an established writer, and the result is a genuinely funny, witty, fantastic ride. I devoured this book in just over a weekend, and am chomping on the bit for more.

Want a fantasy that is totally new and laugh-out-loud? This book will not dissapoint. I loved it--concept, characters, and resolution! And I've learned that it is the first of a series -- that rocks!