Customer Reviews

Tathea

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(31)

 

 

I was intrigued when I saw that Anne Perry had written a book billed as a fantasy. I'm not sure I would classify it as a fantasy, but it rather defies any other definition. It's a wonderful story of a spiritual journey, based very closely on the doctrinal beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It's a deep book- be warned. You have to be in a certain frame of mind to really enjoy it. It makes you think- there's no avoiding that. It'll make think hard. Writing this book must have been exhausting. Nearly every line in that book had to be thought out for its allegorical, spiritual, and philosophical symbolism. I think that Tathea ranks up there with the best of C.S. Lewis's allegories.

As a reader of previous Anne Perry novels, I was excited to plunge into this novel and see what she could do with a fantasy. My feelings are mixed: The first third of the book was slow and difficult to wade through. (In fact, it took me a month to find the time to get through it.) However, the remainder of the book was interesting. It certainly wasn't on par with C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, as others may suggest. In fact, it was a bit didactic for me. However, it was an interesting take on a Christian theme. I found the exploration of the themes engaging. I did find the characterizations a bit lacking in depth, except for the title character. All in all, it was a worthwile read if you enjoy Christian literature.

'Tathea' is boring and difficult to understand. I'm trying not to write negative reviews, but I want to save others from making the same mistake I did.

The story has no natural plotline. It's all forced. The character of Tathea overcomes one difficulty only to be faced with another. The supporting characters come and go rapidly. Their names are so similar that it's nearly impossible to distinguish one from another (Surprisingly, this detracts from the story. Many times I found myself wondering who a particular character is, then realized it didn't matter and skipped over it.)

Perry's characters didn't ring true. Tathea's one true friend suddenly rejects her teachings, corrupting doctrine for his own gain. I don't buy it. Characters come to believe Tathea too easily. They disagree, but then suddenly, within the span of a few pages, they're her staunchest supporters.

I've never read an Anne Perry book before. I see from previous reviews that this isn't a representation of her entire body of work. I'm more reluctant to give her another shot, but I'm sure that some day I will.

I think I can understand why some people would feel this book is a disappointment. It isn't a mystery and it is on an entirely different plane than most of Ms. Perry's books. It also explores different spiritual ideas and meanings that some people may have difficulty grasping. Admitedly, I am a Mormon and found the ideas expressed realitivly easy to follow (not that this is a manual of Mormonism, but many of the philosophys are the same.) I went to a book signing of Ms.Perry's a few days ago and decided to purchase the audio book of Tathea because she reads it herself and I could listen to her wonderful voice and accent for hours. The sad part is that before she signed it,she made sure that I was aware that it was not a mystery so I "wouldn't be terribly disappointed." She shouldn't have worried. I had a wonderful experience. It is full of more inner passion and meaning than her other books. It IS a very different book than she usually publishes, but I like it for that. I buy Anne Perry's books for her rich descriptions, unusual character names(world's #1 Aunt Vespasia fan), and her vivid imagry. All of these things are found in Tathea. If you are the type of person who doesn't enjoy change (like only wanting to hear a bands old hits instead of new material) you will probably be disappointed. If you like Anne Perry's books, but won't have your heart broken that the characters aren't all drinking tea and eating hot meat and onion pies wrapped in newspaper on the streets of Victorian London, give this a try,if only to gain a different perspective.

I have read every single book that Anne Perry has written and am greatful for all the pleasuable hours of reading that she has afforded me. For that reason I am sad to relate how disappointed I was with Tathea. It was painfully clear that this book was very special to Perry . It was her attempt to elucidate her philosophy of good verses evil as well as her personal understanding of God. Ufortunately instead of leading us to an understanding through metaphor,plot ,allegory etc.,Perry lays it on us with all the sublty of a t.v.commmercial. Perry's historical fiction is pleasently enertaining, well researched,and enjoyable to read on the whole. Perry is not able to write that one great book. That book that we all perhaps have within us. Not many writers can translate this into print for others to read. I applaud Anne Perry for trying. I could tell that this was very important to her and in respect for all the hours of enjoyment that she has given me I tried to complete the book. Sadly I could not.

I'm normally not motivated to write book reviews, but this book was so bad I decided to say something. Like other naive buyers, I was seduced by the glowing reviews on the cover and the fact that I like Anne Perry's mysteries. Believe me, this book was nothing at all like her mysteries.

The book is so much quasi-spiritual pap written in flowery language. There is no story. There is no plot to speak of. There are flat inhuman characters. There is, however, a great deal of lofty sermonizing.

If you have converted to Mormonism like Anne Perry, you might like this book. Otherwise steer clear of it and spend your money on something else.

I'm a non-fiction fan. In my opinion, all the knowledge and wisdom that can be found in a good how-to book or from reading a real-life situation was the best reading possible. I looked at fiction as an escape that I couldn't really afford. There was just too much else that was actually worth reading.

But something about Anne Perry's "Tathea" intrigued me. Even though it was billed as a "fantasy," it also was described as an exploration of good and evil and the search for truth. So I bought the book, read it, and enjoyed it.

The philosophical side of the book is where "Tathea" excels. Tathea's conversations and revelations among friends, enemies, fellow seekers, unbelievers, demons and angels are the core of the book. These gems are surrounded by an intriguing story and an unusual premise that kept me reading.

The beginning third of "Tathea" is her spiritual journey, filled with symbolism and allusions that lay the foundation for the rest of the book. The second two-thirds of the book follow Tathea on her physical journey of learning, sharing and blessing. One thing I found wanting was the characterizations. I knew the title character well, but the characters of the supporting cast weren't explored as deeply as I found myself wanting them to be.

"Tathea" is more than an escape. It is fiction with meaning. It is not for the reader who wants an easy, shallow story. But if you enjoy being challenged cerebrally and spiritually, I highly recommend it.

I have read and loved Anne Perry for some time. I was very interested to see what she might write as a first try at fantasy, although I was a bit dismayed by her remark on the back cover that it is her most important work.

What I found was her usual good writing, enlisted in the service of an apology of a sort of caricature of Christianity. Ms. Perry seems to be willing to sacrifice a lot of storytelling for this, including what seem to be some rather pointy barbs at what I might call conventional Christianity; so I'm led to think that it does in fact represent her belief. As such I suppose it's an allegory, though but thinly cloaked indeed.

My opinion is that she worked too hard for significance, and should decide whether she wants to write apologies or fiction. I'd *still* like to see her write a fantasy, or maybe half a dozen; but she doesn't yet have enough practice in the form to make it carry more than its own weight. In the mean time I'd shelve this one under apologies for whatever sect shares her belief, and not recommend it to my friends. She's lost a lot of credit with me, even though I stuck with it right up until the last chapter which is -- in entirety -- a statement of the belief structure supported in the rest of the book. I already knew more than I wanted by that point. For reference, for those who care, I am an Orthodox Christian.

I have read and loved all of Anne Perry's books. Her characters are well drawn and fascinating. The story lines are always interesting and intriguing. Ta-thea is none of the above. Although the first few chapters were bearable, it was a battle to get through the rest of this lugubrious tome. The story of the "saint" and her travels was repetitious and flat. The ultimate insult-it was BORING!

I'm a big fan of Perry's Victorian detective novels, and a big fan of sci-fi and fantasy books. When I saw this novel in the sci-fi/fantasy shelf of my local library, I couldn't resist.

I shall try to give as fair a review as someone only half-way through a novel can be.

I have no beef with Mormonism, and I'm not going to attack this book because it's a thinly-veneered exposition of Mormon theology. I'm actually interested in other religious beliefs, and in how their adherents view the world. This is the only reason I'm sticking with the book, to tell the truth. You see, 'Tathea' is boring. I'm sorry, Ms Perry, I truly am, but it is. Some books manage to pull of the trick of creating characters who exist solely to facilitate the flow of philosophising. 'Tathea' isn't one of them. In 'Tathea', the sheer lack of character depth means that I am consciously wading on through this book purely out of curiosity about Mormon ideas, not because I care one whit about Tathea (completely wise, compassionate, and good in every way) or her adventures (passing quickly and easily, with no sense of real drama to pull me in) or her world (a not very imaginative use of ancient civilisations). If only the characters felt more real, more raw, more interesting, I could go with this happily. But they're not, and I have to say I'm disappointed.