Review: The Foundlings, Peleg Chronicles, Book 1 by Matthew Christian Harding

The Foundlings, Peleg Chronicles, by Matthew Christian Harding

Genre: Pre-historical Fiction, Action/Adventure

My rating: 7 out of 10 stars

     I first ran across The Peleg Chronicles in the Vision Forum catalog, shortly before VF closed down. At the time I was extremely interested and coveted all three books. The descriptions were intriguing and I felt that they would satisfy my taste for rather fantastic fiction while still in a possible and realistic setting - i.e. they included elements like dragons, giants, dwarfs, and priests (who seemed an awful lot like magicians.) You may be wondering how dragons, giants, and dwarfs could possibly be combined in a realistic setting, but the answer is really quite simple: the time frame of the story is during the days of Peleg, who lived approximately 101 years after the flood. There are strong indications from the Bible, ancient traditions, archaeology, and paleontology that there were still dinosaurs and giants on the earth. Dwarfs? Well, I haven't researched that point, yet.

     I have read only the first book: The Foundlings, and the free Kindle sample of the second book, but I decided not to purchase the second and third books, though possibly I may do so in the future.

Summary:

    Lord McDougal and his faithful servant, Fergus, travel across ancient Scotland toward the fabulous city and fortress of Hradcanny. Along the way they fall in with various adventures (which include dragons/ dinosaurs and giants.) Thiery, a young boy with a natural talent for woodsmanship and working with animals, finds his life suddenly turned upside down when he is targeted by the evil Dragon Priests, and he is thrown upon his own resources - and the gracious protection of Noah's God. Suzie, whose childlike faith and overflowing love and joy in the worst of circumstances make her a light to everyone around her, is separated from her adopted older brother, Thiery, only to find new friends raised up for her just when she needs them most.

     A troubled count, a ruthless and wily priest, and a stubborn and confused, but grateful, pagan soldier play varied and important parts in the story. The Dragon Priests are determined to serve their false gods and stamp out the religion of Noah's God wherever they can, but help comes to Thiery and his friends in the most unexpected places and at the most necessary times.

"Little Things" - From The White Gypsy, by Annette Lyster

* This "devotional" is something I wrote during the Lamplighter Summer Reading Challenge last year. I have a lot of character sketches and other devotionals like this, some of which I will be posting. I hope it is an encouragement to someone - and go read the book!*

“Little Things”

From The White Gypsy, by Annette Lyster

    “Oh, it’s just a little thing!” Just a little pain, a little unkindness, a little selfishness, a little laziness - who cares about the little things? Gilbert Phayre, the only son left to his mother after a catastrophic train accident, did not care much about little things. He loved his mother and she idolized him; he was always ready to show her affection whenever any “big” problem arose - so why give up his own pleasure when she had some little request?

    The trouble is that “little” things lead to great things. Gilbert had no idea how he pained his poor mother on an almost daily basis by constantly following his own preferences rather than hers. Of course, she was happy to yield to him, but how much happier would she have been if he had showed the loving deference of a son, and yielded to her? He helped keep her in a state of mournful, nervous misery, largely because she could not trust him in the “little things.” He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much - and the reverse is quite as true: He that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. (Luke 16:10)

    We all have great power for good when we pay attention to little things. As Keith said when parting from George and Willie at school: “Catch your foxes while they’re little… and kill them before they eat your grapes.” (Song of Solomon 2:15). It is the “little” things of life that make up the “big” things in the long run, and God pays attention to both, therefore we should too.

Available:

Free on Google Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=4BgCAAAAQAAJ&hl=en

Hard copy from Lamplighter:

https://store.lamplighter.net/white-gypsy-the-p382.aspx

The Top Eight Influential Books in My Life

     Have you ever considered which books have had the greatest impact on your life? Besides the Bible, which obviously is the most important Book, I have read hundreds, maybe thousands, of books and they all have more or less helped shape my thinking, but in considering which ones really impacted my thinking, only a handful stand out distinctly. Some are thoroughly Christian, such as The Pilgrim's Progress, and some are classics, like Ben Hur. A few are comparatively unknown, or like The Heir of Redclyffe, were once bestsellers, but now receive only a passing mention in some encyclopedia and are almost entirely out of print. Please note that I do not recommend all these books for all readers; this is simply a list of the books that rise above the crowd when I mentally review the literature I have read. They are not listed in order of importance, because I could not decide on which were the most important. Read them, and see for yourself.

Fantasy Series: Fantasy is Addictive

Frankly, I did not mean to write this entire blog post in the style I did, but as it turned out, I felt led just to publish almost the whole thing in story format instead of as an article.  Maybe it will at least be easier to read...

*************

     "Susie, have you completed that assignment on the French Revolution?"
     Susie hastily slid The Return of the King into her desk, picked up her pencil, and was bent over the history book which lay before her, resting her left forefinger beside the paragraph which she was reading, when Mom opened the bedroom door. Mom was pleased to see her being so diligent, but repeated her question as Susie looked up from her book, apparently surprised by her mother's appearance.
     "No ma'am," she answered, pushing away the guilty feeling which told her she should have been working on her research paper instead of reading Tolkien's classic. But that book was just impossible to put down...

Fantasy, Pt. 2: Why is Fantasy so Popular - and So Dangerous?

     Fantasy/ Science fiction is the most popular genre in America, and has been the best selling category of literature for some time.  Why is this?  Why do fantasy fans love it so much?  Why does this genre have such power to grip people?  And does this power make these books (and movies) good to read?

     These are the questions I have asked myself over and over, but the answer is not difficult.  The secret of the power of fantasy does not lie in the fantastic creatures, wild quests, melting scenes, or bloody conflicts of the stories, but in their limitless capacity.  Put simply, the answer to the above questions is twofold:

Book Review: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, by Kate Douglas Wiggin

Just in case you can't tell, I'm trying to catch up on posting about various books I have read or listened to recently. If you want to learn about family life, I think you will have to check our family blog.

Maybe sometime I will find time to post some pictures of us...

:)

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

By Kate Douglas Wiggin

Rating:  6 out of 10 stars

    Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is a humorous story about a young, imaginative, poetic girl whose lively personality is suddenly superimposed upon her elderly aunts’ strict, sober minded, and extremely practical and thrifty lifestyle.  Similar to Anne of Green Gables in that it is a story about a child with very little in common with her guardians, and focuses more on daily life and small struggles than on any great climax, this book follows Rebecca as she grows, matures, and finally graduates college and inherits her aunts’ home.

Book Review: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain

Rating:  3 out of 10 stars

    The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (and it’s even more popular sequel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) would certainly be high on a list of the most famous and popular American novels.  These books “capture the spirit of American boyhood in the pre-Civil war era” and are a “nostalgic and humorous look at the naivete and simple eagerness of childhood”.  They are filled with dry humor, and combine the unlikely and adventurous with an unusually keen portrayal of real character and everyday life.  The pranks and attitudes of the boys (and girls) in the story are described in vivid and lifelike language, and the idiosyncrasies of Aunt Polly and the other adult characters provide an excellent foil for the children.  Tom’s creativity and imagination are hilarious; especially his idea of what a pirate’s or robber’s life is like.

    But are these books good reading material for Christians?  

Why Christians and Home-schoolers Should Not Read Fantasy- Pt. 1 (Summary)

What we read is very important, especially for children in their formative years. As Christians, we should be seeking the Lord and following Scriptural principles in our choice of literature. It has been on my heart for some time to write this article, but I kept putting it off until two weeks ago, when I listened to a Christian home-school podcast which was discussing fantasy, and speaking of its importance in a child's learning. I believe that the reading (and watching) of fantasy has had a very negative impact on our society, and that it is not a fitting genre for any Christian to read. I know this statement may seem a bit shocking, since fantasy has been widely accepted in Christian circles for quite a few years now. Because of this, I realize that many sincere Christians read and watch fantasy books and movies without ever realizing how damaging they can be. But for those of us who want to follow the Lord wherever He leads, we should be willing to sacrifice anything that hinders our relationship with Him, or is contrary to His Word, the Bible. Please take a few minutes now to read and consider these points about the fantasy genre, which you may never have considered before.

*****************

The Daisy Chain, and The Trial, by Charlotte Mary Yonge

The Daisy Chain, and The Trial

By Charlotte M. Yonge

    Set in 19th century England, The Daisy Chain is the story of a country doctor’s large family.  The characters in this story are many and varied:  from the quiet and gentle Richard, to impulsive and awkward Ethel; self-possessed Flora and emotional and brilliant Norman.  There are eleven children, and each has his or her own character.  The Doctor himself is much like Ethel; impulsive, warm hearted, intelligent, and kind.  He is far from perfect, however, and sometimes his hasty words and actions startle his children, or cause misunderstandings in the town.

Book Review: Mignonette, by Agnes Giberne

Mignonette, by Agnes Giberne

Rating:  8 out of 10 stars.

     Ina Mignon, more familiarly known as Mignonette, has grown up in a Brussels boarding school under the care of a kind headmistress, since her father died suddenly without leaving directions regarding her.  In England, her uncle and his family are entirely unaware of her existence, until an accidental mention leads to her discovery.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Allegory or Trojan Horse?

First, let me say that I did not write this blog post to cause trouble, or be controversial.  I write it in sincere love to my brothers and sisters in Christ who may not recognize this series of books for what it really is.  I know this is a rather lengthy article, but please read it anyway, especially if you are a fan of The Chronicles of Narnia, or know people who are.

My prayer is that the Lord will speak through this article, and that only what is true will be presented.

(Not for human consumption)... I mean, not for Christian Reading: Charlotte's Web, by E. B. White

Charlotte's Web, by E. B. White

Rating:  3 out of 10 stars

Charlotte's Web is a well-known children's classic.  It is the story of a pig, Wilbur, the runt of a litter who is originally going to be killed by the farmer simply because of his small size.  The farmer's daughter, Fern, begs her father to give her the piglet, and tenderly cares for him until he is too old to stay on the farm, when, despite Fern's entreaties, he is sold to a nearby relative.

Of course, Wilbur's new owner has sausage, ham and bacon in mind when he purchases the piglet.  When Wilbur discovers this in conversation with the other animals he is inconsolable for some time.  Finally, a friendly spider named Charlotte comes up with a plan to convince the farmer that he is too splendid a pig to butcher, and must go to the fair instead.  Of course, the wise spider knows that ribbon winning pigs are kept as prized breeders, instead of being sent to the smokehouse.

Eventually, through messages which she cleverly weaves in her web, she creates enough interest in Wilbur to send him to the fair, where he receives an unusually high award, and is secured from the fear of being butchered.

The story ends with the death of Charlotte, and hatching of her 100,000 eggs, when one of her daughters becomes Wilbur's new friend.

Issues with this book:

Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe~ A Christian Adventure Tale

Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe

Rating:  8 out of 10 stars

     Published on April 25th, 1719, Robinson Crusoe is one of the most popular and famous adventure stories of all time.  What young boy doesn't like to camp out?  And how much better it would be to live on a desert island for a while!  Most people are pretty well acquainted with the general story:  Robinson runs away from home to go to sea, sails on several voyages, is taken prisoner and enslaved by the Moors for a couple of years, escapes to  Brazil, farms for a while, then goes on another voyage that ends in his being wrecked on a desert island off the coast of South America.  But what is not always known is that this story is distinctly Christian.

The Armourer's 'Prentices, by Charlotte M. Yonge

The Armourer's 'Prentices 

Rating:  9 out of 10 Stars

     I came across this book on Librivox, when I became proof-listener for the recording.  I really enjoyed reading it, and C. M. Yonge has now become one of my favorite authors.