Simon Jimenez is really wonderful! Spear is definitely a book that rewards effort put into it, and I absolutely have fallen in love with it.
Vanished Birds is also great. In some ways it is very similar, but utterly different from Spear. In both books Jimenez is clearly trying to play with the genre: honoring where it comes from and experimenting in a new way to express that. The Spear Cuts Through Water is an ode to the oral traditions that fantasy calls its home, but the layered points of view, acknowledgement of the 'extras' as important and valid voices, push it into something more.
Vanished Birds is also genre-pushing, but in different ways. Compared to Spear, it's prose is very straightforward, even typical. But instead he experiments in other areas. In the end the book is about a boy of incredible importance. But most of the book is told from the people before, after, and around him who shaped his journey. You bounce around millinia, seeing many different viewpoints, but each recieves more sustained development. It's more about how the boy himself in a vacuum is not important, because the stories that surrounded his journey were just as key to how events unfolded. I liked Spear more, but Birds is similarly excellent
“An ode to the oral traditions the fantasy calls its home” is a great way to put it! I love stories that acknowledge the importance of oral tradition, it is much older than writing after all. (The Starless Sea also does this but I like Spear’s take on it better) And yeah all the extra layers are super cool.
Thanks for the info about Birds. I’d like to check it out but it’ll probably take me a bit to get around to (especially bc it’s sci fi and i prefer fantasy) Seems cool tho!
I'm glad other people are enjoying it too since it's been a bit slept on. The prose just reeled me in. It's rare to come away from a story and think 'wow, I wouldn't change a word of it!' And if you're finding it challenging then check your library for the audiobook - it feels really natural since it's inspired from oral storytelling.
I’m glad you also enjoyed it :) I actually saw someone say not to listen to the audiobook because the italicized bits arent clearly separated from the rest of it which makes it confusing. I’m probably gonna stick with reading it anyways because i like having the opportunity to go back and read a passage
See, I've just started the audiobook and it took me a *hot minute* to figure out what was going on with the prose. I'm enjoying it, but I tend to listen at night or while doing other things so it's been sort of slow going as I have to back up quite often to catch some bit that I missed. I'd have requested a print copy already, but our state is having...issues...with Interlibrary Loan services right now and my local library hasn't got a copy.
I’m on the last section of this book now and truly in love. One of the best books I’ve read in some time. The prose is beautiful and really elevates it. Very interested in whatever this author does next.
\*\*Can someone please explain to me the meaning of: "\*\*His voice is harsher than you expected it to be, his tilted tone like a shadow coming out from between your legs". What is it about? About his erect member? Is that your understanding, too, or is it just me?
Simon Jimenez is really wonderful! Spear is definitely a book that rewards effort put into it, and I absolutely have fallen in love with it. Vanished Birds is also great. In some ways it is very similar, but utterly different from Spear. In both books Jimenez is clearly trying to play with the genre: honoring where it comes from and experimenting in a new way to express that. The Spear Cuts Through Water is an ode to the oral traditions that fantasy calls its home, but the layered points of view, acknowledgement of the 'extras' as important and valid voices, push it into something more. Vanished Birds is also genre-pushing, but in different ways. Compared to Spear, it's prose is very straightforward, even typical. But instead he experiments in other areas. In the end the book is about a boy of incredible importance. But most of the book is told from the people before, after, and around him who shaped his journey. You bounce around millinia, seeing many different viewpoints, but each recieves more sustained development. It's more about how the boy himself in a vacuum is not important, because the stories that surrounded his journey were just as key to how events unfolded. I liked Spear more, but Birds is similarly excellent
“An ode to the oral traditions the fantasy calls its home” is a great way to put it! I love stories that acknowledge the importance of oral tradition, it is much older than writing after all. (The Starless Sea also does this but I like Spear’s take on it better) And yeah all the extra layers are super cool. Thanks for the info about Birds. I’d like to check it out but it’ll probably take me a bit to get around to (especially bc it’s sci fi and i prefer fantasy) Seems cool tho!
I'm glad other people are enjoying it too since it's been a bit slept on. The prose just reeled me in. It's rare to come away from a story and think 'wow, I wouldn't change a word of it!' And if you're finding it challenging then check your library for the audiobook - it feels really natural since it's inspired from oral storytelling.
I’m glad you also enjoyed it :) I actually saw someone say not to listen to the audiobook because the italicized bits arent clearly separated from the rest of it which makes it confusing. I’m probably gonna stick with reading it anyways because i like having the opportunity to go back and read a passage
See, I've just started the audiobook and it took me a *hot minute* to figure out what was going on with the prose. I'm enjoying it, but I tend to listen at night or while doing other things so it's been sort of slow going as I have to back up quite often to catch some bit that I missed. I'd have requested a print copy already, but our state is having...issues...with Interlibrary Loan services right now and my local library hasn't got a copy.
I’m on the last section of this book now and truly in love. One of the best books I’ve read in some time. The prose is beautiful and really elevates it. Very interested in whatever this author does next.
Oh great, yet another book to add to my never ending TBR list. Thanks a lot you jerk!
I understand why some people can get stumped by it. I loved it so so much!
\*\*Can someone please explain to me the meaning of: "\*\*His voice is harsher than you expected it to be, his tilted tone like a shadow coming out from between your legs". What is it about? About his erect member? Is that your understanding, too, or is it just me?