Wish You Were Here

Rating:
Summary: A practical overview on wish-granting...
Review: This amazingly well-constructed tale brings into focus several modern archetypes (as well as some absurd intruders from various other realms best left unmentioned) and follows them as they clash sharply with a leftover element from the realms of fantasy. This book is amazing-- even for the masterweaver Tom Holt, who regularly entwines elements of the ancient sagas with the problems of being able to find your car keys.

In Lake Chicopee, Iowa, remains one of the last wonders of the world-- anyone who falls into its waters gets his dearest wish granted. This would be wonderful for people who found it... if anyone falling into the water actually understood it was magic. Unfortunately, the only notice given is from a frustrating rustic old man who simply insists the place is "haunted".

On a busy day (when this story takes place) four different people have fallen into the waters of the lake-- overtaxing the multi-formed entity responsible for granting the wishes. On this particular busy day, not only have four people fallen into the lake, but an "inspector" has shown up to check the accounts and see how the wish-granting has been getting on for the last few centuries. And as if that wasn't bad enough, one of the people who has fallen in knows all about the lake and has a secret wish to fulfill!

In the true fashion of a Grimm tale or any good morality play, Holt insures that people get what they wish for but in such a way as to insure they will never ever wish such a thing again consciously and have no choice but to become very happy about their former lives. This element is key in providing the character development which drives the tale and makes it so real and poignant.

This book is a treat for Holt's fans and if you have never heard of Tom Holt at all then this is the perfect introduction to him. I warn you not to read it in public because people will stare at you as you laugh helplessly and loudly. From the first page to the last line, Holt uses every arrow in his comedic quiver and one surreal scene paves the way for the next sublimely ridiculous event.

Don't forget to pay attention to the invisible indian!

Rating:
Summary: rather fun
Review: Wish You Were Here has a clever premise, which I won't belabor as the other review has it covered. I found myself returning to each section eagerly to see what would happen next. It is somewhat different in style than Holt's earlier books- not quite as smart-assy- if one will forgive the expression, and the humour is well integrated with the plot and characters. The end of the book was, perhaps, not all that the development part of the book promised, but overall the book was so enjoyable that it was forgiveable.

Rating:
Summary: rather fun
Review: Wish You Were Here has a clever premise, which I won't belabor as the other review has it covered. I found myself returning to each section eagerly to see what would happen next. It is somewhat different in style than Holt's earlier books- not quite as smart-assy- if one will forgive the expression, and the humour is well integrated with the plot and characters. The end of the book was, perhaps, not all that the development part of the book promised, but overall the book was so enjoyable that it was forgiveable.