Rating: 
Summary: High Praise for the High House!
Review: I didn't realize how much I was looking for a satisfying Fantasy novel until I read "The High House"... Like Tolkien before him, Mr. Stoddard has mastered the "illusion of depth" to a high degree. The rich surroundings and character names bespeak of eons past in the House and make you want to wander its halls indefinately. From the dragon in the attic to the worlds just down the hall you will follow our hero as he tries to reclaim the Master Keys...and his legacy. Burroughs, Tolkien, King, Blaylock; they all reside here. Just open a door. Enjoy!!
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderous Book!
Review: I don't normally "go on" about a book unless I feel the praise is highly deserved. The High House is one of those rare book that I did not want to end (I know it's a cliche, but the truth). This book was like curling up in front of a roaring fireplace with a good strong mug of tea and, if so inclined, a good pipe. The language was rich and the story unique,yet so familiar. This book was truly written in a "classic" style. And finally a storyline without explicit language, sex, or violence. How refreshing! I have already loaned my copy to a friend's 15 year old son who loves Tolkien. Mr. Stoddard, if you happen to read this, I want to personally say thank you and please write more soon! You have a wonderful style that, IMHO, has been sorely missing from most recent fantasy writing. If you have the time, please E-Mail me (folkkids@advnet.net), as I would love to hear about some background on The High House, your influences, and how you started writing. Thanks once again.
Rating:
Summary: An Unexpected Pleasure...
Review: I first became aware of "The High House" though Explorations, a sci-fi/fantasy publication of [local store]. I had never really read any fantasy novels before, except "The Chronicles of Narnia" (not even Tolkien, though I have since remidied that oversight), but the description intrigued me, so I bought it. And I devoured it. I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to the fantasy genre, though this was only Stoddard's first novel. In these "Chronicles of Evenmere", Stoddard has created a world that is at once new and nostalgic, creating in the reader a sense of wonder and expectation, while evoking pleasant memories of "dear friends" like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. One might even consider "The High House" (and it's sequel, "The False House") to be a tribute to those "lore masters" of old. Though not because of any similarity of plot or character, but because of its originality -- a departure from the worlds that are too Tolkien-esque for comfort which seem to fill the fantasy genre. No, Stoddard pays tribute to the masters by maintaining their legacy of quality literature, and evoking the same emotions within the reader, without mimicking their creations.
Rating:
Summary: A worthy successor to Narnia!
Review: I have not been so taken by a book since I first read C.S. Lewis's "Narnia" books (a comparison that Mr. Stoddard makes mention of in his introduction). I was amazed by his invention and storytelling abilities, especially since this is his first novel. My wife and I spent several evenings reading chapters of this tale to one another, never wanting to put the book down until it was much too late in evening and our eyes simply wouldn't stay open. If you enjoy a fantastic tale with a spiritual twist this is the book for you. From the fantastic house itself to the many worlds that it contains you will be spellbound by this story. If your tastes allow for the occasional oddity of man-eating furniture or faceless villain then you are in for a treat. I look forward anxiously to James Stoddard's next novel.
Rating:
Summary: Great Debut!
Review: I haven't enjoyed a book this much for quite awhile. It exhibits an excellent combination of adventure and allegory. Very highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: "The High House" was offensive and poorly written.
Review: I received my copy of "The High House" as a gift, which I consider a personal offence. Being an anarchist (a much- misunderstood political philosophy that involves organization without hierarchy- not chaos or bombs), I found the author's trashing of the anarchist point of view (which, might I add, he obviously did not research beforehand) appalling. Stoddard's "anarchists" bore no resemblance to anarchists in real life. If he was going to make his antagonists anarchists, he could have at least researched anarchism before he blindly trashed us, spreading yet more misconceptions about what anarchists believe. I must admit that the premise of the book was interesting; however, I found the book itself to be offensive and poorly written, with irritating characters and *really* bad dialog.
Rating: 
Summary: A rare type of fantasy
Review: I resisted reading this novel for almost a year - I assumed that any story purportedly paying homage to Dunsany, Morris & Lewis would, in a word, stink. Overblown language, cardboard characters - the works. Was I surprised to discover what a fine story awaited me, of a type I thought long gone. All the previous reviews can be relied upon - including the young anarchist's. After all, any story hated by a serious-minded, unimaginative political idealogue is bound to be entertaining. Don't miss this one.
Rating:
Summary: An Anti-Allegory
Review: I started reading this with some misgivings. My tastes in fantasy tend to run to extended heroic quests full of violent confrontations in a wild quest for something incredibly magical. All in the cause of defeating horrible evils. I don't mind if they have some higher meaning, I just don't want to know about it. Since The high House is about a prodigal son returning to his father's house, where countless doors open onto little communities straight out of Gulliver's travels I was sure I was doomed. What saves the day is that, while the book is unabashedly allegorical, it refuses to take itself too seriously. So at the end of what turns out to be a charming story you know you've been given a very important lessen, but you're not quite sure what it was. The prodigal of the story is Carter Anderson, returned home after a long exile to find that his father has disappeared on a quest for the magical keys that Carter has lost as a child. Evil, in the person of a faceless British Bobby and his hoard of anarchists, have the keys, and it beginning to work its way to bringing down the magic of the house and the power of its residents. First accompanied by his father's old friends, and then by a half brother - Duskin - whose mother would dearly like to see Carter dead, they seek news of Carter's father, the regalia due the house's master, and finally the keys themselves. So, after all is said and done, the book turned out to be exactly the kind of story I like, just cast very differently. There may be no elves in Evenmere, but there are magics and terrors great and small. As I've mentioned, the story has an element of charm that the hardcore fantasy fan my find off-putting. But in a world where too often fantasy dwells on the grim and tragic, I found the story refreshing. The sequel to The High House (called The False House) is, unfortunately, out of print. I am going to have to track it down. If it is as good as James Stoddard's first it will be a welcome addition to my library.
Rating:
Summary: An Anti-Allegory
Review: I started reading this with some misgivings. My tastes in fantasy tend to run to extended heroic quests full of violent confrontations in a wild quest for something incredibly magical. All in the cause of defeating horrible evils. I don't mind if they have some higher meaning, I just don't want to know about it. Since The high House is about a prodigal son returning to his father's house, where countless doors open onto little communities straight out of Gulliver's travels I was sure I was doomed. What saves the day is that, while the book is unabashedly allegorical, it refuses to take itself too seriously. So at the end of what turns out to be a charming story you know you've been given a very important lessen, but you're not quite sure what it was. The prodigal of the story is Carter Anderson, returned home after a long exile to find that his father has disappeared on a quest for the magical keys that Carter has lost as a child. Evil, in the person of a faceless British Bobby and his hoard of anarchists, have the keys, and it beginning to work its way to bringing down the magic of the house and the power of its residents. First accompanied by his father's old friends, and then by a half brother - Duskin - whose mother would dearly like to see Carter dead, they seek news of Carter's father, the regalia due the house's master, and finally the keys themselves. So, after all is said and done, the book turned out to be exactly the kind of story I like, just cast very differently. There may be no elves in Evenmere, but there are magics and terrors great and small. As I've mentioned, the story has an element of charm that the hardcore fantasy fan my find off-putting. But in a world where too often fantasy dwells on the grim and tragic, I found the story refreshing. The sequel to The High House (called The False House) is, unfortunately, out of print. I am going to have to track it down. If it is as good as James Stoddard's first it will be a welcome addition to my library.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: I'm not an avid fantasy fan, but I had a chance to meet Mr. Stoddard and get an autographed copy so I read the book. Wow! I was very impressed! HIGH HOUSE is written with an older style, emphasizing the characters and the description more than the action--although there is still plenty of action! The bad guy, the Bobby, was an excellent character--even though, yes, he was <gasp!> an anarchist! (Look it up, guys, and you'll find that Webster defines the term just like James Stoddard uses it with his characters--lawlessness and disorder.) I highly recommend this book, and I'm really looking forward to the sequel.
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