Seaward

Rating:
Summary: Mystically Wistful
Review: I read this book when I was about 13 or 14 (I got it from my school library), and then spent the next few years of my life trying to get my hands on a copy of this book here in Singapore,but it looks like there's only one copy of the book available here :) I had to travel all the way to America to get my hands on it... Anyway, the review:

I love this book. Susan Cooper remains, to this day (I'm 19 now) one of my favourite writers for childrens' literature. (Her 'Dark is Rising' sequence ranks right up there with Lloyd Alexander's 'Chronicles of Prydain' for me.)

She renders a mystically wistful textual Picasso of Cally and West, two kindred souls on a journey to somewhere out of time, lovers in mind, not body. The diametric, yet symbiotic relationship of good and evil is also painted in vivid colour on her canvas. The book evokes feelings of unasked and unanswered yearnings deep within you, and it makes you wonder, where's the West or Cally of my life?

I still cry for the faithful Peth.

Rating:
Summary: Good story? Not really.
Review: In strictest terms, as a story, this book fails miserably. It's more a "slice of life" tale than a book with an actual plot and developed characters. Don't misunderstand me, it's not slow or confusing -- but this book is utterly lacking in closure or an "appropriate" ending. In short, it breaks all the rules of good novel-writing.

But in spite of that, this book is absolutely magnificient. It is a philosophical treatise lightly hidden by a Celticish story. It amazes me that so many people totally miss the philosophical side of this book, or think it is a book merely about life and death and grieving, or growing up and establishing oneself. All these elements are certainly present, but the grande finale, the climax of the book is when West and Cally are told the reason for their adventure: The philosophical statement here is that the reason for the existance of evil is that without evil, man would not be able to see good -- you cannot realise the existance of light if you've never seen the dark. This is the culmination of this book. The consequence is moral, political, religious, and philosophical.

It's a good read. Good because if you consider it, and apply it, this book could change your whole world-view.

And that is what makes a classic.

Rating:
Summary: Good story? Not really.
Review: In strictest terms, as a story, this book fails miserably. It's more a "slice of life" tale than a book with an actual plot and developed characters. Don't misunderstand me, it's not slow or confusing -- but this book is utterly lacking in closure or an "appropriate" ending. In short, it breaks all the rules of good novel-writing.

But in spite of that, this book is absolutely magnificient. It is a philosophical treatise lightly hidden by a Celticish story. It amazes me that so many people totally miss the philosophical side of this book, or think it is a book merely about life and death and grieving, or growing up and establishing oneself. All these elements are certainly present, but the grande finale, the climax of the book is when West and Cally are told the reason for their adventure: The philosophical statement here is that the reason for the existance of evil is that without evil, man would not be able to see good -- you cannot realise the existance of light if you've never seen the dark. This is the culmination of this book. The consequence is moral, political, religious, and philosophical.

It's a good read. Good because if you consider it, and apply it, this book could change your whole world-view.

And that is what makes a classic.

Rating:
Summary: Haunting tale
Review: Susan Cooper is best known for her epic "Dark is Rising Sequence," but "Seaward" is not as well-known, while also drawing on the same Celtic legends. It's a little darker, a little differently-written, but a great read for people with enough patience.

Westerly's mother was killed by gunmen, and he escaped through a door into a strange land, with three magical bones. Calliope, a girl with strange thick skin on her hands, watches her parents waste away with a strange illness and leave her alone,and she slips through a mirror to the same land. When Cally encounters West, he is trying to escape from the ruthless, cold-hearted Lady Taranis.

A kindly stranger named Lugan seems to be their best hope for escaping Taranis. As the two travellers cross the world that is an echo of our own, they encounter strange creatures such as the sealpeople (selkies), a talking insect that guides them over a desert, creatures made of stone, and the haunting specters of their own pasts and destinies...

"Seaward" seems like a pretty simple story at first, but in that simple storyline Cooper tackles questions about death and life, about grief, about good and evil. Westerly's guilt over his mother's death and Cally's opportunity to be with the selkies are beautifully drawn. Her writing is dreamy, lush, but thankfully never becomes overwrought.

Cally and West are very alike, very confused and lacking in understanding, but drawn "seaward" and both dealing with grief. Taranis comes across as very childlike and petulant, while Lugan is paternal and kindly. There aren't many supporting characters, but the Stonecutter is pretty unnerving, and Peth is endearing and sad.

Probably the biggest stumbling block in "Seaward" is the slightly dreamy tone of it all. Unlike the "Dark is Rising" books, there is no grounded "homey" base -- it's all like a legend right from the beginning. As a result, it takes awhile for the story to really get going, and there are long stretches where the characters are just walking. There's no cursing or violence, although there is one scene where Cally and West experience some pretty strong physical attraction (though nothing happens). Their romance is a little abrupt as well, although hardly unexpected; in fact, it's pretty sweet.

"Seaward" is a fantastic story, with likeable characters and a deceptively simple storyline. Fans of Cooper and Celtic legends will eat this right up.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastical Love Story
Review: Susan Cooper shines in this story of two young people who havewitnessed their parents' demises and cannot force themselves to dealwith the tragedy. As they conquer their sorrow together in a quest to reach the sea, their differences, personalities and trust in each other turn into a deep love that cannot be broken. It's only the magical world that can tear them apart and their own lack of belief that they can fulfill their destiny. A wonderful, morose story full of soulful, lyrical story-telling. It shines in an age of shallow, straight-forward plots most books today feature.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Story!
Review: The two children in this story both have very tragic events happening in their lives,too tragic for them to handle at the time.So they are mysteriously taken out of their own worlds,and into another where they meet.There they must overcome their fears and understand why some things are the way they are.This is also a story about crossing the line from childhood into adulthood,and the responsability that comes with that.I enjoyed this book a great deal,and even now when I read it again,it has a new lesson or meaning for me.This is a great book for thirteen year olds, all the way to ninety-two!

Rating:
Summary: Lovely
Review: This book is one of the most beautiful love stories ever crafted. I think Susan Cooper is a genius of description and this story about two young people dealing with loss shows her skill admirably. West and Cally experience deep, true love being born in them out of trust and shared experience. This book has all the fantasy and detailed dreamlike settings you come to expect from Susan Cooper, and the only problem with this book is that the peripheral characters, even the main antagonists, are pale in comparison with Cally and West. S.C. has created such strong, rich, personalities for the two of them that the others can't match up. This fact, however, does not really detract from the book, because this really is a story of what happens inside West's and Cally's minds and hearts after their great losses. The other characters are there to personify traits and abstracts; good, evil, loyalty, etc. If you are looking for a smart, deep fantasy story with a dash of powerful romance thrown in (the description of West watching Cally wash her hair is one of the most heartstopping bits I've ever read), read Seaward. You won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Lovely
Review: This book is one of the most beautiful love stories ever crafted. I think Susan Cooper is a genius of description and this story about two young people dealing with loss shows her skill admirably. West and Cally experience deep, true love being born in them out of trust and shared experience. This book has all the fantasy and detailed dreamlike settings you come to expect from Susan Cooper, and the only problem with this book is that the peripheral characters, even the main antagonists, are pale in comparison with Cally and West. S.C. has created such strong, rich, personalities for the two of them that the others can't match up. This fact, however, does not really detract from the book, because this really is a story of what happens inside West's and Cally's minds and hearts after their great losses. The other characters are there to personify traits and abstracts; good, evil, loyalty, etc. If you are looking for a smart, deep fantasy story with a dash of powerful romance thrown in (the description of West watching Cally wash her hair is one of the most heartstopping bits I've ever read), read Seaward. You won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: mmmmmmmmmm....... good book!
Review: This fantasy-which-turns-into-romance story is one of myfavorites. I loved the setting, and especially the wonderfulcharacters, and how they all displayed their emotions in such a real way. The end was also especially delicious too! Seaward is one of the very best works of Mrs. Cooper, who is my favorite author. Happy reading!: )

Rating:
Summary: mmmmmmmmmm....... good book!
Review: This fantasy-which-turns-into-romance story is one of myfavorites. I loved the setting, and especially the wonderfulcharacters, and how they all displayed their emotions in such a real way. The end was also especially delicious too! Seaward is one of the very best works of Mrs. Cooper, who is my favorite author. Happy reading!: )