SKYWARD INN

Skyward Inn by Aliya Whiteley.

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Skyward Inn takes place after two planets—Earth and Qita—encounter one another through a “star gate,” The Kissing Gate. The Skyward Inn of the story exists within the Western Protectorate, which is located in what was once Britain, but the Protectorate has cut itself off from the rest of world. They are Luddites longing for a return to an earlier, simpler life before meeting the Qitans.

Jem and her Qitan partner Isley run the Inn, providing Qitan Jarrowbrew to those who gather. Jarrowbrew is an intoxicating drink that seems to affect space-time and bring forth stories from those who imbibe. A parallel story follows Jem’s son Fosse and his wanderings through the Protectorate countryside.

Skyward Inn delves into some of the same issues that Whiteley tackled in her earlier novel The Beauty—longing for a past that perhaps never really existed in the way that everyone remembers, the encounter with the Other, navigating the difference between cultures, and the importance of language and story. And, then, as expected the elements of contagion, contamination, and body horror arrive.

Whiteley doesn’t leave it there, however. She throws in a couple of plot twists that I did not see coming.

This is compelling, intriguing, thought-provoking writing that reflects many of the problems of our own age. Highly recommended weird fiction!

BULBS

Getting bulbs into buckets and flower beds today. Liatris. Canna. Gladiolus. Calla.

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But, the first step was getting color-coded bamboo-skewer "locate flags" constructed so I know where bulbs are and what they are until they grow and bloom.

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Also spray paint and metal stencils...

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...so that buckets can be easily identified even if and when they are moved about the yard and garden.

A HISTORY of WHAT COMES NEXT

A History of What Comes Next by Sylvain Neuvel. Take Them to the Stars, book one.

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This is a sci-fi thriller based around Germany's WWII rocket program and the subsequent Cold War/Space Race of the US and the Soviets. The narrative is fueled by generations of mother-daughter teams who may be an alien race, and are being pursued across distance and time by the Tracker.

Most of the story follows the Ninety-Eight, the duo consisting of Sarah Freed (mother) and Mia Freed (daughter). They both are prodigies at mathematics and physics and spend much of their time getting their own research and writings into the hands of others, in order that the work fuels getting humanity into outer space.

Much like Neuvel's The Themis Files trilogy, this novel balances the technological and science that underpins the plot with the relationships and stories of the protagonists. And, while most of the narrative is about Sarah and Mia, occasionally we encounter a chapter that follows earlier generations of women, such as the Eighty-Seven in 1608 AD and the Seven and the Eight in 890 BC.

It's a quick and compelling read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

DRAGON'S MILK

Dragon's Milk Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout, an Imperial Stout by New Holland Brewing Co.

22 ounce bottle served in a shaker glass.

11% abv.

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The pour is a black bodied ale with a finger's width of tan head.

The nose and tongue are chocolate, vanilla, oak, and bourbon. The bourbon and oak was more muted than many of this style, which made it shine that much brighter. At least for me.

The mouthfeel is thick. The finish is medium. The high alcohol content is a bit sneaky since this drinks so smoothly; then the "buzz" arrives.

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This is an excellent imperial stout that was paired with bacon-wrapped tenderloin medallions and asparagus spears.

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Thank you to a friend for this bottle. It was a Christmas gift that spent some time in the beer cellar. (But not too long!)

KLARA and the SUN

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro.

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If one can be haunted by a novel one has read, then consider me haunted.

The story keeps revisiting me here and there each day, even though I finished it a couple of weeks ago. I cannot seem to shake it.

The plot revolves around Klara, who is an Artificial Friend. She ends up going home as the companion of a teen girl, Josie, who is quite sick after being "lifted" through some form of genetic engineering. Klara is a devoted friend, and, even though not human, perhaps the most compelling and human character in the novel.

Klara is many things that others in the book are not. She is loyal and loving, curious and caring, subservient and surrendering. She is also, in her own way, quite faithful, with an active imagination and "prayer life" like anyone else around her.

The book raises questions about humanity, objectification, intelligence, hospitality, inclusion, dedication, and tenderness.

Is it science fiction? Yes. Is it literary fiction? Yes. Is it a coming-of-age novel? Yes. And yet it transcends each of these genres. It really is in a category all its own. Highly recommended.

LENTEN MEDITATION

Lenten image for 4/2/2021, Good Friday.

Image: Crucifix, copper alloy and gilding, circa 1125-1150, made in Westphalia or Lower Saxony.

Song: "It Is Accomplished" by Peter Gabriel, from the original motion picture soundtrack Passion: Music for The Last Temptation of Christ (1989). Listen HERE.

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In the words of Jesus from the Cross:
"It is finished."

LENTEN MEDITATION

Lenten meditation for 4/1/2021, Maundy Thursday.

Image: "The Ointment of the Magdalene," oil on canvas, circa 1900, by James Tissot.

Song: "I Don't Know How to Love Him"from the film Jesus Christ Superstar (1973). Listen HERE.