This is an independently produced podcast novel, and sometimes the amateur talent can drag the story down - but honestly, Ballantine herself, along with co-star Tee Morris, bring a lot of energy, creativity, and effort to this production, and it truly shines from their work.
There's just something about associating Will with the fairy-folk that is just irresistible. The fairy realm is suffering from a Malaise - a disease which is caused by the Unmaker (the opposite of their creator, the Mother of All), where their Art (magic) is weakened and their world begins to die. Auberon, in an attempt to stop the disease and strengthen his family's Art, makes his sister Sive marry her former lover Mordent, who came back too changed after an attempt to destroy the Unmaker in the Between. Meanwhile, in the human world, young Will Shakespeare is guarded by Puck as he discovers his own Bardic Art, and a growing love for Sive when she frequently escapes to the mortal world for refuge. Together they can save the Fey, but will Will allow himself to be used that way? What sacrifices will it take to finally subdue the Unmaker?
Yeah - you'd need to be really into fairy/fi, I think, to appreciate this story. At times all the magical elements can seem a bit much. I'm also a little squeamish about love-scenes if they're not necessary (give me the gently wafting curtain cutaway! I have imagination!), so if you are, too, just skip Chapter 13 altogether. You miss no plot, just some thrusting and lip-biting. You're welcome.
In the three years between listens to this book, it didn't engross me as much as it did the first time around. But I still really appreciate the work put into the FREE audio book, and admire the creative energy that defined the world of the Bard and Fey so clearly. Download it for a long car ride, or to spend a week on the beach with. It's a nice little getaway.
Chasing the Bard (audio - FREE!)
Chasing the Bard (print)
- Paperback: 326 pages
- Publisher: Dragon Moon Press (April 1, 2005)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1896944175
- ISBN-13: 978-1896944173
- Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
This reminds me a bit of Will in the Sandman comics! Have you read them? Shakespeare is an uninspired writer until he meets Morphius (Dream). He makes a deal so that Shakespeare will be a brilliant writer, and in exchange he will write Morphius two plays (Midsummer and Tempest). Later he gets to meet the real fairy court. Amazing story arcs (see here - scroll down a bit): http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/ChroniclesofMoeniaArcis/news/?a=50659)
ReplyDeleteHe's in Dream Country and The Wake. I can lend them to you!
I would love to borrow them!
ReplyDeleteThere are a bunch of books on my shelf that pits Will with the Faeirie-land - not in the least a trilogy about a shapeshifting prince of the Fairies who is also Will's Dark Lady. Wrap your head around THAT one. I'll probably get around to them this summer. Why is the fairy/Shakespeare so fascinating to authors?