Eureka (whole book spoilers)

[Rice]

Oh, that was wonderful...simply wonderful. I picked the book up last night and read it through in three hours flat. Beautiful. I have more specific praises for it, but it may be too early for that, so I'll wait.

However, there is one question I need to pose:

(spoiler space)
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The Pillars sounds an awful lot like a Jewish legend I vaguely remember being alluded to in another story somewhere else. Apparently there are a certain specific number of secret Jewish Saints in the world at any one time. Holy people (with their own special name that I've forgotten) who keep the world going by their very presence. If these folks aren't Abduls of some sort, I'll eat my hat. Is there a deep archetype being tapped here or was this a deliberate nod at a specific myth? If so, can someone who actually remembers it explain further?

...also? Finally meeting a non-Wizard aware of Wizardry was wonderful. I saw it coming, but not by much. Re-read the passage where he explains the Spade over again several times for the sheer joy of the revelation.

Bah! It's been almost 24 hours and I'm still giddy! ;-)

"Omnia mutantur, nihil interit."

Everything changes, but nothing is truly lost.

[Rice]

Oh, that was wonderful...simply wonderful. I picked the book up last night and read it through in three hours flat. Beautiful. I have more specific praises for it, but it may be too early for that, so I'll wait.

However, there is one question I need to pose:

(spoiler space)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

The Pillars sounds an awful lot like a Jewish legend I vaguely remember being alluded to in another story somewhere else. Apparently there are a certain specific number of secret Jewish Saints in the world at any one time. Holy people (with their own special name that I've forgotten) who keep the world going by their very presence. If these folks aren't Abduls of some sort, I'll eat my hat. Is there a deep archetype being tapped here or was this a deliberate nod at a specific myth? If so, can someone who actually remembers it explain further?

...also? Finally meeting a non-Wizard aware of Wizardry was wonderful. I saw it coming, but not by much. Re-read the passage where he explains the Spade over again several times for the sheer joy of the revelation.

Bah! It's been almost 24 hours and I'm still giddy! ;-)

"Omnia mutantur, nihil interit."

Everything changes, but nothing is truly lost.

[Kaatje]

[Rice]

I think, for me, the coolest part was the fact that the Lone Power had lost from the very _start_. Darryl was a little confused, but winning! The whole book, essentially, was devoted to defining the problem, which had already been solved (that and Kit's descent into Autism<g>).

...I wonder if we'll see the egg-beater again. Interstellar cable is one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen.

And one final note: in 'Real Life', bi-location is an official miracle by which saints can be recognized. I wonder if we'll see more saints in the future.

"Omnia mutantur, nihil interit."

Everything changes, but nothing is truly lost.

[Em]

I looooveeedd it too. Eveything about it was so wonderful. What I love so much about Diane, too, is that she can be talking about really serious/painful things and then suddenly say something so hilarious that you burst out laughing (e.g. the eggbeater). I could go on forever and list everything I loved about this book,(including what everyone had already said, but I'll just list my favorites:

1. What I found so touching and wonderful was the first real conversation Nita had with Darryl, when he was in his true human form. i loved that scene, where you first understood Darryl, understood his fierce purity and goodness. He was such an amazing character, so sweet and innocent, that I just wanted to hug him tight. I hope he comes back in other books...

2. The t.v/dvd player dilemma...brilliant

3. Laser eggbeater...ditto

4. I love how Diane got into the whole thing where Nita and Kit almost totally switched places. Just when Nita was getting to be that loving character we know and lova again, Kit totally fell apart. seeing how they dealed with all of that going on, and still having their friendship stay strong, was wonderful...

5.Dairine...that little thing is starting to grow on me! Look how innocent she is, and how caring. (Everyone at once: awwwwww!!)

Anyway, I could think of a million more, but I'm too tired right now. Maybe I'll go read the book again [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img].

~Em~

"Before you judge someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes." Frieda Norris

AHHHHHH I finished "Alone" yesterday so now I can finally come to this Forum.
My favorite thing about "Alone" had to be the kernal thing Nita did to make the wall closer and to get rid of Darryl's autism (even though Darryl did that himself Nita gave him the idea) I've always liked the idea of the "kernals".
My other favorite thing was that Nita isn't in that heap of dispare anymore, I undersatnd the grieveing proccess takes a while but she was makeing the books sad (I cried a little in this book too).
Another thing I liked was that teacher Mr.Millman, and how knew she was a wizard that is too cool oh and a question Is he a Wizard or not? I think he's not but my mind is a little sketchy (my sister kept interupting my reading toward the end.)

All and All I really liked this book but A Wizard Abroad is still my favorite. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

*Nita*

Ignore the angry face on my last post I just wanted to see what it looked like on a post I am really in a good mood [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

*Nita*

[Rice]

Millman isn't a wizard. After saying some wizard-like things, Nita asks him "Are you on errantry?" and he replies "No, but I know some people who are." So we've got our first non-family non-wizard who's aware of magic (other than that guy in the cat books).

"Omnia mutantur, nihil interit."

Everything changes, but nothing is truly lost.

I thought that was what was going on but wasn't positive.

*Nita*

[Rysade]

[Em]

Wow...I never thought about it this way!! You're right, it probably is on of the Powers that Be...it all makes sense! I wonder if we'll see him again...

~Em~

"Yep, its just one of those Unitarian cult things: you'll get used to it." -The words of the almighty and powerful John Jay a.k.a. Ed.

Millman a power that be, that sure does give me things to think about. From when Nita was talking to him in the begining of the book I was pretty sure he was a wizard then he wasn't one now he's a power that be, well it sure would be interesting if he was one that brings Nita's meeting's with the power's up to what 3 and the lone power right?

*Nita*

[squashlittle]

I can't find the part you are thinking of. The only thing I can find that comes close is when Millman mentions to her that "this was supposed to have been counseling," and then at the end of that last session Nita asks him about it, and he shrugs (pp.315-318). I'm not sure _what_ that part is referring to.

I'm not sure if that section does or does not make such a strong argument for him being more than he is.

You also talked about how he doesn't have his own classroom. Being a teacher myself, I know that there are many "itinerant" teachers who don't have classrooms and who do rove from school to school, because the need at any one particular school is not large enough to keep such a person on staff at the site. The itinerants at my school (occupational therapists, hearing-impairment specialists, and the like) get to meet with their students in a glorified supply closet.

Having said that, though, Millman does seem to be an especially intriguing person, and I am open to the possibility that he might have a larger purpose than school counselor. I am curious to find out who the wizards are that he knows. Tom and Carl, maybe?

Squash

[Elizabeth]

OMG. Just finished the book last night. Stayed up until 2 a.m reading...and I had to be at work at seven am. So, a more cognizant review when I'm more awake.

But for right now, I have to thank Rhysade (sp?) for voicing my suspicions and (unintentionally) giving me a giggle and cheering me up. Rhysade said:

<Uh... I'm not so sure that Mr. Millman is a teacher or a Wizard. Or even a normal person. I think he's either the Winged Defender Michael, or the One.>

And I thought back to my Ehtics of Psychology class...if it were a form of Michael..imagine that question... *snerk*. Handy things, those Powers....

Anyways...I'm leaning towards Millman being an incarnation of the One. I like it.

But if he is a "mere" mortal...I wish my counselor was like him. I'm glad Dairine is being referred- she needs him now, more than Nita does.

Anyways, must finish my laundry. And shut up, but that's besides the point.

Elizabeth

"Yes Ellie...we *know*."- the roommates on *the* book signing being next Wednesday.

[Elizabeth]

Arrrggggh! Didn't come out right! Apolgies! Rhysade said they thought Millman was either Michael the Winged Defender or the One....that was the bit I was trying to quote.

Elizabeth.