Wednesday, May 20, 2009

BLOG TOUR - DAY 3

King Raven - Robin Hood with a Secret Identity



Tuck
by Stephen Lawhead

Stephen Lawhead's Web site - http://www.stephenlawhead.com/


(Click book for Amazon link) or


Amazon Link:


Rhiban Hud, or Bran, became King Raven earlier in the series after a comment by Angharad that Bran was indeed King Raven. He kept up the persona as a way to hid his identity and to strike fear in the hearts of his enemies. King Raven represented a dichotomy of sorts. To those he fought against, and who cheated the poor and weak, King Raven represented a dark spirit who struck swiftly and silently. To the poor and needy, King Raven represented someone who fought for them and brought aid to fill their need.

I liked the King Raven idea. Like superman's secret identity, King Raven was the mysterious persona Bran became when in costume. This is in stark contrast to the old Robin Hood versions where Robin and his Merry Men ran around in bright green tights. The black King Raven headdress blended well into the shadows of the Welsh countryside. Bright green leggings just don't strike me as very good camouflage, even in a tree filled forest. The black costume may have represented unvoiced fears of the opposition. Bran's costume allowed him to appear suddenly, as if from thin air. Bran's haunting call echoing through the forest must have struck fear in his enemies. The description reminded me of a trumpet of judgement from Revelation.

A king must have the wisdom to follow wise judgement. Thanks to the counsel of Tuck and Angharad, Rhibran made wise choices. Thanks to fervent prayer, Tuck and Angharad gave Bran wise advise. Robin follows this advice, and leads the group to many small victories. King Raven also represents the two sides of man's choice. He would follow God's word, but a wish for expediency tempers his action. Bran sees peace only after a great war is fought. Tuck sees the potential for peace through personal contact with the enemy. Even after failing more than once to reach a peaceful agreement, Tuck doesn't give up hope but continues in his attempts.


This encouragement to continue in what is right, though things don't work out, is a theme that runs through the story. Don't give up hope in following the right path, instead persevere for one day all will receive the reward they have earned.

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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

BLOG TOUR - DAY 2

Finding Faith in a Forest




Tuck
by Stephen Lawhead

Stephen Lawhead's Web site - http://www.stephenlawhead.com/


(Click book for Amazon link) or


Amazon Link:



Friar Tuck is a man of simple pleasures serving God, helping others, food, and drink - in that order. Tuck would have peace if at all possible, and tries to provide others with an out to this continual fighting; if they would but take it. Early on, Tuck attempts to craft a peace between Bran and the evil Abbot Hugh. Tuck sees the peace accord as an end to the fighting and loss of lives. The Abbott sees it as an attempt to wrest away control of his lands and goods.

Throughout Tuck, the good friar remains a firm believer in the power of prayer, even in their darkest times. Tuck's compassion extends to their enemies, the Ffreinc. Before going into battle, Tuck exhibits his concern for those who spitefully used him by offering to hear confessions before the battle begins.


When a cunning plan requires Tuck to pose as a high ranking official, he enjoys the food but misses his simple accommodations back home. Tuck enjoys the simple things in life and makes no pretense of show to become the center of attention, or gain man's praise. Even when working alone, Tuck occupies his mind by reciting the Psalms and dwelling upon the Gospels. Before each battle Tuck prayed frevantly for divine guidance and intercession that peace and truth might prevail.

One character of faith, Angharad, led the King Raven and his band in following the path of the Good Lord. Bran met Angharad earlier in the series when she healed both his body and soul. She was called the banfaith, and known as the last true Bard of Britain. Even Tuck deferred to Angharad's wise leadership and counsel as both sought to bring peace to the land once more by restoring Rhiban Hud to his rightful throne.


Tomorrow's Blog, Robin Hood ruled in Sherwood Forrest, but King Raven ruled in Wales. How King Raven expands the legend and deepens the character.


*Participants’ Links:



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Monday, May 18, 2009

BLOG TOUR - DAY 1
Major Twists on an old Tale.


Tuck
by Stephen Lawhead



Stephen Lawhead's Web site - http://www.stephenlawhead.com/

(Click book for Amazon link) or

Amazon Link:

I've never read a Stephen Lawhead book before, though I have Hood and other books in my 'to read' stack. Not finding time to read his books before now is my loss. Tuck, third in the King Raven series, follows the adventures of the good friar during the 11th century as he helps Rhiban Hud both politically and spiritually. Rhiban's lady love is Merian. Marshall Guy de Gysburne works along side the Sheriff de Glanville to serve the whims of Abbot Hugo. Names throughout the book sound almost familiar to the often heard tale of Robin Hood. Tuck even contains a couple of pronunciation pages. To get you in the spirit of the trilogy, on Lawhead's site, you can find actual audio links to hear the way certain words should sound.
http://www.stephenlawhead.com/extras/pronunciation.shtml

The careful eye to detail for the countryside and the period by Lawhead shows through as he weaves his tale around the characters. The tale of Bran and his followers' quest to recapture Caer Cardarn and Elfael sounds plausiable, even considering the odds stacked against them each step of the way. But as Tuck points out, "when God is with you, who may stand against you?"
One of the many things I enjoyed about Tuck, is how the characters play off each other in the story. Not everyone blindly follows Bran, or Rihiban, as he commands the freedom forces.

Unlike some of the Robin Hood movie characters, no battalion of merry men hide out in the deep forest without worry of capture. Rhiban Hud in Tuck is closest to the BBC Robin Hood version, from what the characters sound like online, than most other versions. Bran doesn't always know the right answer, but he is willing to take the steps needed to help his people and family. Bran's decisions aren't always popular, but through it all Tuck supports his friend and leader.


Tomorrow's Day 2 blog review discusses the issue of faith in the forrest.

*Participants’ Links:

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Tuesday, May 05, 2009


More Writing Software


Another good writing program is WordWeb. I am running version 5.51, and it's a great aid when you need a word, or think of a similar word, but it's not quite what you needed. There is a free version available: http://wordweb.info/free/

The free version WordWeb includes definitions, synonyms, related words, and even pronunciations.

After you use the program a while, you may consider moving up to WordWeb Pro for a small fee to gain multiple extra features like more words, editable database, add your own words.

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Monday, May 04, 2009

Some Helpful Writing Tools

I've mentioned some of these in the past, but it doesn't hurt to update the links for new versions and mention how these programs have helped my writing.

Writer's Workbench (WWB), by EMO Solutions, helps double check those pesky grammatical issues you may have missed. WWB doubles as a tutor for writers and those less sure of all the rules. You load the program, which launches Word, and then select the file you need reviewed. Multiple review areas each stress a part of grammar or punctuation. You must select and change any errors found in the original. Potential problem areas pop up in a separate document you can print out, if needed.

At first, changing each revision item manually seemed like a hassle compared to the auto-correct feature I had always used. I found out WWB's method is actually safer than auto-correction. A few times I liked the original wording better, or I wasn't sure what places the program had corrected. Manually changing the suggestions also helps you learn and improve your grammar.
Writer's Workbench installs from your CD to your local drive. This is important to me as our Internet has a way of going out, or slowing way down, at the worse times. If you use a web-based checking program, available internet is a necessity during the times you need to use the program.

The EMO support group are also friendly. If you have a question or an computer issue, give them a call or contact support by e-mail. I've found them ready to help, and never had to wait on hold for 20 minutes to speak to a human. Writer's Workbench costs $100, and shipping runs $15-$25 for the CD which contains the program and additional support files.

Writer's Workbench Home page:
http://www.emo.com/
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