I found 'The Dancer' by entering the word 'Cathar' in the Amazon search engine, and discovered a book as enigmatic as the 'pure ones' themselves. Although the Cathars are present and essential to the action, the
main focus of the story is on the fair haired young girl, the Dancer and her followers. Marguerite Aldridge describes scenes of amazing beauty and mystery, secret visionary rites carried out in high and hidden places in the Languedoc. During these ceremonies the sinister Corbeau (crow in French) wears a black bird mask, a man standing on a horse creates a cross of fire and a white tree hung with white threads shimmers on the edge of precipices or is seen apparently hanging in the air. The Dancer in her white clothes has obvious connections with Sufism, the whirling of the Mevlevi dervishes that brings spiritual enlightenment, or in her case, the ability to prophesy. These scenes invaded my imagination and keep returning as dreams. Alongside these fantastical rituals, the Catholic church is conducting a ferocious crusade against the Cathars. Through the character of the well named Brother Francis, Marguerite Aldridge exposes the cruelty of his fellow supposed Christians who believed that heretics should be tortured and killed. For their own good. No sign of loving your neighbour amongst these warlike priests and monks. The siege of Beziers is described in compelling detail. Also dancing through these pages is a young boy, Jared. No more can be said without plot spoiling, but watch this child, he is at the centre of the storm. Nothing is quite certain in this book. Who is doing what to whom and why? A fascinating read, recommended to all grail seekers. http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dancer-Marguerite-Aldridge-ebook/dp/B00626CA9A Dying Phoenix comes from this author’s soul. It reaches a different level of intensity, because events take place on an epic scale, before and during the military coup that took place in Greece in 1967. The characters, I’m speechless, they are so real and full of all the contradictions and fallibility that plagues the highest idealist. I particularly appreciated the skill with which Loretta Proctor gives all sides of the story. Tyrant, fascist, mother, wife, worker, idealist, journalist, lovers, villagers, all points of view are presented. The author gives each of her characters an individual voice, so that we understand all their actions. Even if we don’t sympathise. The different Greek families are affectionately portrayed, so real and individual that by the end of the book I felt that I knew them. And Greece. Greece is a living presence. The descriptions of Greece. The love for Greece. I loved the poetry the author has included in the book. There is so much pain for Greece, so reflective and relevant, particularly at the moment. A universal message. The coup is expertly described. We experience one of the characters waking up as the tanks rumble into Athens then going out onto the streets to investigate. Dying Phoenix also stands as a salute to the courage of the idealists in the face of terrible repression and cruelty. The rape and torture is shocking, a secret horror that is ongoing as normal life continues for many Greek citizens. The details of life in late nineteen sixties London and Greece add another layer of depth to the writing. I cannot be a plot spoiler but for me Loretta Proctor’s writing reached an extra powerful level in the scenes in the garage in Thessaloniki. Amazing passion and intensity. At the centre of this book is the complicated love story of Max and Nina. This is a very different kind of marriage, both characters change and evolve throughout the book and we are never sure what will happen next. I found the last part of 'Dying Phoenix' beautiful and inspirational. The author manages to combine the essence of romantic love with love for the spirit of Greece. What a book! My only complaint is that it finished too soon. MUCH too soon. How sensible it is to focus on the accumulation of money and to build a wall of security, thereby gaining control over your environment and ensuring perfect happiness. Only..... maybe it isn’t. My hero, Chud, the narrator of 'Consequences of the Heart' rejects official worldly wisdom and chooses love as his guiding principle. The results are often disastrous and heart rending but make him lovable and heroic in the oddest of situations. 'Consequences of the Heart' reads as truth, an accurate reflection of the way emotions disrupt the smooth running of daily life. It is also extremely funny.
Chud is one of three people forever bound by love and the tragic mystery of events at a place they named Delaware, a place shown on the beautiful cover of the book. The writing was so passionate I felt that I was living Chud's life. I hate spoilers so I can't elaborate, but there are many unexpected twists and turns until we finally learn the secret of Delaware. Peter Cunningham is an exceptional writer, an artist and poet with a wild sense of humour. The closing scenes of 'Consequences of the Heart' are extraordinary, epic and beautiful with amazing imagery,funny and tragic at the same time. A worn out and elderly body doesn't change the inner person. Chud loves and loves and loves some more. I was riveted, right up to the last line of the book. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Consequences-Heart-Peter-Cunningham-ebook/dp/B00H3IOWO2 |
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