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A review by robintelldrake
Gatherer of Clouds by Sean Russell
4.0
A flawed but beloved old favorite from college, one I worry will pass from the collective memory sooner than it ought. That said, I must confess that I'm giving it stars based, I suppose, on a separate scale from that I might apply to Beowulf, say, or Dubliners. Perhaps--and I am realizing this as I consider the question of how many stars to award here--I use a five-star scale not so much as an absolute range of value applicable across all books, but as a measure of the extent to which a book met the expectations with which I came to it. Making it all doubly subjective, but I think that really is a more honest assessment of how I've been thinking of it. Nice to realize that.
And in that light, having approached Initiate Brother as a fantasy novel (I regard it and its nominal sequel, Gatherer of Clouds, as one novel broken into parts for publisher's purposes), it acquitted itself very well indeed. Russell seems to be finding his way as he writes the chapters in order, so that the first is the wobbliest. The plot, baroque enough to require real care in following it, has some points that don't quite add up. But there is also a subtlety there that is probably the book's greatest strength: you really do need to pay attention to the action as the pieces move around the broad board of imperial intrigue, or you won't notice when this or that agent reports to his superior with small lies and omissions that are our only warning of that agent's secret agenda, which may matter down the road. After one misstep in that first chapter, Russell has the authorial assurance necessary to lie to the reader--rather than try and tiptoe around a narrative lie, and thereby betray his plans for what will follow.
It's a large ensemble cast, with significant characters still being introduced well over halfway through the action, and the main characters are pretty good. Shonto, almost as much the main character as titular Brother Shuyun, is an interesting compromise--he is presented as a master strategist, but never in the book will he execute any masterful strategies. Mostly he shows himself to be resolute, coolheaded, principled, blessed with superlative staff, and skilled at divining the truth among rumors. Which will do for a hero, surely. But in battle the credit always goes to his retainers, or to his good fortune in having Shuyun at his service. Small matter. The nature of his repute going into the story isn't as important as his lordly mien, and his position as lightning rod for the wrath of a vindictive emperor.
And so on. Our Lady Nishima is compelling, if something of a feminist anachronism (if it makes any sense to cry anachronism in a backdrop that's a curious blend of Japanese language, dress and culture on a Chinese geographic and political map). Lord Komawara is fine as a spirited young romantic lead. The emperor brings a lively menace to everything. The brothers Jaku, his servants, are vivid, perhaps at the cost of watching the author enjoy himself too much in describing them. The many supporting characters are deftly and carefully drawn.
I'm rereading this just lately, in an intermittent way. We'll see if it stands up. I am noticing right away, though, the the book slows for a few chapters after the second, and before Shuyun reappears I am impatient for his arrival. He is the life of the story, his predicament as he ventures from his cloister into a world that seems like more than illusion. Half Zen master and half Shaolin monk, he is the only one on the trail of the big wheel that's turning, virtually forgotten behind all the machinations of warfare. And his character, despite being wrapped in something of a martial arts caricature, is probably the most nuanced of the lot.
Immensely enjoyable, warts and all. I'll update if reading through it again should change my view of it.
And in that light, having approached Initiate Brother as a fantasy novel (I regard it and its nominal sequel, Gatherer of Clouds, as one novel broken into parts for publisher's purposes), it acquitted itself very well indeed. Russell seems to be finding his way as he writes the chapters in order, so that the first is the wobbliest. The plot, baroque enough to require real care in following it, has some points that don't quite add up. But there is also a subtlety there that is probably the book's greatest strength: you really do need to pay attention to the action as the pieces move around the broad board of imperial intrigue, or you won't notice when this or that agent reports to his superior with small lies and omissions that are our only warning of that agent's secret agenda, which may matter down the road. After one misstep in that first chapter, Russell has the authorial assurance necessary to lie to the reader--rather than try and tiptoe around a narrative lie, and thereby betray his plans for what will follow.
It's a large ensemble cast, with significant characters still being introduced well over halfway through the action, and the main characters are pretty good. Shonto, almost as much the main character as titular Brother Shuyun, is an interesting compromise--he is presented as a master strategist, but never in the book will he execute any masterful strategies. Mostly he shows himself to be resolute, coolheaded, principled, blessed with superlative staff, and skilled at divining the truth among rumors. Which will do for a hero, surely. But in battle the credit always goes to his retainers, or to his good fortune in having Shuyun at his service. Small matter. The nature of his repute going into the story isn't as important as his lordly mien, and his position as lightning rod for the wrath of a vindictive emperor.
And so on. Our Lady Nishima is compelling, if something of a feminist anachronism (if it makes any sense to cry anachronism in a backdrop that's a curious blend of Japanese language, dress and culture on a Chinese geographic and political map). Lord Komawara is fine as a spirited young romantic lead. The emperor brings a lively menace to everything. The brothers Jaku, his servants, are vivid, perhaps at the cost of watching the author enjoy himself too much in describing them. The many supporting characters are deftly and carefully drawn.
I'm rereading this just lately, in an intermittent way. We'll see if it stands up. I am noticing right away, though, the the book slows for a few chapters after the second, and before Shuyun reappears I am impatient for his arrival. He is the life of the story, his predicament as he ventures from his cloister into a world that seems like more than illusion. Half Zen master and half Shaolin monk, he is the only one on the trail of the big wheel that's turning, virtually forgotten behind all the machinations of warfare. And his character, despite being wrapped in something of a martial arts caricature, is probably the most nuanced of the lot.
Immensely enjoyable, warts and all. I'll update if reading through it again should change my view of it.