Refuge: Tales of Myth and Magick, by Soror Diotima
Konton Publishing, 490346203X, 223 pp., 2005
When was the last time you licked up a book of myths? How about a book which retells myths in a new and novel (although not necessarily modern) way? Well, you’ve got one in your hands right now. And that’s not all. The stories are interspersed with poetry. Both are seemingly simple creations, but they are in actuality much more.
They work on multiple levels – they entertain; they convey older knowledge; and they stimulate your thought processes. These tales of myth and magick are a pleasure to read.
Oh, there are occasional errors (homophones creep in, letters are mis-types, etc.) but none of these detract from the easy pleasure inspired by the writings of this author. This was the second publication of hers I have had the pleasure of reading, and I look forward to her next offering (And Banish with Laughter) which is sitting on my desk waiting for me.
The stories are short, and the poems (which expand/explore the concepts in the preceding story) are even shorter. For those of us who yearn for “fill in” material (i.e., kill a few minutes while waiting for an appointment; before falling asleep; while on hold, etc.), this is a great book.
However, do not make the mistake of dismissing these writings as being of little depth. They will, if you permit, allow you to make connections on a lot of different levels, and in a lot of different ways. They will, in many cases, make you chuckle. They will also make you think.
Without a doubt this is one of the most enjoyable books I have read in quite a while. I take great pleasure in recommending to it to everyone.