A Celestial Birthday: The 2024 Great American Eclipse

April 21, 2024JournalE.S.O. Martin

This year’s vacation was truly a journey under the stars. As a family, we ventured from the San Francisco Bay Area to Uvalde, Texas, to witness the Great American Eclipse at the Neuces River RV Resort—a magical experience that coincided with my birthday on April 8th!

We had been lucky enough to see the previous total eclipse in 2017 in Oregon, but our son was a bit too young to remember that one. He will definitely remember this one!

This year, despite the partly cloudy skies, we had a wonderful view of the eclipse. Just as totality approached, the clouds parted, revealing the mesmerizing sight of a “double-diamond” eclipse—a rare phenomenon where sunlight sparkles through lunar valleys.

The world around us plunged into twilight; the temperature dropped, and the crowd erupted into cheers and wolf-howls. For nearly four magical minutes, we were enveloped in darkness, witnessing what felt like a cosmic miracle.

Celebrating my birthday under such circumstances was extraordinary. I joked with my husband that he was the ultimate romantic for having brought me both the sun and the moon on my birthday. But this family trip together was truly a gift beyond compare.

The rest of our journey was a lot of fun, even though it involved many days of intense driving. In two weeks we drove for more than 60 hours and covered more than 3,800 miles in the car. Our route took us down to Morro Bay, where we got to see a SpaceX rocket launch. From there, we went east to spend a couple days at the Grand Canyon, then to Texas. On our return trip, we visited Pismo Beach.

When I was a kid, my family did a lot of road trips, and one of the highlights of long car rides for me is getting to listen to audiobooks. It was really fun to get to share that joy with my husband and son.

Together, we delved into Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything, which is a humorous non-fiction book about science. Our family loves science and we love humor, so this was a perfect fit for us. It was the perfect book to listen to while contemplating the geological history of the desert of the American Southwest, and the miracle of cosmic bodies migrating across the heavens. Bill Bryson does such a good job capturing the human stories behind scientific discoveries.

My husband and I also enjoyed listening to several of Tony Hillerman’s Leaphorn & Chee novels as we drove across the desert. This was the perfect set of books to listen to, as we drove past many of the landmarks mentioned in the books. We listened to The Blessing Way, Dance Hall of the Dead and People of Darkness. Hillerman’s books are more than just mysteries; they paint vivid pictures of the Navajo Nation and the Southwestern landscape. His writing brings to life the region’s magic and nature, enhancing our journey with stories as compelling as the landscapes themselves.

Reflecting on this trip, it’s the shared experiences and discoveries that stand out—the cosmic dance of an eclipse, the stories of land and sky, and the laughter and wonder our family shared. Each mile brought us closer in ways that only a cross-country road trip could.

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Book Review: The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

April 20, 2024Journal, Reviews, PolishE.S.O. Martin

Jodi Picoult’s The Storyteller weaves a complex tapestry of narratives that delve into the depths of human guilt, redemption, and the enduring impact of historical atrocities on personal identities and familial legacies. Through the intertwining lives of Sage Singer, a baker grappling with the loss of her mother, Josef Weber, an elderly man with a dark secret, and Malinka, a Holocaust survivor, Picoult challenges the reader to confront the uncomfortable moral ambiguities of justice and forgiveness.

Interwoven Narratives:

At the heart of the novel is Sage Singer, who, while trying to navigate her own sea of grief and guilt, encounters Josef Weber, a beloved community figure with a hidden past as a Nazi commander. This revelation sets off a moral quandary for Sage, whose Jewish heritage and familial connections to the Holocaust, through her grandmother Malinka—a survivor of Auschwitz—deepens the narrative’s exploration of historical memory and its implications for the present.

Malinka’s storyline provides a harrowing glimpse into the Holocaust’s dehumanizing brutality, capturing the desperation, resilience, and the indomitable will to survive amidst unthinkable horrors. Her stories, particularly the haunting dark fantasy tale she composed during her imprisonment, serve as a testament to the power of storytelling as a means of endurance and escape from the grim reality of the concentration camps.

Themes of Endurance and the Power of Storytelling:

Picoult masterfully uses the motif of storytelling as a form of resistance against the erasure of history and the diminishment of human suffering. Malinka’s fantastical horror story, set in a Polish village plagued by mysterious disappearances and vampiric entities, not only provides a stark contrast to the real-life terror of Auschwitz but also underscores the vital role of imagination as a sanctuary from pain.

The novel’s exploration of the complexities of survivorship—highlighting the roles of luck, endurance, guilt, and the human capacity for both cruelty and kindness—resonates deeply with those familiar with the lasting scars of historical traumas. Malinka’s role as storyteller shows that stories serve a crucial function in offering temporary respite from pain. This is a nuanced perspective on the value of literature and art in coping with grief and trauma.

Personal Reflections:

This book had personal significance for me, because both my grandmother and great-grandmother survived the horrors of Auschwitz. The Storyteller acknowledges the generational pain, and the cathartic power of storytelling in processing and understanding trauma.

The Storyteller is not just a novel; it’s an invitation to reflect on the multifaceted nature of humanity and the indelible impact of our histories on our present selves.

For those drawn to stories that venture into the shadows to find the light, I encourage you to join my Reader’s Club newsletter. Here, we explore tales that, much like Picoult’s narrative, navigate the intricate dance between darkness and redemption, offering insights into both the fantastical and the all-too-real aspects of our existence. Together, let’s explore the stories that shape us, haunt us, and ultimately, heal us.

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UPDATE — This blog post includes text and images generated with the assistance of OpenAI’s models. I provided detailed prompts, curated the outputs, and made edits, but the majority of the content was created with AI assistance. This disclosure aligns with my commitment to transparency under the EU AI Act. Disclosure added on November 18, 2024 to align with transparency requirements under the EU AI Act.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Portions of this content were generated using OpenAI’s models, with significant curation, editing, and creative input by E. S. O. Martin. AI-generated portions may not be subject to copyright under current laws.

The Tragedy of Jarilo and Marzanna: A Tale of Seasons and Sacrifice

April 13, 2024Journal, Slavic Spirits (series)E.S.O. Martin

One of the most important seasonal myths in Slavic lore is of the tragic love story of Jarilo and Marzanna, twins who were separated at birth, who later fell in love and married, and then were separated by death. The story of Jarilo and Marzanna stands as a poignant narrative that explores themes of love, betrayal, and the cyclical nature of life and death. This story, deeply rooted in the cultural and agricultural practices of the Slavic peoples, not only explains the turning of the seasons but also delves into the complexities of human emotions and cosmic balance.

Divine Origins and Celestial Upbringing

The goddess Mokosh with her twins, Jarilo and Marzanna. To broke peace, Jarilo and Marzanna were separated and each raised by the other’s father.

Jarilo and Marzanna, the twin children of the earth goddess Mokosh, were born under unique circumstances. Their conception was the result of Mokosh’s union with two powerful deities: Perun, the god of the sky, and Veles, the god of the underworld. This dual paternity led to a celestial conflict when Perun discovered the twins, prompting a fierce battle against Veles, symbolized by a tumultuous storm of lightning and thunder.

To restore peace, Mokosh intervened, proposing a solution where each god would raise the other’s child. Veles took Jarilo to Nawia, the land at the roots of the World Tree, fostering him with love and affection. Conversely, Perun raised Marzanna in Prawia, at the crown of the World Tree, with fairness but reserved warmth due to her constant reminder of Veles.

Spring: A Fateful Meeting and a Love Born

Jarilo, god of spring, summer, agriculture, and war. He is often pictured riding a white horse.

Separated since birth and raised apart, the twins met for the first time in Yawia, the land of the living, as young deities appointed to perform their divine duties. Unaware of their sibling connection, they fell deeply in love. Their union symbolized the perfect harmony between action, represented by Jarilo, and intuition, embodied by Marzanna. Their passionate relationship celebrated during the spring equinox and culminated in marriage on Kupala Night, the summer solstice.

Summer: Kupala Night and the Rites of Marriage

Jarilo and Marzanna marry on Kupula night, the summer solstice

Kupala Night was a significant event for the Slavs, a time when communal festivities allowed young couples to engage in courtship rituals, including communal bathing and jumping over bonfires. It was a night when arrangements could be set aside, and love could dictate one’s choice in partnership. Jarilo and Marzanna’s wedding was a grand celebration of their love, intertwining their destinies with the agricultural cycle of the community.

Autumnal: Tragedy Strikes with the Harvest

The tale takes a somber turn with the arrival of autumn. Marzanna, discovering Jarilo’s infidelity, was overcome with rage and sorrow. In her anguish, she killed Jarilo with a scythe, his blood nourishing the fields and marking the beginning of the harvest. This act, while violent, was deeply symbolic, representing the necessary sacrifice for life to continue, ensuring that the community would have food to sustain them through the winter.

Winter: Marzanna’s Transformation and the Season of Darkness

Marzanna, goddess of winter, illness, death, witchcraft

The death of Jarilo plunged the world into darkness and cold, reflecting Marzanna’s grief and transformation into a formidable goddess of winter, blight, and illness. She roamed the snowy landscapes, a figure of sorrow and vengeance, feared for her powers over death and the supernatural.

Rebirth and the Cycle Continues

Straw effigy for the Drowning of the Marzanna, signaling the end of winter

Each spring, a ceremony known as the Drowning of Marzanna took place. Villagers would create an effigy of Marzanna, parading it through the streets to absorb the winter’s hardships, then burn and drown it in a river, symbolically sending Marzanna back to Nawia. This ritual paved the way for the rebirth of both Jarilo and Marzanna, allowing the cycle of seasons, love, and life to begin anew.

Marzanna, traveling through the river to the land of Naw, to be reborn in the spring to begin the cycle anew

Enduring Legacy

The tragedy of Jarilo and Marzanna resonates beyond its mythological origins, reflecting the Slavic understanding of the natural world’s rhythms and the human condition’s emotional depths. It teaches lessons about the balance of life and death, the power of love and loss, and the eternal hope of renewal—themes that continue to inspire and resonate through generations.

If you would like to learn more about Slavic folklore, check out the rest of my “Slavic Spirits” blog series. If you like what you see, you might also enjoy signing up for my free Reader’s Club. Club members get monthly emails with updates on my works in progress, book reviews, and exclusive content.

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Book Review: Doll Bones by Holly Black

April 6, 2024Journal, ReviewsE.S.O. Martin

The Last Adventure: Tackling the Threshold of Adulthood in ‘Doll Bones’

In the enchanting realm of middle-grade literature, Holly Black’s Doll Bones emerges as a hauntingly beautiful narrative that transcends the boundaries of imagination and reality. This Newbery Award-winning novel is a testament to the bittersweet journey of growing up, told through the eyes of three inseparable friends: Zach, Poppy, and Alice.

The Heart of Childhood Adventures:

Zach, Poppy, and Alice have shared countless adventures, animating their toys and action figures with rich, fantastical stories. But as the cusp of adolescence looms, their friendship faces the inevitable tides of change. Zach grapples with his father’s expectations to abandon child’s play, Alice confronts the bewildering changes of puberty, and Poppy fears losing her friends and being left behind.

A Haunting Quest:

The narrative takes a compelling turn when Poppy reveals that a porcelain doll, locked away in her home, whispers of its haunted past. This revelation sets the trio on an unexpected journey, a final adventure that weaves the threads of friendship with the eerie lore of the doll’s ghostly origins. Their quest to unravel the mystery of a girl’s disappearance and to lay the doll’s spirit to rest is as much about confronting their personal demons as it is about solving the enigma.

A Creepy, Captivating Tale:

Doll Bones strikes a perfect balance between the eerie and the profound, making it a page-turning read for middle graders and adults alike. Holly Black’s mastery in crafting a story that is creepy yet not overly graphic is commendable. The novel delves deep into the essence of friendship, the pain of letting go, and the courage to step into the unknown.

The characters, with their distinct fears and dreams, are brought to life with such empathy and depth that readers of all ages will find echoes of their own childhoods within these pages.

Doll Bones is more than a story; it’s a reflection on the thresholds we cross from childhood to adolescence, marked by the relics of our innocence and the strength we muster to face the unknown. Holly Black has indeed woven a tapestry rich with the hues of nostalgia, friendship, and the thrilling chill of a ghostly tale.

For those enchanted by the allure of Doll Bones and the exploration of friendships tinged with the supernatural, I invite you to join my Reader’s Club newsletter. Dive deeper into the world of enchanting reads, stay updated on my works in progress, and explore the Slavic Spirits series, where I unravel the myths and legends of the Slavs. Let’s embark on this journey of storytelling together, where magic knows no bounds, and every tale is a doorway to a new adventure.

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Book Review: The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony Diterlizzi

March 30, 2024Journal, ReviewsE.S.O. Martin

Where Fairies Lurk: A Journey into the Spiderwick Chronicles

The Spiderwick Chronicle is a captivating series that invites readers into a world where the line between the mundane and the magical is blurred. Written by Holly Black with enchanting illustrations by Tony Diterlizzi, the series is divided into two parts: the original quintet and a sequel trilogy titled Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles.

This series will captivate readers who revel in tales where the real and the fantastical intertwine, especially appealing to middle-grade readers who appreciate a darker, more authentic take on childhood adventures.

The Spiderwick Chronicles

The original series follows the Grace children – Jared, Simon, and Mallory – as they uncover a hidden world of faeries and other fantastical beings upon moving into the decrepit Spiderwick Estate.

1. The Field Guide: The siblings discover Arthur Spiderwick’s field guide and the unseen world it reveals.

2. The Seeing Stone: With a magical stone, Jared sees the invisible world, leading to a daring rescue.

3. Lucinda’s Secret: The Graces seek their great-aunt Lucinda’s wisdom, delving deeper into the mystery.

4. The Ironwood Tree: A kidnapping at school drags the siblings into a deeper, darker adventure.

5. The Wrath of Mulgarath: The ultimate confrontation with Mulgarath to save their mother and the guide.

Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles

This sequel-series to the Spiderwick Chronicles follows eleven-year-old Nick Vargas, his big brother Julian, and their new step-sister Laurie as they discover giants, mermaids, and fire-breathing salamanders who threaten their Florida home. Jared, Simon, and Mallory from the original series also make guest appearances.

1. The Nixie’s Song: A new adventure with a nixie’s cry for help, introducing new characters and challenges.

2. A Giant Problem: The children face off against a destructive giant, testing their courage and ingenuity.

3. The Wyrm King: The thrilling conclusion, where the siblings confront the serpent king to restore balance.

Storyteller and Artist Complement Each Other in The Spiderwick Chronicles:

Holly Black’s writing in “The Spiderwick Chronicles” stands out for its acknowledgment of the darker, more perilous aspects of childhood. The series does not shy away from showing that children can and do face real dangers, adding a layer of authenticity to their encounters with the fairy realm.

Tony Diterlizzi’s art breathes life into this shadowy world. His black-and-white illustrations are a window into the eerie and the whimsical, perfectly capturing the essence of each character and creature. The slightly unsettling depiction of goblins adds a tangible sense of danger, complementing Black’s narrative beautifully.

If you’ve been enthralled by the adventures of the Grace children and the magical world they navigate, I invite you to join me on a similar journey into the heart of Slavic folklore. I’m currently working on a collection of Slavic fairy tales for children, where the mystical and the monstrous coexist in stories that are as inspiring as they are instructive. By subscribing to my email list, you’ll gain insight into a world where “the sight” might reveal Baba Yaga’s hut on chicken legs or a domovoi guarding the hearth. Let’s explore these enchanting tales together and discover the magic hidden in plain sight.

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Book Review: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children series by Ransom Riggs

March 23, 2024Journal, ReviewsE.S.O. Martin

From Vintage Photos to Vivid Fantasies: The Art of Being Peculiar

Ransom Riggs’s Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a series that stands out in the young adult genre, weaving a tapestry of eerie vintage photographs into a narrative teeming with supernatural powers and hidden sanctuaries. What sets this series apart is not just its unique storytelling method, but its exploration of what it means to be special in a world that fears the extraordinary.

One of the interesting features of this series is that its writing was inspired by eerie vintage photographs, which Ransom Riggs has woven into the books.

This is absolutely one of my all-time favorite young adult series.

In 2016, the first book in the series was made into a movie by Tim Burton.

Series Overview:

1. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children — Introduces Jacob, who discovers the reality behind his grandfather’s tales of a home sheltering children with extraordinary abilities, upon visiting a mysterious island which has a time loop that takes Jacob back to the 1940s.

2. Hollow City — Jacob and his peculiar friends embark on a journey across war-torn Europe, seeking to cure Miss Peregrine, who is stuck in bird form.

3. Library of Souls — The peculiars face a formidable foe and uncover new aspects of the peculiar world, leading to a thrilling quest for liberation and identity.

4. A Map of Days — The peculiars venture into America, exploring new time loops and confronting the challenges of a vastly different world.

5. The Conference of the Birds — Jacob’s story takes a turn as he follows clues that might lead to a powerful new ally.

6. The Desolation of Devil’s Acre — The series concludes with a climactic battle, testing the peculiar’s strength, resolve, and the very nature of their peculiarities.

Tales of the Peculiar — A short story collection of fairy tales set in the world of the peculiar. Throughout the series, Jacob and his friends keep referencing a book called “Tales of the Peculiar,” which has stories about imbrins, children who can remove nightmares from people’s dreams, and stories of boys turning into birds, and stories of cannibals. This is that book. It is a sort of “Grimm’s Book of Fairy Tales” for the Peculiar World.

Jacob’s journey from grief to the discovery of his own peculiarities is both a thrilling adventure and a chillingly eerie tale of self-discovery. Riggs masterfully crafts a narrative that is as haunting as it is beautiful, making “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” a series that will resonate deeply with any reader who has ever felt out of place. Although these book were written for a young adult audience, I definitely felt like they had an emotional depth that would resonate with adults as well.

What I adored the most about this series is its ability to transport readers into a world where the peculiar is celebrated, and the boundaries of reality are expanded by the power of imagination. Riggs doesn’t talk down to his audience. These books are a poignant reminder of the magic that lies in accepting our own peculiarities and in how empowering it is to find a tribe of your own, even if your family of origin rejects you.

If you liked this review, feel free to share it with a friend and/or sign up for my VIP Reader’s Club so that you can get blog posts like these straight to your inbox. Members of my Reader’s Club also get updates on my works in progress, and exclusive offers.

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