It happened. Less than one week ago today over a bowl of Panera’s brocolli and cheese soup I wondered aloud “how long will it be before ABC starts announcing how many episodes of NYPD Blue are left”. Tonight at a quarter to nine the magic number was announced…..seven. And now there are only six. Six more episodes of the one show out of all shows that I have religiously followed, year in and year out. I missed the first year or so (although Christmas brought me year one on DVD…Thanks Pat!) but have watched it faithfully since. I have found no other television show to be this compelling nor any character as fully developed as Andy Sipowicz. Dennis Franz (and the writers) have brought more than one tear to my eye over the past several years and I’m sure there will be more to come before the final March 1st episode. When that day comes I will feel like I’ve lost an old friend and Tuesday nights will never be the same.
Obernewtyn is the first in a series of books written by award-winning Australian writer Isobelle Carmody. It is a postapocalyptic story set on an earth in which many children are born with enhanced mental abilities. Those with these abilities are termed Misfits and are sought for either extermination or service in Obernewtyn. The story follows Elspeth Gordie, a young girl with the gift to read minds and communicate with animals. Discovery of her powers by members of the Council lead to banishment to Obernewtyn where Elspeth must learn to control her powers in order to save her friends, and herself, from the evil being wrought there.
Ms. Carmody’s books have just recently made their way across the shores and are among a number of books that are following a recent trend: being printed unabridged in both children’s and adult versions. I came across this book while I was perusing Spectrum 11and noticing the cover art by Tristen Elwell. The coverwork for the adult version is by another spectrum alum, Donato Giancola. My initial impression was that the book was slow but by the time I finished the first chapter I was really into the story and finished the book in a day. The story moves along at a pace that keeps you interested in what is about to happen without being overwhelming. Ms. Carmody allows the reader to get to know her characters in such a way that you are interested in their respective fates. This is an appropriate story for children aged 10 and above but is by no means a “kid’s” story. I believe that the success of the Harry Potter novels has encouraged publishers to market books like the Obernewtyn Chronicles to children as well as adults. I would give the book 4 and 1/2 out of 5 stars…
Interesting facts:
Isobelle Carmody began Obernewtyn when she was just 14 years old.
The Obernewtyn Chronicles has spawned numerous fansites on which members can join guilds, get to know others, etc. as well as submit their own fanfiction based on Ms. Carmody’s characters.
Book 5, entitled The Sending, is rumored to be the last book of the series and is due out October 2005.
