What did you see? That is the theme that follows the reader throughout The Book of Atrus. It is one that allows the reader to practically be in the story, as the descriptions are so vivid, much like the games they are based on. This is a story about a young man named Atrus, who was raised by his grandmother, Anna. That is a question that Anna asks Atrus every chance she gets. She wants Atrus to learn about the world, be able to see the good in it, but also, be prepared to understand the evil in it as well. Ghen, the father of Atrus, comes to take him away to his original homeland, the city of the D'ni. There, Atrus learns from his father the Art of Writing. New worlds come into existence from the touch of ink to paper. These worlds are called "Ages." Something is not right, however. As the story unfolds, we see Atrus questioning his father's methods of Writing more and more. Writing is a delicate Art for the D'ni. If it is not done just right, then whole Ages could be lost. Atrus, having the education of Anna, sees things differently than Ghen, who views himself as a God among Men. This is the beginning of the Myst series, how the Myst Island came into being, how Atrus learned to Write, and, the beginning of a new Era for Atrus, Katherine, and Ghen. I fully recommend this book for anyone who has played the Myst computer games, and would like to know more about the D'ni, Atrus, Ghen, and the whole cast of characters that we see throughout the series. Stay tuned for a review of the second book in the series, "The Book of Ti'ana."
Title: The Book of Myst |
3/20/05
