The Caretakers of the Imagination of the World
"Here, There Be Dragons" Book Review by Nicee Malijan
Books to be tasted, swallowed, chewed and digested.
omeone once told me that books are like cars, the moment that you turn on the ignition, you know you'll be going somewhere. Of course I didn't believe her then because who would think that books are 'like cars' when you are an 8 year old girl whose sole desire then is to just re-organize her stationary collection.
But through the years, I did find reading books a great way to spend time. I've read from Sweet Valley, Love Stories, and the occasional book to film to book paperback. But thinking back on it now, I probably have read them because the people I hang out with thinks it’s cool and told me to read them. And being the ignoramus that I was back then, I read and thought like them. Kinda sad really, but hey, every angst ridden adolescent has their odd phase right?
As I grew up-not by height unfortunately, I've slowly learned to appreciate books, not because other people told me to. I read books because I, myself find them interesting and not because some trollop says I should read it. I read books because they form my nature, they bring me experiences and gives my world view new directions. Though there were some books that I have only read in parts, others, just read, but not curiously. But there were some that I've read wholly and with diligence and attention; Here, There Be Dragons is one of them.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
The book starts in a dark and rainy night in London when a young man from Oxford named John was summoned by his mentor to his side because of a serious matter that they both need to discuss in person. John, being on medical leave from his battalion in World War I, instantly took leave from his wife and traveled quickly to his professor but arriving at the professor's place, he horribly finds out that his favorite mentor is dead--murdered to be precise. Completely dumbfounded on the sudden events, John meets two other Oxford men, Charles, a University Press editor and Jack, an Oxford student at the crime scene, both has a surreal link to the professor's work and life.
The three young men decided to talk the events of the night like the regular British men that they are—a drink at a local Oxford club situated at 221B Baker Street (Sherlock Holmes anyone?). There, after brooding over the fact that the murder happened in the date of March 15 (Shakespeare enthusiasts will know this date), they meet an eccentric and mysterious little man named Bert and told them that they must come with him to his ship because the people who killed John's mentor are now after them. Being the British Scholars that they are, they asked why. Bert told them that they are now the caretakers of the Imaginarium Geographica-—an atlas that has existed for thousand of years that we mere mortals thought that has only existed in myths and legends, fable and fairy tales;
"What is it?" John asked.
The little man blinked and arched an eyebrow.
"It is the world, my boy," he said. "All the world, in ink and blood, vellum and parchment, leather and hide. It is the world, and it is yours to save or lose."
They call it The Archipelago of Dreams.
Bert then tells them that the only way that they could go to these places is through his boat called the Indigo Dragon, a ship where its whole crew are sullen hoofed Fauns. From there, John, Jack and Charles find themselves in places that they only have read from the works of some of the cultural and scientific icons that had lived in the history of the entire human race.
In the Archipelago, the boys find out that this realm is troubled, for the king—a Son of Adam and a descendant of Arthur himself—has been killed and there is no heir apparent for the Silver Throne, thus, making the four major races of elves, dwarves, goblins, and trolls into a steady beat of discord. Though, there is a man—with a hook for a hand, who calls himself the Winter King, he claims that he is the rightful ruler of the Archipelago. But unbeknown to many, he steals 'shadows' of men and beast from the many islands of the Archipelago and turns them into ice like creatures with no souls, making them his mindless soldiers.
Working together to save this world and beat this foe, John, Jack and Charles find themselves in situations that are eerily similar to the real-world events of the Great War. They also encounter Arthurian and pre-Biblical flood characters, talking beavers, and learning how to use a Ring of Power for good, searching for Pandora's Box while decipher the mutterings of a pack of cards. Finally, they also learn to overcome their fears and trust one another in order to fight in an epic battle to restore peace and proclaim the rightful king of the land so that he can be able to call the dragons back to the realm.
Homage to Fantasy
To tell you the truth, even before I have read this book, I have already known the ending which is due to the fact that Google gave me an alert on this. But still, that didn't stop me from reading it, not because of the spoilers, but for the fact that a whole new epic story has given us a whole new understanding of how to find our strengths and how to overcome the fear that is preventing us from embracing our destiny;
“Our weaknesses are always evident, both to ourselves and to others. But our strengths are hidden until we choose to reveal them--and that is when we are truly tested. When all that we have within is exposed and we may no longer blame our inadequacies for our failure but must depend upon our strengths to succeed. That is when a measure of man is taken.”
I have honestly never realized that combining the simple what ifs from mankind's memorable works of some of my favorite literature legends like Jules Verne, Lewis Caroll, Sir Thomas Mallory, Sir James Barrie, HG Wells, William Shakespeare, and the true identities of our three 'heroes'-John, Jack and Charles-20th century's most famous fantasy writers—can create a whole new plethora of masterful writing and make me giddy again like a school girl.
The possibilities of this book have also honestly been lingering at the back of my mind-each of them special and particular to me. But now, here it is, set down by someone else, someone I don't even know and probably would never meet. And yet James A. Owen took my hand and said, 'Books are cars really, you just have to turn the ignition and drive to your destination.' Unfortunately, at 24, I do not have a car so I can't really apply that literally but I do have a clear idea on what he means. :)
*Notes: The book is an original screenplay idea by James A. Owen that he decided to make it into a book. The book will also be made into a movie and will be released in 2009-2010 that is going to be produced by the same people who produced the Harry Potter movies. The script will be written by the same guy who wrote Batman Begins.
The book is available at the TPON Virtual Library. It’s also available at bookstores everywhere.