Posted by Cardigan on October 23, 2001 at 12:03:36:
Marketed with the slogan, "Think you don't like fantasy? Think again.", WISH YOU WERE HERE by Vincent M. Wales is a stunning novel.
The story of Vincent, a young man taken from a dull, aimless existence on Earth and transplanted into a new world where he is destined to do extraordinary things, this book combines a fantasy setting with some real earth issues to create an intelligent fantasy story.
Vincent has difficulty adapting to his life in this other world at first. He is taken in by Blade and Gnorrin - two friends, one a warrior and the other a mage - who teach him the ways of the world. While with them he meets and falls in love with Ariaziane, an orphan girl some years younger than him.
This love is not fully requited at first, and he finds himself the subject of strong affection from Rhia, a witch hired by Blade to try and find a way home for Vincent.
Ariaziane has her own problems, however, and when she embarks on a quest to find out about herself and her past, alone, Vincent is not sure what to do or feel.
The story follows him for several years in this other world. Partly in narrative and partly in diary form, we see Vincent grow from being a over-weight, unfit, unhappy young man with low self esteem into an attractive twenty-something who is admired by many for his amazing deeds.
The author is a campaigner for polyamory awareness and acceptance, and this is reflected in the story while Vincent tries to come to terms with his confusion over his feelings for Ariaziane, whom he may never see again, and Rhia.
The book is quite long, but does not feel so when you are reading it. There is a lot of action, a lot of romance, and for every serious point there is also a little light-heartedness. The humor is well done and often makes you take a step back and think about the way we live our lives and the values we have.
This is a hard book to classify - it certainly is not your average fantasy story. In many ways Vincent's development is similar to a coming of age novel, and the drama reminded me of a Greek tragedy in parts. The style is engrossing - adventure scenes like Tolkein's but without the excessive descriptiveness. Lots of action, but combined with characters that have strong, believable personalities.
If sex or incest makes you uncomfortable, or you prefer your fantasy to be simply sword & sorcery (David Eddings style) then don't read this book. If you want something that has the best of many styles, and is fresh, witty and exciting, give Wish You Were Here a go. Just make sure you've got time to read it all in one go - you'll want to!
--Review by BookNet.org.uk
Wish You Were Here was chosen as their Book of the Month in November, 2001