History Corner: Book Review and Giveaway: Glastonbury Tor by LeAnne Hardy

Myths are stories based usually on a small fact, that are made to meet a need or answer a question. In this book there are 2 myths interwoven with the coming of age story:  Arthur and the Holy Grail (the cup that held Jesus' blood) and Gwyn ap Nudd, King of the Fairies, whose home is Glastonbury Tor, in England. Now one of those you may be familiar with, the other you may not. But in fact, they two are interwoven (in history) at the actual Glastonbury Tor Hill/village in Somerset (SW England). Thus today's review is coming under History Corner!

Synopsis:  His mother wanted him to be a monk…His father wanted him to be a man…A priest tempts him to pursue power…But Colin must find his own way.

After his mother’s tragic death, seventeen-year-old Colin Hay is so consumed with anger that he tries to kill his cruel father. Running from these tormenting desires and his home, he seeks the protection and cleansing of the Glastonbury monastery, at a time when King Henry VIII is closing monasteries all over England. But Colin’s past has followed him to Glastonbury. 

As he now pursues forgiveness and salvation, Colin is conflicted by the doctrines he learns at the monastery and the grace he receives from a local family with a forbidden English Bible. And then there is a quick-tempered priest whose lust for power threatens to compromise Glastonbury Abbey, and to destroy the astonishing treasure it holds—the Holy Grail.

About the Author: LeAnne Hardy has traveled the world responding to God's call to be a missionary, a call that has taken her to Africa, South America, and Eastern Europe. The diverse settings and plots in her books have been inspired by her real-life encounters there. Many of the stories and scenes from her books come from her family's experiences on the mission field or are based on true stories of others. In 2008 she and her family returned to their family lake home in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, and LeAnne took up ice skating!e. LeAne says" When I am not at my computer, you will probably find me at the ice rink figure skating.I can’t do a triple axel like you see on TV, but I do a nice sit spin and a decent waltz jump-toe loop combination!". You can read more at her website,www.leannehardy.net  and  www.leannehardy.net/blog.html

Review:  It's funny to me, in that weird 'Twilight Zone music type'  of way that I will say yes to a promo offering a book to review, that is 'Christian" and 2 months later when I get/read the book, the book has something directly in it's essence that answers or applies to a problem I am having NOW, at this moment (especially ones that were nowhere on the horizon when  said yes to the book)! Call it coincidence, but after the 15th time, you start calling it God giving you a HUGE SIGN. This book is another one of those! We are having internal issues at our current church and after yesterday's LAST VBS (thank you Jesus!), I turned in my resignation as Youth teacher and our family is taking time to consider changing to another church. To make a long story short (ie one sentence), this fictional book, brought home to me WHY I felt the need to leave and how it was in keeping with the ACTUAL primary tenet of our faith, THE BIBLE.

I know many people will call this a growing up story/ YA book, but really it is about the changes in faith and how we as a people have approached and learned our 'doctrinal religions' (in essence our religious maturity). In the changes that take place around the lead character, Colin, the author does a wonderful job of showing how history affected how the Christian faith and the bible was taught. From believing in Gwyn ap Nudd, to accepting Roman Catholicism, to the monarchy of England's use/misuse and organization of the Anglican church. We don't tend to think that having the bible in our homes and accessible to us at any time is anything other than standard.But there was a time when having one could get you seriously harmed and/or killed. The author through simple touches, illustrates how the bible IS the basis of all faiths, and should be remembered as such, and Jesus words were available to all.

This is not to say that this is just a historical tale. The story of Colin's maturity and the friends who become his family, is very engaging. I sailed through this book in 2 days! The author sweeps you through the reformation period, as the changes in the monarchy affect Colin's everyday life, and in turn bring about his meeting of Gwyn ap Nudd. There are SO many different nuances in this book, I can't begin to explain them all to you! And it is odd how every generation is still entranced with the whole Arthur of Camelot/Cup that is the Holy Grail (brought to England by Joseph of Arimethea) and did Jesus REALLY visit the Isle of England?. What is it that calls to us all? That there is an answer to the missing years of Jesus' life we know nothing of? That something so precious may still be found (seriously, I think humans are hard-wired for treasure seeking)? Whatever it is, Glastonbury Tor is ground zero for it.

If you like history, are intrigued with the history of the Catholic faith as a whole, and Celtic lore, you will REALLY like this book! And maybe it will give you some answers as well! I HIGHLY recommend this one to start your curiosity and send you off doing some research! Not to mention it's a great book!



**


**

Disclosure / Disclaimer:  I received this book, free of charge, from Kregel Publications, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it..