~Delightful!

The Bark of the Bog Owl opens with a restless, twelve-year-old, Aidan Errolson, guarding docile sheep in the bottom pasture on his father's estate. Perched on the edge of the wild country, Aidan longs for adventure and dreams of doing great things for king and country. His older brothers think he's silly and that makes him all the more adorable. I was rooting for him from page one.

The story follows Aidan through many dangers--from alligator hunting on the Tam, to standing trial in the Feechiefen Swamp, to fighting on the field of battle. The author, Jonathan Rogers, paints the scenery well. He fills the pages with the muck, the dangerous animals, the nasty smells--all the interesting stuff. Whether he's writing about a swamp, an army camp, or a dark cave, Dr. Rogers gives enough detail for the reader to see clearly, while spinning the story out at a brisk pace.

Though the book is fast-paced and the scenery is good, the strength of the book is in the characterization. Besides the brave and loyal Aidan, Rogers gives us Dobro Turtlebane, a wild, openhearted, feechie boy. All the feechiefolk--the he-feechies, she-feechies, and wee-feechies--are hugely appealing, with a childlike honesty that makes their rude behavior acceptable. They are unspoiled by the demands of polite society and the author's sense of humor bursts from feechie mouths in every scene they inhabit. The wild feechie antics--every bump and bruise inflicted or incurred--kept me (and my kids) laughing out loud. How an educated civilizer, such as Dr. Rogers, came up with the hysterical habits of the feechiefolk remains a mystery, but it does give rise to speculation about the nature of some of the ancestors he has barking up in his family tree.

While the book is fun, it is not frivolous. It has weight. It has meaning. It's the best kind of adventure story--one that is true.

The Bark of the Bog Owl is full of truth. It made me think about the cost of friendship with the world. It demonstrated that between people vastly different and suspicious on the outside, there is the possibility of great kinship and loyalty on the inside. It reminded me that prudence is believing God and fearing him rather than man.

Aidan urges readers to live uprightly and richly. He wades through difficulties, conducting himself with integrity and joyful abandon. These two character attributes don't clash--they complement each other. And Aidan's vibrant, victorious life stands in clear contrast to the faithless lives of the downhearted soldiers of Corenwald.

The plot is predictable--you'll recognize the story of a famous shepherd boy-turned king soon enough. But how many children's stories aren't predictable? We know Aidan will win, but how will he do it? The joy is in the journey and the journey Aidan led me on was most enjoyable.

So in The Bark of the Bog Owl I find eternal truths adding depth and substance to a fast-paced, funny, adventure story, peopled with loveable characters. All levels work in concert to form a seamless whole that is altogether delightful.

As an extra bonus, if you like reading aloud to the family, this book is perfect. The feechiefolk are such great fun.

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Copyright © 2005 Sally Apokedak