Im reading aloud the Wingfeather Saga to my kids (again). And the way that that gets expressed is a little bit different for the parents, because I mean you show it really beautifully I think with Podo at the end of North! And they end up seeing this world brighter, not duller, you have introduced a Christian love of story in their lives. Andrew Peterson: I think it comes down to the fact that I wanted the world to feel real, and therefore, I wanted the characters to feel real. Andrew Peterson: So I think that the deepest layer of dirt beneath the leaf-mold was the fact that Id grown up taking the Bible stories for granted. Jake Meador: Yeah. Jake Meador: Oh, of course. Andrew Peterson: So I care about The Shire more, or in a different way than I do about Narnia. So buckle up and listen to how they save Sara and Janner! They Saw the Horrific Aftermath of a Mass Shooting. The Wingfeathers crossed the Dark Sea of Darkness and arrived in Skree, where they lived for nine years under the surname Igiby, their maternal grandmother's -Wendolyn Igiby Helmer- last name. The first book, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is the 2008 Christy Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. It's also kind of a Heartwarming Moment, because after reflecting on how selfish he's been throughout his adventures, he finally sacrifices himself to save his brother and many others. And you end up finding little pockets of the story that carry more weight than you ever wouldve thought. Amazon.Adorning the Dark: On Community, Malling and the Mystery of Caking by Andrew Peterson. Im a Christian, husband of one, father of two, university lecturer, Baptist lay-preacher and Christian Education director. Or Be Eaten, then The Monster in the Hollows and the last book is The Warden and the Wolf King. through all the books he learns to put others before himself, coming to that COMPLETELY UNNEEDED PART AT THE END ANDREW I WILL FIND YOU AND MAKE YOU REWRITE IT, now that youre finished *slides you $20* would you be interested in reading my fanfic? Jake Meador: Yeah. But in the Wingfeather books, even with Gnag, you actually realize theres this wound there, that has caused him to be the way he is. He had lain in wait for the perfect moment to spring: the perfect song at the perfect hour of the day, the contrition of my hungry heart, the intricate staging of the beauty that had led me to that dewy lawn, and his holy, brooding spirit draped over the valley like a mist. Rabbit Room Exclusive - Preorder through the Rabbit Room Store and receive a 11x17 Map of Aerwiar. But he was saved by Christ because his faith on God was counted as righteousness and Abrahams saving faith was ultimately found in Christ. The theological core is Christian. I tried not to have any. And so, thats the kind of story that I was trying to tell. The teacher said, If you want to understand Western literature, you have to have an understanding of the scripture first.. Ha. My goal was for a kid to finish the last page of The Wingfeather Saga, and to know in a way that they didnt know before that there is something stronger than the darkness. Jake Meador:Right. Andrew Peterson: Well, there are two answers to that question. YES, THE WINGFEATHER SAGA!!!!!!!!! Well, in the text, one of the first things it means is that they get to name the rest of creation, and so that was kind of where I was thinking with that theme. Theres not a lot of interest in the world itself, where things come from, where characters come from. Janners death is so moving but so, so, SO devastating. The scariest sound in the Wingfeather series is Moo. You see what Nias greatest fears are, and she has to also confront those. They both had classical training, and could probably read The Iliad in its original language. I cried so hard. I dont want to expose them to words or situations I wouldnt want my own children exposed to. It gave us a bedtime routine and something to look forward to every night for several months as we made it through the whole series. Yep. Can you talk a bit about names and about what made that such a central theme for you? That idea of inheriting this new name from Jesus is pretty powerful. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some silly people believe that theres a fourth Honored and Great Subject, but those mathematicians are woefully mistaken. End Footnote. Kalmar decided he did not want to be a Wingfeather anymore and ran back to the strander territory, in hope that he could join them. Whos Your Authority? If you know someone who likes fantasy novels, recommend this review. Whether its a commentary or a childrens story, from Christology to eschatology, the Reading and Readers Podcast has a book for you. If our kids came to us and said, I need to talk to you about something, we dont go, Oh, Im paying the bills right now. That feels like a cardboard thing to me. @christi-eaton I have heard that!!!!! It is hard to make a case that Wingfeather, or any work of fiction, is Christian but Wingfeather has a Christian theological core unlike J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter or Philip Pullmans His Dark Materials. But the point is I read any story that felt like it would take me out of where I was, and allowed me to explore some other place. Andrew Peterson: We call it The Warren. The broad argument is: if you are convinced by Reinkes 7 reasons for reading non-Christian books as supported by John Calvin, Martin Luther, the early church fathers, and his interpretation of the Bible and your conscience is not violated when you read popular culture books and movies, then you have slayed the dragon in the room. To me, its like asking whether Abraham was a Christian. I actually (*ahem*) read ahead by accident (it's a bad habit) and found out that Janner died, but even knowing beforehand didn't prepare me for it. I think that thats something that America could learn from the UK. And as I thought about that, I think you do have that element to your songwriting, and its certainly there in the stories. It has that we-are-in-the-joke, laugh-together-with-me humour. And thats what makes that show feel so real, you feel the weight of it. She also befriended Janner. Avengers and Superman are god-like men. Required fields are marked *. its probably cringey, i should read over it haha, I KNOW RIIIGGGHHHTTT ARTHAM IS A PRECIOUS CINNIMON BUN WHO SHOULD BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS, i cried when janner died and im still sad over his death okay like [small sobs]. Former Fork Factory slave, Leader of Fork Factory orphans. "Janner." Sara looked at him, concerned. With gods on the screen, havent you wondered how many pastors get the question, Can a Christian watch Marvel movies? I cried, laughed so hard my stomach hurt, and know a bunch of random facts about it that no one else in my family can remember. I love that. So Im curious to hear what authors and books helped shape you and shape this series. And I didnt do it perfectly. Thats great!) BEEP. Calvin understands what we discovered in the last chapter: a cohesive biblical worldview makes it possible for us to perceive and cherish the truth we read in non-Christian books. I had this sense that Kalmar was going to make some bad choices, and that he was going to turn into a Fang, while I was writing book one. If you like the book reviews, please consider supporting. I was so devastated when Janner died. Andrew Peterson: Yeah. She and the other children helped the Kimeran rebels retake Dugtown from the fangs. But please tell me the fat guy with the two black patches on his eyes in not Podo? . Jake Meador: Well and even after Gnag is gone, theres Fangs that are like, We dont know what were supposed to do now., Jake Meador: Weve just been evil for so long, and, Jake Meador: When I was reading that to Davy Joy my wife was in the kitchen and overheard the part where one of the one Fangs is like, What if we like being evil?. Jake Meador:I laughed aloud at the barbers name in On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. At small Ohio parish, evangelization starts with a candle, The Family of God in a World Without Families, REVIEW: The Children of Men, by P.D. It starts with a g I think. If not, you will be mighty happy as the Wingfeather Animated Tales are coming smoothly underway, seriously, the poster is awesome. There you go. But then I realized, This is not the end of the story. It couldnt be the end of the story; there were too many practical considerations. Hes an even better poet. So I thought you handled it in a really true-to-life way, where youre a parent and you kind of have to push things to the side sometimes for your kids. But beware of the toothy cows. But for me, I would say that I wasnt reading the classics, I didnt have anything close to a classical education, but the Bible was always there. The Wingfeather Saga is coming to life as a breathtaking, multi-season TV show, thanks to the 8,000+ Angel Investors helping us raise five million dollars. But it happens with other characters too. MY NAME IS CHILD OF GOD AND I AM LOVED., I definitely picked up on that allegory as well, @inkling-for-christ. Do you know what this reminds me of? Frodos ring. ENFP - "One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane.". And that was very common for most of the history of western literature. I think Philip Pullman said it. I think in a pre-social media age, a pre-television age, peoples attention spans were longer than ours are now, so their reading of scripture was probably a lot richer, even if they didnt believe it. This I think is the first time Ive read of a death more of a sacrifice that mirrors the cross. But to any readers who may have stopped reading them because of that, I say Stick with it: the payoff is worth it. Andrew Peterson understands Story. @anne-of-lothlorien,@zoe-wingfeather,@christi-eaton,@gretald. I want to start by asking about some of the stories that were contributing to the leaf mould for you, as you were writing and coming up with characters and the plot line. Andrew Peterson: Im a four on the Enneagram, if that helps. Theres a specific reason unique to Bonifer that Bonifer goes bad. I help you decide whether to get the book for free or to buy it if you missed the offer. So the easy way out is to make the parents oblivious. I just realized your tag!!!!! If we meet any Fangs, I want you women to be safe. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: The Wingfeather Saga Book 1 at the best online prices at eBay! Davy Joy wasnt a fan, but I thought it was right. Smith. Our family discovered the books when he did the read-alouds in 2020. Peterson likes to mix things up in his stories and his career. They pray to the Maker. No, because there was no Christ. It was this little world that I didnt know how to talk about. Reinke lists seven benefits of reading non-Christian books. He sighed, then limped back to his corner. A Christian Guide to Reading Books by Tony Reinke. But he can't. He is stuck in this backward village called Glipwood. So gratifying to hear you both discussing Tolkien and Lewis in relation to Wingfeather I had intuited a lot of this influence but this took me a lot deeper. Its like a cheap version of conflict. answer choices . I will wholeheartedly agree! The Dragon Day Festival. Culture, politics, and religion for those who love words. What was the building Maraly Weaver jumped from when she tried to help Gammon Felda in Dug town, when he was being chased by the fangs? The books, not the movies. Great interview questions and discussion. And so, whether that means me interpreting some look or the way a friend said a thing, and then, and at midnight Im lying in bed and Ive constructed this whole false narrative about how they hate me, and how Ive ruined everything, and Why did they say that thing like that? And so it kind of makes the parents look like knuckleheads. Im going to first make a broad argument, then the narrow one. Thats a good way to put it. Okay, I just had one other question because were almost out of time. A recovering fantasy nerd, like a recovering alcoholic, struggles with wanting what he is not supposed to want. Click the button. So thats the thing, thats what I dont like when I read a lot of fantasy, is this feeling that whoevers writing this is mainly interested in taverns, and dwarves, and magic. I really didnt like the abrupt ending, though. Its one of those classic Christian songwriter conversations, I expect, which is about the legacy of Rich Mullins. Andrew Peterson: I had temptations that I struggled with from a very young age, lust and anger among other things. But when the Fangs make the first move and invade Ban Rona, the children are separated. But is Wingfeather a Christian book? Or Be Eaten, where hes had to kind of just bracket the defining fear of his entire life. Andrew Peterson: Right. I bear the Makers image, and one of the ways that plays out is that I delight in making. I couldnt cry. it struck me so hard I sat upright on the couch and cried No! while my family stared at me. Jake Meador: Okay, so this is circling back around to the Gnag thing, a little bit. Gnag the Nameless sent an army of Fangs across the Sea of Darkness, to conquer Skree but Skree itself was not the main goal. I was also reading some Stephen King stuff, against my parents wishes, and I would literally crawl under my bed to read Stephen King novels, in order to get away with it. Since Gnag the Nameless had conquered the free lands of Skree, the Fangs had occupied all the towns, exacting taxes and being nasty to the free Skreeans. Or Be Eaten is a welcome feast of levity--and clearly a labor of love. Because there will most likely be spoiler alerts this thread, and you DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT want those for Wingfeather. Every month, I review Faithlifes Free Book of the Month and while waiting for the next free book, I pick a book that tickles my fancy. Currently depressed because I can't stop listening to sad musicals. Janners brother, Tink, discovers a map that shows the location of the Jewels of Anniera. Martins Game of Thrones, Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, Warhammer are pagan or godless worlds. There is no running away from home in this book. Instead of being fanged, she was forced to work in the Fork Factory. Or is it okay if I just dont watch the ones with Thor?. They live in a world called Aerwiar, which is exactly like our worldexcept they dont have electricity or gunpowder, and there are all sorts of creepy animals, like sea dragonsand toothy cows. The sadness in the ending is the beauty. It doesnt do anybody any good to make a straw man out of evil. Jake Meador: So I want to circle back to the thing about figuring out why Gnag the Nameless wanted to destroy the world, because I had questions about that too, but before we get there, I wanted to continue with the question about whats driving these characters, what do they care about. Fortunately, the epilogue makes it better by implying that Kalmar has found a way to bring him back to life. But that moment, where I was like, Ooh, their story isnt over yet led to what I love the most about the whole story, which was the ending, the last-last part. Reinke enlists the approval of John Calvin, Martin Luther, Leland Ryken, Paul of Tarsus, the early church fathers: Basil of Caesarea and Augustine of Hippo, and the Bible itself. Jake's writing has appeared in Commonweal, Christianity Today, Fare Forward, the University Bookman, Books & Culture, First Things, National Review, Front Porch Republic, and The Run of Play and he has written or contributed to several books, including "In Search of the Common Good," "What Are Christians For?" During the Wingfeather War, Janner was taken to the Fork Factory, and he likely would have not escaped without the help of Sara. Janner and his family pray. This is my spoiler-free review of the Wingfeather Saga, by that I mean, this review covers the same material in the 15 minute animated short, which itself is a teaser for the eventual full series. In Amazon, the four books have an average rating of 4.9 stars by 8000+ reviewers. The first to join her was Borley, a boy from the Linnard Woodlands. With Bonifer, though, theres actually this backstory that helps us understand his transformation. Then, while we wait for the release of the next free deal, I review another piece of Christian literature. Below is the way I described it to another wingfeather friend of mine. This was my first attempt at writing, so I can look back and see myself slowly figuring out how it worked as the books were written. The most popular anti-book is YouTube. The remaining orphans traveled to Anniera, which had just been restored. The maker told kal hed know. : Notes on Ideology and Enemies, Meritocracy, the Wingfeather Saga, and Civility - Front Porch Republic, New animated series 'The Wingfeather Saga' teaches Christian values in an epic fantasy world - FISM TV, New animated series The Wingfeather Saga teaches Christian values in an epic fantasy world ReviewLocate : Books , Book Reviews And More, Navigating the Scylla and Charybdis: Paul Ramsey and Contemporary Political Theology. The Green Ember, Green Ember Archer and Tales of Old Natalia by S.D. I cried when they found each other, and then Artham realized they were flying and spinning in the air. Notice that Leeli is 8 and Janner is 12 which coincidentally is the reading age of this book, 8-12 years old. Jake Meador: Because shes going to be eight soon, and so were holding off on the later Harry Potter books. Jake Meador: Thats helpful. I quote: But that morning when I was nineteen on the hillside in East Tennessee, things were different. There are no angels. But they just keep fighting anyway. By putting Wingfeather together with Marvel and DC, this might make it kosher for Christians. Andrew Peterson: Yeah. But he cant. Its hard to sympathize with Saruman. Its funny to me, but I get emails and comments from people that are like, Hey, so Im just curious, you have a barber in the town named J. Bird, is that a Jayber Crow reference? But I would say Harry Potter was another thing that kind of kick-started it, because those books were coming out as I was working on the Wingfeather books, and at the time, if you were a Harry Potter fan, you had this deep suspicion (that was really a deep hope) that she was going where it felt like she was going with the story, which was really a Christian story, whether or not shes a Christian herself. It can teach us wisdom and valuable moral lessons. Janner Igiby is a 12 year old boy who wants to sail the world. Sometimes Harry and Ron or Hermione are mad at each other, and youre like, Come on. In the meantime, we read Wingfeather and reflect on what that world there has to teach us of this world here. And he failed. Jake Meador: Over real darkness, not the kind of stuff thats minimized or undersold. The Wingfeather Saga is coming to life as a breathtaking, multi-season TV show, thanks to the 8,000+ Angel Investors helping us raise five million dollars. Or Be Eaten, The Monster in the Hollows, and The Warden and the Wolf King.The series chronicles the adventures and transformations of a family . Do you want the next best thing after the Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia? As for the earlier fantasy books? The Maker is good and the people trust in Him. WHERE IS YOUR ENDING? But the people pray to the Maker in a world occupied by evil Fangs, where children are carried off in the Black Carriage and Janners father, a good man, dies. Its interesting to me youre citing Revelation, because when I think about names in scripture, where my mind goes is the creation account. But in any event, thats the character. YES, THE WINGFEATHER SAGA!!!!!!!!! It takes place in the land of Aerwiar, nine years after a nameless evil named Gnag the Nameless has devastated all that is good and fair. So, I just finished the series, and I loved it. Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 222 total), https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ACmjZb4GsKDWRadYKYIMxvaJyxN_lE2GJTKSvfZjuoQ/edit?usp=sharing, How To Sneak Past Those Watchful Dragons: What C. S. Lewis Knew That We Should Know, The Doctors Daughter -March 2023 Short Story Picture Prompt Contest Winner, This topic has 221 replies, 26 voices, and was last updated. Just rest. This happens most obviously with the Fangs, when they get a new name after theyre Fanged. Thats why wedding couples exchange rings, its a symbol of the great adventure ahead of them. I was so enchanted by the story, the characters, the fights, the jokes, the challengesI feel so much like Janner. That was what I was hungry for. He said, Your child is intuiting something about the universe thats true, in that moment, and so you shouldnt be afraid of talking to them about real sin, and real darkness, and I sense the same kind of approach to how you wrote Wingfeather. I think thats utterly delightful. Hes Peet in the first two books, and hes Artham in the last two. Spoiler warning: This interview discusses the entireWingfeather Saga. Give this humble songwriter, musician, writer and stone wall builder a chance. Please? Suddenly it matters when a spaceship blows up. Your children think they are reading a story of boys and girls fighting against dragons and monsters. Because its hard to write a story where the main character can always be let off the hook by some grownup presence; by a parent who can always kind of swoop in and save them. Yeah. If you know someone who hates fantasy novels, recommend this review. It can echo spiritual truth and edify the soul. I wish he had finished it in a more final way. End Footnote. But those are, in many ways, fantasy novels, too. Janner has this wanderlust, a yearning to see the world beyond his tiny backward village. If you like this childrens book review, you might want to listen to my other childrens book review: The Green Ember series by S.D. All truth is from God; and consequently, if wicked men have said anything that is true and just, we ought not to reject it; for it has come from God. So I abandoned fantasy. And today, its a special Dragon Day Festival because for once, he is allowed to go to town to see the festival without adult supervision. The first is that when I was a kid, it was pulp fantasy, like when I was in junior high I talked my dad, who is a pastor, into letting me read this series called the Dragonlance Chronicles, which were an offshoot of Dungeons & Dragons, which was the most evil thing you could read back then. And, one of the wonderful things about storytelling is you get to see how it builds. The Dragon Day Festival. He lives in Lincoln, NE with his wife Joie, their daughter Davy Joy, and sons Wendell, Austin, and Ambrose. I was growing up in a town that I didnt fit into. Or theyre removed from their parents in some way. But the story has such gravity to it that eventually you stop thinking of names like Dumbledore as weird and funny; theyre just woven into the fabric of the world. So this goes back to something I heard someone say probably 10 or 12 years ago. "You know I can't promise that, Mama." After a pause, he glanced at Kalmar with a hint of a smile. Thanks for your support! Amazon.The Rord of the Lings by T.R.R. Terry Pratchetts Discworld. [] the Wingfeather Saga. And you get both of those things with Podo and with Nia, especially in the fourth book, I think. The kingdom has fallen. Andrew Peterson: Yeah, I remember warning the publisher that even though book one has more of a fairytale vibe, a little more Monty Python, a little more of the zaniness (which is a word that I kind of hate), it changes later in the series. I remember feeling like the story found its legs, like something was really happening, because now Janner is isolated, hes got to make his own decisions. On the surface level, he could kind of scan as a Saruman-type character: Hes this old man with white hair, whos read lots of books, hes always been at the arm of power, and hes been corrupted by it. Yay YouTube! Janner, you're hurt, so I want you in the middle. Janner tells himself he is just looking out for Tink but he enjoys every bit of the adventure. T.H.A.G.S. Water from the Small Creek. Janner's death is so moving but so, so, SO devastating. Some stories tend toand theres a place for thisthey tend to write about heroes, and theres this nobility, these aspirational characters, and I dont think thats a terrible thing to make characters that kids who read them want to be like. You might not recognise his name but you might recognise his voice. His character is vividly described in a poem written by Alma Rainwater: Anyway, I remember hearing someone, Pullman I think, say that you have to kill the parents. If you think about how in many stories, kids stories, the kids are orphans. Jake Meador: Ive not read that one, but Ive read some of his other books. Every little bit helps! They cannot see a way to conquer the bad guy. Janner Wingfeather (or Janner Igiby, the alias he and his family were hiding under during the events of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness) is the eldest son of Nia Wingfeather and Esben Wingfeather. Reading them as a Christian he evaluates: A few years ago I dug out a few of the fantasy novels I loved and found them mostly empty. I mean, he has to. Oh boy. They dont want to do their homework but this is what happens when your running away from evil is chaperoned by your mom and grandpa. To hear more of Andrew Petersons thoughts on making, read his autobiography, Adorning the Dark: Thoughts of Community, Calling and the Mystery of Making. Youve got to come up with a compelling reason for why somebody would make a terrible choice. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Donita K. Paul, author of The Vanishing Sculptor "In a genre overrun by the gory and the grim, Peterson's bite-sized chapters taste more like a stew of Gorey (Edward) and Grimm (the Brothers). Andrew Peterson: I would say that that was probably the biggest influence on anything that I would writethe constant presence of the Bible, because I grew up in this conservative church that had me memorizing Bible verses from the time I was little. I didnt care about their spaceships when they blew up. No theophanies. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THESE BOOKS AND HAVE NEVER READ THEM DO NOT READ THIS! But its really bad if youre susceptible to voices, the voice of the enemy. And so I missed the glory of what those books really were, for many years. But there were some good things about it, but the bad guy, Kenneth Branaghs character, at no point did I ever believe their reasons for why he was so bad, and at no point did I ever understand why he wanted to destroy the world. By the time I started working on The Wingfeather Saga, fantasy was only one section of my library. If you think about what prophetic speech is doing well, it is trying to kind of catch people, get their attention, help them to see this thing thats happening that is wrong, and we need to repent of it. Well what does that actually mean? For more book reviews, go to www.readingandreaders.com. Which I think a lot of moralistic Christian literature does sometimes. He does it in an almost mechanical way. Its already true, but were still growing into it, in some sense. The annoying, frustrating, kind-of-smart cliffhanger that leaves you to decide for yourself whether Janner Igiby Wingfeather comes back to life, or stays with the Maker. Having failed to look after his siblings, he ran away from home. My only consolation is that Artham and Alma Rainwater ended up together again. Without Christ, can anything be Christian? He can't go out to see the world so he enjoys the next best thing, being there when the world comes to him. He wants rest. i actually agree about the kissingkinda wanna go back over it and make it better. The thing that I loved about fantasy was always a kind of a private thing. A podcast where I review Christian books for you. The problem was theyre also filthy. Andrew Peterson: Yeah,I think thats a big one. Its disruptive of our comfort, basically, because it forces us to repent in precisely the places where were most at ease. That was when Derek was doing Mockingbird, and those kind of things, and I remember tracking with it at the time. Andrew Peterson: There is also this hope that God is making me into something, Im being conformed to Christs likeness, and in the new creation, there is this sense in scripture that we will receive this new name, this completed identity, or something.
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