perelgut@utai.UUCP (Stephen Perelgut) (12/29/85)
Brokedown Palace Steven Brust Ace Fantasy, 1986 (paperback) This book is a 270 page Hungarian fairy tale. It isn't really fantasy (in the science fiction/fantasy meaning), and it sure isn't science fiction. It is a really good fairy tale. The story is about 4 brother's, one of whom has become King of a land with a rich and beautiful background. The problem is, the Palace is falling apart (brokedown, get it). And the King can't stand to have anyone tell him it is falling apart. The youngest brother insists upon calling it as he sees it. The middle two waver. Most of the book deals with the inherent conflict and the love of the brothers for each other even when at odds with each other. There are some subplots that are probably worth discussing. On my scale of -4 to +4, I'd give this book a +3. I'd be tempted to give it a +4 if I could figure out why some facets are included. They seem gratuitous, but yet I can't shake the feeling that they're somehow "important". Points I'd like to see discussed <possible spoiler???> What exactly was Mariska, and why was she so important? " " " " Brigitta " " " " " " " ? Why did Brigitta have to leave in the end, and why bother us with that little detail? Was Devera somehow the daughter of Miklos and Brigitta? -- Stephen Perelgut Computer Systems Research Institute, University of Toronto