Thursday, September 1, 2016

Injustice Book Review- Swan Knight's Son by John C. Wright

Cower not, fierce readers! The inimitable Mr. Wright has graced us with a tome that calls for immediate judgement! I was initially going to place this in a quick review, fearing my skills inadequate to the task, but the Grand Inquisitor's work is such that it demands a full hearing.

Of course, the most prominent crime this book makes is that of being written by Mr. Wright. I am certain there are those in tears, collapsed in their safe spaces over the fact that he has put out yet another novel, given his Catholic faith and refusal to compromise it.  The forces of Social Justice cannot tolerate one that would defend the unborn, stand against extramarital activity, and the proper definition of marriage. This book is simply guilty by association.

My good friend Brian Niemeier has stated that this novel bears a family resemblance to the work of Mr. Neil Gaiman. That, I find to be an inadequate statement, as the work of Mr. Gaiman indeed does have a cruel and at times vicious world of faerie, yet it is also projected to have kindness and gentleness. Mr. Wright gives faerie no such mercy, but rather exposes its motives and honor to be foreign to our own. Mr. Wright also presents faerie as in service to the Lord of Darkness, ultimately, something Mr. Gaiman would not contemplate. The other matter concerning the world of faerie is that it was subdued in Mr. Wright's presentation through Christianity, and driven from the sight of men.

Another crime of Mr. Wright's is that of the assumption of the power of Christianity. I'll avoid the details, but the idea that Christianity redeems more than men is evident at a critical point, and possibly flows throughout the story(we shall see on that point with the next books).  The Christian symbolism in the sword is an excellent presentation, and of course, we know that SocJus cannot stand for militant Christianity to be presented as good in any way.

We do also see some potential lesson on when to be wise in the presentation of truth. While good and noble, there are those that cannot comprehend the fullness of it, and need a severely abridged version. After all, SocJus believes in Science! and not in Truth, and miracles have no home in the world of scientific consensus.

One small note: This book is published as a YA novel. Put aside any fears as to the possibility of a simple story; it is not here. The vocabulary and mythology employed throughout this fine text put it well within the appreciation of adults, and in fact is likely to have a fuller appreciation by adults, especially those versed in mythology and Christendom.

This book meets several lofty premises, and commits more crimes than I would attempt to list here. Mr. Wright has indeed accomplished a majestic thing here, and surpassed his other work in my estimation. 10/10 fell deeds.

When you play Social Justice, the world loses.

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