Book Review: Encounters Unforeseen: 1492 Retold by Andrew Rowen
(Four Stars)
“The sea has protected our people from whatever lies beyond.”
A monumental effort. Deep historical research marred by modern, irrelevant speculation. The depth and detail Rowen attempts leads to so many narrative threads and point-of-view characters (often hopping from one head to another mid-paragraph) that keeping track is a challenge. Too much exposition disguised as narrative. Slow going, but worth the effort.
“The bones of the dead are food for the living.”
A strong point is the evenhanded depiction of the varied beliefs, even when the thoughts or actions seem reprehensible to modern sensitivities. Rowen doesn’t shy away from Continue reading
As a Matter of Fancy 