I finally got around to watching "The Secret of Kells," the animated feature from Cartoon Saloon. It was recently added to the Netflix Instant Queue and several Druid friends were recommending it on the ADF mailing list.
The story is about Brendan, a young brother in the Abbey of Kells in Ireland. His uncle, the Abbot, forbids Brendan from leaving the abbey and insists that he helps fortify the walls in preparation for the impending Viking raids. When the illuminator, Brother Aidan, arrives with his cat and unfinished manuscript, Brendan is suddenly encouraged to explore his more creative side and pay more attention to the natural world - which Aidan claims can teach more than any book. When asked to fetch an ingredient for ink, Brendan encounters the wolf spirit Aisling who befriends and helps him throughout the story.
Despite the presence of Christianity, the Pagan world is still alive in "The Secret of Kells." The Vikings are referred to as Pagans (which they were at this time). On some levels, the portrayal of the Vikings was unfortunate as they were shown as dark, almost infernal monsters. As they invade, one of them slashes through a cross - a scene that even made me sit up. One must remember, though, that the Irish probably saw the invaders as monstrous. Cromm Crúaich, a dubious Irish deity, is also in the film. There is mention of him in Irish lore - mostly in association with St. Patrick. Cromm is known for demanding the sacrifice of children for a good harvest. He is a very negative, demonic being in "The Secret of Kells." He's portrayed as a snake who, once dealt with, is drawn as an ouroboros - one of many spiraling symbols in the movie. What could be a negative portrayal of Paganism is balanced by the sidhe Aisling. She is the protector of the forest, a shape-shifter who, while friendly with Brendan, is also a hunter and a killer as a wolf. Aisling, to me, represents one of the best portrayals of a Pagan deity in modern culture. She is mischievous, powerful, and ageless yet benevolent to the deserving, and possessing of her own faults and weaknesses.
The animation was stunning. You will see triquetras and spirals in the forest that will make you gasp. The Celtic knots are just amazing. The cat, Pangur Bán, is transformed into a spirit that looks like a feline Celtic knot. The Book of Kells is brought to life at the end with exquisite detail and love.
I highly recommend this movie to anyone who loves Ireland, mythology, or a good story. There are possibly some frightening scenes for children, so I recommend that parents watch it first if you're uncertain. If your child wasn't bothered by Disney's "The Princess and the Frog," he or she will probably love "The Secret of Kells." If you're concerned that your son or daughter will come away from the film with a poor impression of the Vikings, make sure to expose them to "How to Train Your Dragon" for a more positive representation.
( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )
May your harvest be plentiful, your strength be true, and your company great!
May the sun shine warm upon you and may your August be filled with joy!
Here, enjoy this lovely ditty by Omnia. It should get you into the mood.
"Lughnasadh" by Omnia
Also, for your viewing and listening pleasure, a song from the infamous "Wicker Man." Weretoad thinks it's strange that I find enjoyment from the movie, what with its murder and misrepresentation, but I do so love the music. While listening to the latest edition of A Darker Shade of Pagan, I heard a familiar tune. Where did I hear that before? I googled the name and, sure enough, it was one of those lovely pieces from "The Wicker Man" - "Corn Rigs" by Magnet.
I will post later about my Lughnasadh, complete with photos of the Tailtiu doll.
( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )
I saw Christopher Nolan's latest film "Inception" with some of my tribe on Friday. It was an amazing film complete with an intricate and fascinating plot, gasp-worthy special effects, and a riveting soundtrack*. One thing that kept striking me were the similarities between the concepts of traveling into dreams in the film and the beliefs/teachings/experiences Pagans and such ilk have in meditation, trance, astral travel, and/or lucid dreaming. I'll just bullet a few.
The characters in the movie had personal totems that only they held and touched. The intimate knowledge of the totem would help its owner determine whether or not they were in the dream world. Many people who try to "cross the veil" have totems, charms, or talismans for protection, the facilitation of psychic abilities, a connection to "reality," etc...
"Inception" used architects, or highly imaginative, visual, and spacial thinkers who constructed dream worlds. This is similar to the belief of many that safe houses/circles/groves/etc can be constructed in the Otherworld, or that your will can manipulate it with enough focus.
Dreams are dangerous places. In "Inception," a person's subconscious projections or memories can become hostile. There are dangers in the Otherworld too. Some Pagan authors, like Paxson, even suggest a practitioner go through therapy before beginning to trance** due to possible projections.
Cobb, Arthur, Ariadne, and company travel into dreams together as they all have a job and there is strength in numbers. I've heard of people astrally projecting together, into other people's dreams and the like. I've never experienced it or tried it myself but the concept is there. The casts' teamwork also reminds me of spiritual teachers or guides. Working with and developing a relationship with one is supposed to make your Otherworldly travels safer, perhaps even easier.
There's one dream scene, when Cobb is first training Ariadne*** at a cafe. He reveals to her that she's in a dream and things start to fall apart. Cobb tells her to relax, but the dream shatters. I've never been able to dream lucidly, but everything I've read about it speaks of the practitioner realizing that he or she is dreaming and using that knowledge to manipulate the dream, to seek inner information, or to connect with Otherworldly beings in the dream world.
As many of us already believe, and as is evident in the fictional world of "Inception," the dream world and what happens there is incredibly influential on this world.
The film has me thinking more about the concept of the Otherworld. What exactly is its nature? Is the dream world the same as the Otherworld? Are they connected so that one can lead to the other? Could people who achieve states of insanity or coma be stuck in such a place? If the Otherworld is really the dream world and we can manipulate it and create places there, are the fairy realms people stumble into something people made, Gods made, or the fairies made? What came first? Are we really just another island in the Otherworldly land of dreams? Interesting and complicated questions. They are the essence of many Pagan festival discussions, that's for sure!
* The song “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien," by Edith Piaf is featured which was amusing because the actress who played the French chanteuse in the biopic "La Vie en Rose," Marion Cotillard, played Mal in "Inception."
** I think anyone who has had the usual ups and downs of life should be fine, especially if ones talents are average and one has minimal danger of getting in over one's head. If something really nasty showed up in trance, then perhaps... but unless you have an unsettling background, I wouldn't worry. That's just my belief. As long as people can differentiate one world from the other and lead a productive life, things are peachy!
*** I loved Ariadne's character and the subtle and not-so-subtle ways that the director drew on the original myth.
(The photos are scenes from "Inception.")
( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )
From Friday to Saturday, I underwent the vigil to become an official "folk" of Muin Mound Grove along with Candee. What this means is that, along with having a history of attending the grove and a good relationship with everyone there, I am taking on more responsibility. If need be, I could be asked to lead a significant part of a ritual. I'm expected to do more for the grove. It's really exciting for me. I love everyone there and I'm proud to be a part of it. I want to do more for my Grovies of my religion in general.
Muin Mound has various traditions that are part of becoming a folk. Along with staying up until just after sunrise, we made Muin Mound pins to wear at ritual, underwent a long guided meditation, participated in a ritual, were formally welcomed during the main worship service, and watched the Wicker Man.
Now, I'd never seen the Wicker Man before. It's not the sort of film my parents would have had around the house. It also has the reputation as a horror film and, for all my recent posts about ghosts and zombies, I don't often watch such things. When I found out what becoming a folk entailed, I decided to put off watching it until my vigil.
Why is the Wicker Man part of our vigil tradition? Well, it's a hugely popular movie in the Neo-Pagan community. Everyone seems to rave about it. Groups are even organizing Rocky Horror-like parties where people watch the movie and sing along to the beautiful songs. I suppose we watch it because it's become such a huge part of our Pagan culture and to become so involved in said culture is to experience its art*.
So what did I think of it?
Let me just get it out right now and say that I didn't enjoy the end. If you've never seen the movie, look away right now. Did the uninitiated leave? Ok, good. Now, the movie is called The Wicker Man because, at the end, the investigator, who also happens to be a virgin Christian, is sacrificed to the Gods by being burned alive (along with various animals) to ensure the fertility of the land. The residents of the all-Pagan island of Summer Isle, known for their apples, had a poor harvest the year before and wanted to give a really large sacrifice to aid them. Now, I always knew this was going to happen because of the movie's reputation and my background knowledge. Julius Caesar wrote about the Gauls use of wicker men but, other than that literary blurb, no other evidence for the practice exists. We know that the Celts did sacrifice people and animals, but the wicker man method was either incredibly rare, a one-time event, or a rumor that Caesar noted/created.
The film, over all, did not meet my definition of a horror film. It simply did not "horrify" me until the very end. I'm sure it's more horrible to Christians who are easily offended by nudity, sex, and polytheism. I spent most of the film giggling at the protagonist's discomfort (or growling at his rudeness) and wishing that I lived on an island of Pagans.
And this brings me to why I didn't like the end. As stated, I know our ancestors sacrificed animals and people to the Gods. I don't feel that we have to do that any more. Our society has evolved and, while I know some people still maintain such practices, I feel that we are in an age that requires less killing and destruction. We ravage our environment enough. We kill too many factory farmed animals. We have too many hungry humans in the world to justify killing animals to use up other important resources like grain and water. Human sacrifice is now murder and animal sacrifice is now arguably unsustainable. A better sacrifice to the Gods in this day and age would be to give up something you worked hard on, or, better yet, an environmentally damaging practice that is convenient to you (I could do more of this). There's also giving up time for community service. There are many types of sacrifice and all are appropriate, in my opinion. If you really feel that the Gods desire blood, put a razor to your own fingers. If you must offer an animal, buy an animal to feed an unfortunate family in the name of your Gods.
Some people giggle at the sacrifice of the Christian at the end. Me... I was uncomfortable with it. In the modern sense, it was a murder. The Pagans of Summer Isle claim that he was a willing sacrifice because he came to the island by his own free will, but that isn't so. They tricked him and then sabotaged his means of escape. I worry that many Pagans love the film because of their own bitterness towards Christianity. As much as the religion makes me uncomfortable, I know too many good Christian people.
Now, I know that most Pagans wouldn't dream of doing an actual wicker man. Most are level-headed enough to know that such practices are best left to ancient history. Hopefully most are aware that The Wicker Man is fictitious and that modern groups just don't do that (knock on wood).** After watching it with some of my grove mates, we had a brief conversation about how it was fictitious. I think the key to Pagans watching and enjoying the movie is that it must be followed by discussion because it can be educational and inspirational. When showing it to new Pagans or the highly impressionable, it should be prefaced in some way so as to cushion the blow.
Ending aside, I actually really liked the movie. A level-headed person should know that it's all fiction and that it's not an accurate portrayal of modern Pagans (Are any movies?). The music was beautiful. I was familiar with a majority of it. Damh the Bard does an excellent cover of "Gently Johnny," and Mediaeval Baebes produced a playfully melodic "Maypole Song." Also present was the traditional "Sumer is a Cummin In" that I so loved from MVPN's Beltaine rituals.
Mediaeval Baebes' "Summer Isle (The Maypole Song)."
In the end, and after a night to think about it, I really did enjoy "The Wicker Man." The ending made me uncomfortable, but that is the point of horror films, I suppose. Even though the movie wasn't much of a horror film otherwise, it gave me something to reflect upon. "The Wicker Man" can be a useful educational tool, is fun to watch as a fictional piece***, and has a lovely soundtrack. I think I would like to add it to my DVD collection.
*I say this is Pagan art because I've read that the crew consulted with Pagans for ideas and traditions.
** My brain would explode if someone showed up for a Beltaine rite with an animal to put in a wicker man. "But I thought that's what you guys did!" Oh that would be so weird...
*** ...as opposed to a basis for practice or belief.
The sky is overcast and it's a little windy out. It rained earlier. I wish it would storm. I haven't experienced a good storm in I don't know how long. You know? The loud kind that causes lights to go out and everyone gathers in one room to cuddle in blankets while listening to the majesty of nature? I'd love one of those...
Now if it were to happen tonight, I would like my husband to be home from work so I can cuddle with him under a blanket.
I love storms but I don't feel like I have any real connection to storm spirits or Gods*. At least not in my hearth culture. Whenever I hear thunder, my thoughts first turn to Thor - not to Taranis. I don't feel any pull to the Gaulish deities, actually. My husband has this "thing" with Thor. I say it like that because he doesn't worship him or necessarily consider him real**. To Weretoad, Thor is an entity (mythical, fictional, or real) to be admired. He bonds with him through comics like Marvel's "Thor" or Eric Evensen's "Gods of Asgard***." My husband thinks Thor is "cool" but in a distant way and I so dig it.
Weretoad is agnostic but we actually have more spiritually in common than most think. For example, I'm pretty agnostic about some things - like the afterlife - and we are both animistic to some degree (although he doesn't label himself as such). Needless to say, my agnostic, semi-animistic Thor fanboy gets along quite well with myself and other ADFers most of the time.
There was a time I worried about our religious differences. I wish I could go back and whisper in my younger self's ear about how compatible we really are, how we're happily married, and how I can't wait for a thunderstorm so that the two of us can cuddle up and think about the amazing Thor throwing Mjöllnir around****.
*Really, my life is more consumed in art and study, so the patrons I have are very fitting! I'm not complaining at all. :)
**Nor does he consider him unreal.
*** "Gods of Asgard" is very good. I'm not as well-read on Norse mythology, but from what I know it seems in tune with the lore.
**** We both grinned giddily when Mjöllnir appeared after the credits ran for Ironman 2. :P
[ For my LJ friends, please visit me at: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ ]
Gods, I still need to see the first one! I know, I know... I'm horrible. I'm a huge "Labyrinth" fan and I adore the Frouds. Brian's drawings are amazing and Wendy's dolls have always inspired me. I'm so relieved that they're using puppets instead of CG for the characters. I would have vomited if it were otherwise. There's something very magical about the puppets.
Gus diZerega, Pagan blogger on Beliefnet, posted a list* of what his readers believe to be the worst cinematic (or television) portrayals of Pagans - specifically the much maligned witch. It was an interesting read. "Hocus Pocus" was one of the top worst offenders. Although I completely agree with the argument, it's still a favorite movie of mine. I love the singing and the over-the-top witches. It's just a fun story.
I'm ashamed to say that I have yet to see the original (or the remake) of "The Wicker Man." I'm saving that for Muin Mound. Apparently it's a tradition to watch it after initiation into the grove! I've also yet to see "The Craft." My hubby owns it, so one of these days... I never really got into "Buffy", mostly because I didn't have cable. Someone commented about the character Willow and how she was "dismissive of Wiccans as: 'Bunch of wanna blessed be's. Nowadays every girl with a henna tattoo and a spice rack thinks she's a sister to the dark ones.'" Yes it's a fictitious story, and real magic as we know it is not so spectacular on the movie screen, but it's annoying all the same. And really, 'the dark ones'? Give me a break! I tend to write off anyone who uses that sort of ignorant, goth-tinted language. I've never seen "Charmed," however I must say I'm always extremely annoyed when someone sees my triquetra tattoo or necklace and thinks I'm a fan, as if the symbol came from the show!
At the same time, one has to have a sense of humor. Like I said, "Hocus Pocus" remains a favorite of mine, in part because it is so over the top and makes no references to Wiccans or people who actually practice Paganism. There's also a wicked little part of me that thinks, if I was going to be some sort of supernatural bad girl, I'd want to be like that. ** And how many Christians find various church-bashing Monty Python skits hilarious? Most can't help but crack a grin because there is a grain of truth there. Perhaps it's the same with negative Pagan portrayals. The characters represent what some in our community have deluded themselves into thinking is real or possible because they have no concept of reality in this plane/dimension/world/existence. Some Pagans are, for lack of a better term, bat shit crazy. Some really do see the world through purely dark or purely sparkly white lenses.
So what do you think are some of the best portrayals of Paganism in modern entertainment? For my readers who are not Pagan, what are the best and worst portrayals of your religion?
*For my lj friends: http://blog.beliefnet.com/apagansblog/2010/03/the-worst-movie-depicting-witches-and-other-pagans.html
** For the record, I don't really want to be that way. I'm just saying. It would be cool to (temporarily) change people into cats though.
The following is my attempt at a review of "How to Train Your Dragon." There may be some spoilers between the stars.
***
Hubby and I went to see "How to Train Your Dragon" this afternoon. We both enjoyed it a lot. Now, part of this is because I've always liked dragons. I've also always found Vikings to be incredibly fascinating. So I'm a little biased! But in addition to dragons and Vikings, the story and animation was spectacular! Rather than relying on goofy pop culture references that will lose their humor generations later, "Dragon" had a timeless quality and lovable, organically humorous characters. The environment was so lush, and Toothless, the dragon, was adorable. I'm aware that such an adjective is a little strange to use with a dragon, but it's the best word. He reminded me of one of our cats; hilarious and feisty at the same time.
Although the portrayal of Viking life was probably quite inaccurate* (it's not my area of specialty), I thought it was a positive portrayal of polytheism. The Vikings said little prayers to Odin and I think I even heard Thor's name. Hiccup, the protagonist, said something about "Gods." It's nice that the creators showed the Vikings as regular Pagans just trying to live and maintain the security of their little island - decent Pagans rather than the shifty, unscrupulous Pagans presented in the 3D version of "Beowulf."
There was also, I will argue, a subtle environmental theme. The the beginning, the Vikings conquered the wilds which were the dragons. In the end, the road to peace for everyone was through an intimate, symbiotic relationship. The dragons were occasionally referred to as pets, but they were really treated as friends and equals in the end. Relationships like that are possible with horses, cows, and the very Earth Mother herself. We need to return to that or else our own dragons, in the form of environmental change, will threaten us further.
***
I highly recommend the film. It's quickly become one of my favorites. I give this movie five out of five prosthetic dragon fins!
* I have recently learned that Vikings probably didn't wear horned helmets, for instance. I'm also very curious how accurate the runes in the story were!
I finally got around to seeing the film version of Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. I really enjoyed the book. In fact, the whole series was enjoyable to the point where I couldn't put it down, each book successively more enjoyable than the last. I finished all of the books in about a month. I loved the characters, and the author, Rick Riordan, obviously knew his mythology. If I ever have children, I will share these books with them as they are great introductions to polytheism.
The film version, directed by Chris Columbus (the same director for some Harry Potter films), was kind of a let-down in that it was so different. Sure the basic themes were there:
1) A coming of age story about a kid who discovers he's the son of Poseidon.
2) Absent parents often leave children feeling insecure.
3) The Gods are still around and influencing our culture.
However, the story was really different. For starters, simple yet important plot elements were never discussed. An unfamiliar audience may not realize that Percy's sword/pen is supposed to return to his pocket no matter what. It was never explained *why* Olympus was in NY City rather than Greece. Clarrise wasn't there at all. Neither was Dionysus! Even Grover's life goal, something incredibly important to later books, was left out.
Grover seemed like a vastly different character. He was my favorite in the books. He was insecure, always hungry, and was very concerned with the environment. He was funny because he was geeky and adorably awkward (for a Satyr). In the movie he was reduced to the wise-cracking side-kick who occasionally "maaa-ed" and ate a can. Although Grover had an eye for the nymphs in the books, he didn't act like a playboy. I also can't imagine Grover dancing on state to Lady Gaga's "Poker Face."
Which brings me to the major plot change. Ares doesn't show up *at all*. The half-bloods don't even go on an official quest given by the oracle - they run away. Chronos has nothing to do with it. The Titans are mentioned ever-so-briefly in a museum but, otherwise, everything gets blamed on poor old Hades. Now, in the books, Hades isn't exactly the nicest guy, and he does desire a paradigm shift, but he wasn't made to look like the Christian Satan and he didn't want a war. In the movie, Hades first appears looking like a molten Chernabog from Disney's "Fantasia." WTF?! Hades is *never* described like that in the novels let alone Greek mythology. He later appears in a more human form - albeit dressed like some sort of punk rocker (lol). In the movie, Persephone was with Hades. In fact, they changed the entire plot so that the kids were looking for "Persephone's pearls" spread all over the US, left for would-be boyfriends to find as a gateway into the Underworld. First of all, this takes place in the spring and summer - Perseophne isn't supposed to be in Hades then! The pearl thing?! Where did they pull that from?! Why couldn't they have stuck with the original plot of the book?! Changes like that make me so angry.
Plot aside, it was fun to see the characters brought to life. The satyrs and centaurs looked amazing. But there were so many things missing... I would have liked to see Clarrise. She's an interesting character, especially later in the series. Annabeth (in the movie) seems to be a combination of her book counterpart and Clarrise, the warlike daughter of Ares. I was *really* looking forward to seeing Dionysus only to be disappointed. He's so grumpy and (to me) lovable in the books. I was let down by his absence as camp director.
If you haven't read the books, you may still enjoy the movies (plot holes aside). The children in the audience definitely liked it. My husband heard one exclaim "This is the best movie ever!" Maybe s/he doesn't get out much? It was entertaining but, if you're really curious about Percy Jackson, I recommend the books.
Eating local has become an important goal for me. My husband and I watched Food Inc. I had been meaning to watch it for months but ...oh you know how that goes. Anyway, it was really well-done. Much was not a surprise or I already knew about it, but there were plenty of "woah" moments for me. Those who know me know that my husband and I are vegetarians for environmental and ethical reasons. I often think I'm a bit more liberal about it than my husband in that I'm always quick to tell people that I'm not anti-hunting or against small, sustainable, humane meat farms. A lot of people expect a barrage of anti-meat talk from me and, though I do consider vegetarianism to be one of the best environmental approaches at the moment, I understand that some people really don't want to or, in some cases, physically can't. Long story short, this documentary isn't anti-meat - it's anti-factory farming and anti-fast food. There were very few gory scenes of slaughter if any at all. There was definitely some footage of the animals' living conditions (toned down - most factory farms won't let just anyone wander in) and some food processing footage. So "icky scenes" shouldn't be a concern.
Anyway, the movie reinvigorated my desire to eat locally. As much as I miss my old stomping ground, there are an abundant number of small, local farms who participate in markets and will sell you meat, eggs, and, in some rare cases, milk from their own cows.
But it's getting to be the end of January! It's cold! What could possibly be in season right now?
Well, according to Sustainable Table there are several things! All thanks to "hothouses" and storage, apples, cabbage, carrots, onions, potatoes, turnips, and winter squash are in season. That's a lot of stew and soup! And mixed with dried legumes.... mmmm!
"Moving Meditation" has been something I've heard more and more about this past year. I've read various articles about it and the luck some have with it over more traditional/stereotypical forms - still meditations, if you will. Sitting quietly and letting my mind alternate between quieting and exploring have always worked well for me except for when I'm wound up, tired, or angry. The first time I really tried a walking meditation was at the Mohawk Valley Pagan Network's "Workshop Day" in the summer of '09. The welcoming and patient Seraphoenix lead a workshop on labyrinths. It included some basic history and lore, construction ideas, modern uses, and a walkthrough. Although I never reached any depth of being or had any visions, I was able to still my mind very easily. I was too focused on my feet and where I was going to think of anything else. I was feeling congested that day and was amazed at my sudden ability to "clear my mind" without having to focus on my breath - a truly annoying task when one has a cold.
The next time I tried a labyrinth was at the CNY Pagan Pride Day in Liverpool, NY. They set up a simple labyrinth using small posts placed in the grass. One could walk it at any time of the day which was very convenient. I really enjoyed it and hope to see it at a future PPD.
Today I was listening to music and suddenly found myself engaging in what I've realized to be my favorite form of moving meditation - dancing. Only I've never danced this way before. Usually my dance moves are inspired by pop music, tribal fusion, and belly dance. Oh and I've got a little Beatles head wobble and Cotton Eye Joe too. :P But tonight... I just... I let go completely and just ... threw my body around? I suppose that makes it sound violent which it wasn't. I was just literally dancing like nobody was watching and throwing myself into a very tribal sounding piece by a favorite band of mine called Faun. The song was Lynansa and it has a pulsing, chanting energy that made my body want to jerk forward and backwards while simultaneously swaying from right to left. The repetitive motion very nearly took me somewhere else - until I realized what was happening. I HATE that! It happens so often to me lately! Whenever I'm just about to break into a deep trance or, perhaps, astrally project, my body snaps out of it. It's frustrating... However I must be optimistic and admit a minor victory in that I think I truly felt what it meant to trance dance.
It was also an amazing workout...
In other news, I rather liked this top-5 list of best environmental films! Enjoy!
A month or so ago, an upcoming movie was brought to my attention - "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief." The plot sounded interesting and I'm a sucker for anything involving mythology. Although I consider myself a liberal Celtic Reconstructionist and NeoDruid, Greek mythology will always have a special place in my heart. It was what I was first exposed to. Indeed, my favorite Saturday Morning Cartoon was a series of animated Greek myths!
When I found out that the movie was based on a book I decided to find it and read it. I'm a bit out of touch with juvenile fiction. As an English major I was far too busy reading old classics to have time to read anything else! When I had free time to read what I wanted, I found myself reading history and NeoPagan studies. As a college grad with some time on my hands, I decided to give it a try and I'm glad I did.
The first book, which shares the movie title, follows the adventures of Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon, and his friends as they race to recover Zeus' stolen thunder bolt to its rightful owner in order to prevent a massive war. The book, in my opinion, is Harry Potter meets American Gods. There is a world of mortals and a world of Gods, monsters, and Godlings or half-Gods. This classification is the witch/wizard and muggle world of Harry Potter, I suppose. The Godlings even have a special place to go in the summer called "Camp Half-Blood" where they learn to be better heros (because that's what people with divine parents naturally become!). It reminds me of Gaiman's wonderful book because the Gods are very much alive, interacting with the mortal world, and have modern touches. Poseidon, for instance, wears a beach shirt and his throne looks like a fisherman's chair. Whimsical touches like that really make the book enjoyable.
The colloquial first-person narration was, at times, annoying, but that could stem from the fact that I generally don't read juvenile fiction. I did get used to it but there were times when it was a bit jarring. The story was fun but some elements were predictable (or didn't add up to the mythology I studied in college - but most of it was really well done). That said, I can't wait to read the next one! It was a relaxing and enjoyable read. I can definitely see myself reading it to any children I have.
