Title: Keturah and Lord Death
Authors: Martine Leavitt
Pages: 216
Publisher: Front Street (2006)
Review:
"The right to choose is man’s great gift, but one thing is not his to choose – the time and means of death." (p. 162)
Last time I picked up Keturah and Lord Death, I finished it a few hours with a wildly beating heart and goosebumps. There has been no significant change the second time around – it’s quite determined to cause tachycardia, even three years later.
The book captures the feel of a traditional tale, complete with the morals and the hazy dream-like quality, never dropping it. Anyone who has ever attempted to write in this style will understand exactly how astonishing such a feat truly is, and love it all the more. Better still, the book shines with originality, since what makes it a beautiful tale also serves to make it an atypical novel, sparse and insightful. The strong characters will delight you, the writing will inspire you, and the plot will keep you on the edge of your seat.
There is no more to say, as any summary would take away from the story. Read this book with no preconceived notions, and merely let Keturah enchant you. To sum it up in one word: spellbinding.
