BOY - Critic

Shaolin
Burning
Ant Sang
Harper Collins
Shaolin Burning is a graphic novel by the designer of bro’ Town, yet
in it Ant Sang has chosen to steer clear of the New Zealand humour
typical of this earlier work. Instead he explores kung fu mythology and
Chinese legends. Background knowledge on these is non-essential
and some handy notes in the back of the book provide the reader with
helpful explanations and interesting facts about China’s history. The text
is described as “a fusion of punked-up street culture and Chinese tradition”
which is indeed portrayed in a way that makes it more exciting
than the ordinary, history based graphic novel.
The plot follows the lives of a revenge-seeking “Monk Who Doubts”
and Deadly Plum Blossom, an unwanted baby who was miraculously
saved at birth by a Shaolin nun. Deadly Plum Blossom is now grown up
and is seeking out the toughest fighters around in order to prove her
skills as a fighter of her own unique form of martial arts. The “Monk
Who Doubts” also fights, but not to prove himself; he wants revenge.
The drawings often have large amounts of detail and link to each
other well with minimal plotline confusion and with helpful chapter
headings. This novel is fast moving and easy to get through but can
become confusing when it changes between storylines, although it all
intertwines at the end for a moving finale. The narrative tends to switch
between an abundance of speech and then a fast moving battle scene,
usually with a lot of blood and multiple violent deaths.
This graphic novel is perfect for anyone who is interested in Chinese
mythology or something out of the ordinary.
– Pippa Maessen
Critic 01 49
August
Bernard Beckett
Text Publishing
Editor Sarah Maessen
Books Review
New Zealand author Bernard Beckett’s latest novel is described as
a ‘philosophical thriller’. While I’m not sure that it’s quite a thriller, the
combined tension of the characters’ back stories and their current
dilemma definitely keeps you hooked. The entirety of the novel takes
place over a night in the wreck of a crashed car. Tristan and Grace are
trapped, upside down, waiting for the morning and the hope it brings
for rescue. As they wait, suffer, and stubbornly remain alive, the two
teenagers share their stories. Beckett has skilfully created a world in
which these characters come alive through their trials and slowly reveal
what has lead them to the unusual situation they find themselves in.
The war between the faithful and the heathens is over, and within
the walls of the City Grace and Tristan grow up in separate institutions.
A reasonable part of Tristan’s story consists of philosophic rhetoric as
he struggles with the concept of free will and its implications for his
faith. Without Grace’s interjections it would be easy to get caught up in
Tristan’s world as he sees it. He over-rationalises and justifies his actions
to the point that they seem more logical than they maybe are. It is
Grace’s practicality and bluntness born of a life of hardship that makes
us question what Tristan is sure of.
While Tristan is encouraged to explore Augustine’s teachings
through questioning and logic, Grace is taught that questions are sinful
and are punished harshly. Her story is sad, and like Tristan she experiences
loss and makes difficult choices.
The novel is truly thought provoking and well constructed, but at the
same time an easy, engaging read. As we switch from Tristan to Grace
and back to the present, scores of themes are touched upon, and we
begin question our own outlook on life.
– Sarah Maessen