Wiktopher

Desert Tales

eBook

English language

Published Nov. 25, 2023 by Hundredrabbits.

5 stars (3 reviews)

Wiktopher follows the story of Lupen and Eka as they sandfin across the Soronan Desert and learn about the varied lives of its inhabitants. The book features illustrations of creatures, plants, maps and languages of the different cultures of its world. Themes include cultural identity, food preservation, community, low-tech and more.

It was written while circumnavigating the Pacific Ocean by sail, and over many summers in the Salish Sea. It was written by Rek Bell, and edited by Devine Lu Linvega. The writing is gender neutral and should be appropriate for children of 10 and up.

2 editions

Good, but be prepared for difficult language

No rating

Pretty good read. A bit hard to get into because there's just so much jargon and local dialect, but once you've finally started to get into the flow (it took me a few chapters), the rhythm of the story does take hold and it's enjoyable.

This is less a plot or character driven story so much as a worldbuilding driven one. The desert and its people are the star of the show here, more than the travellers Lupen and Eka. That's not a bad thing, but you should be prepared for that if you plan to read the book.

In terms of theme, it's pretty easy to pick out. The traditional, less automated, more humane and more connected to the land ways are best, and even well intentioned progress can become toxic if it's allowed to. Craftspeople over industry, and over runaway dogma. The story wears these themes on its …

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rated it

5 stars
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rated it

4 stars