The Laughing Side of the World The Latter Annals of Lystra Book 9 edition by Robin Hardy Religion Spirituality eBooks
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Having abdicated the throne of Lystra in favor of his adopted son, Henry, Ares travels to the monastery/leprosarium he had established, the Sanctum. Ares has heard disturbing reports that the Master of the Sanctum has converted it to his own private domain. Not to be left behind, Nicole follows.
With the cooperation of Nicole and the Second Oswald, Ares acts as poltergeist to the Master’s rule at the Sanctum. But when Henry’s sister Renée misplaces some property, she goes to the Sanctum to recover it—and there discovers who is fomenting rebellion against the young Surchatain.
The Laughing Side of the World is Book Nine, the final book of The Latter Annals of Lystra. Note “A Lystra Retrospective,” being image-heavy, is found only in the print edition of this book.
Robin Hardy is the author of the Annals of Lystra, the Latter Annals of Lystra, the Streiker Saga, the Sammy Series, The Idecis, Padre and its sequel, His Strange Ways, and Unknown Name, Unknown Number A Wimsey Reade Mystery. She is also the editor of W.W. Melton’s classic devotional, Sifted But Saved.
The Laughing Side of the World The Latter Annals of Lystra Book 9 edition by Robin Hardy Religion Spirituality eBooks
This is book 9 in Robin's series of the Latter Annals of Lystra...if you haven't read the other 8 don't miss out! I found myself sobbing in the end, having to say goodbye to the characters who have consumed me for months. The "pan-out" in time at the end was an especially interesting and creative touch. These characters are a part of me now; I will read these books over and over! Robin, thank you for sharing your gift!Product details
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The Laughing Side of the World The Latter Annals of Lystra Book 9 edition by Robin Hardy Religion Spirituality eBooks Reviews
After some months, I finally bought myself around to reading this book which is the final title in the Latter Annals of Lystra series, and with some relief at finally finishing the series. The blurb, as with some of the other titles in the series does not provide and entirely accurate appraisal of some figures and events as the `property' Renee has `mislaid' is actually her fourth and latest husband who went to the monastery when he realised they were not legally married, relishing the chance to escape from her clutches. The description of him as her `property' is particularly apt however, as, like all her other husbands before, she lords over him and treats him with utter contempt like her personal sex slave or her misbehaving pet dog (only without the affection and care an owner would extend to such an animal.)
As with the other novels several of the character go under assumed identities and have to use cunning or deception to outwit their enemies, or in Renee's case using usual device of sex to get information out of them. The villain, an evil and corrupt monk named Manworren was at least an interesting character, though perhaps a little unoriginal and as with most of the other baddies before in the series, seemingly not very bright. The one positive I might mention is that this novel did not seem quite so anachronistic and historically far-fetched as the others and more on line with the medieval setting. This said, the inclusion of numerous obscure terms for food could give the impression that the author was `showing off' to a certain extent.
As another reviewer pointed out, the rebellion which is the central focus of the plot seems to have come out of nowhere, and to me it seemed that the disaffection of most the nobles involved in was baseless. Indeed, most of them were very minor characters some of whom seemed to be new, and others who are scarcely mentioned in previous novels. So that it almost gets to the point that a reader may be left scratching their head and asking `okay who is this person again, and why are they out to kill Henry and Ares exactly?'
Also, the execution of the plot was almost so simplistic as to be absurd. It involved a few armed lords attempting to kill the Henry at the dinner table in front of everyone. After all the preceding scenes in which the terrible danger to the ruler Henry and others had been emphasised, and with all the and supposedly meticulous planning, one would think that the traitors would have done something less obvious then the above, and displayed a little more initiative or intelligence.
On a personal note, I was not convinced by one other reviewer's (Deanna Julie Dodson whose novels I love, and I respect) claims that the character of Renee had begun to `change her ways'. She was as much of an arrogant, self-absorbed conceited cow as ever. As usual she was lording it over most of the other characters including those of higher status then her, abusing and humiliating those around her for no good reason, and expecting everyone to do what she wanted. I was amused and rather elated when her patsy Bonnie (the sister of the ruler's wife) actually showed some assertiveness and would not just let Renee tell her what to do. However, as was typical with such aberrations, she repented of having been so `rude' so afterwards, and happily returned to her usual status of minion.
Renee was also as much of a shameless slut as ever (in spite of some laughable talk about her so imaginary `honor') seducing Manworren to get information from him (an act which the `Christian' Nicole approves and encourages). Yet the author seemingly tries to exonerate her, and make the audience feel sympathy for her by having Manworren try to violently force himself upon her when she attempts to leave the room in the middle of the sexual act after promising to `give herself to him fully'. Given this, and her previous use of sex to get what she wanted out of men such an outcome was hardly surprising, one could almost say the inevitable consequence her amoral promiscuity, she behaves like a cheap whore, yet is shocked when men see fit to treat her like one. Also, her beauty and `feminine charms' constantly having a debilitating effect upon all the men around her is becoming rather tiresome and predictable. Are we really meant to believe that no man on earth has the ability of resisting the advances of an ageing seductress losing her beauty?
Finally, I found the depiction of Historians in the final chapter not only absurd, but personally offensive. In one place, two students visiting the ruins of the Abbey with a Professor mention how one of their other professor's said the Bible was written by Baptists in the 18th century, when no real Historian on earth would make such a ludicrous claim. The main Professor also makes unfounded and far-fetched claims, and it really seemed as though the author was deliberately seeking to depict historians as ignorant or foolish people yet arrogant people who present an inaccurate version of the past to others, yet present it as the `right' one.
Even more absurd though, was one fan's dismissal of the fictional Professor Baxter's claim that Ares and Nicole lived in the 14th century (a claim fully supported by the historical details within the novels themselves) and assertion that the series was actually set in the Ninth century on the basis of an note in the appendix about a ninth century Hungarian King who joined a monastery, who provided the basis for some fictional ruler mentioned by the characters. Yet even this ruler is implied to have lived a long time ago by the characters, so the whole basis for such historical claims is flimsy at best.
Yet this episode serves as a good example of the potential pitfalls of basing one's knowledge of history on fiction. For all the supposed arrogance and stupidity of historian which fans rally against, their belief that they `know better' because they take their knowledge from the novels carries absurdity to new heights.
The Laughing Side of the World is the ninth and final book of the Latter Annals of Lystra. As always, it's full of unusual characters and entertaining situations. This time much of the action is set in a leprosarium where things aren't as benevolent as Surchatain Ares intended them to be. Things in Westford are equally unsettled as new Surchatain Henry has to deal with the threat of rebellion and his sister Renee at least takes steps towards changing her ways. And the Bereans would be quite pleased with the end of this book.
I enjoyed it so much and hate to see this series end. And I'm so looking forward to whatever new characters and situations this author comes up with in the future. Or more of Lystra would be lovely, too. Thank you, Robin, for so many great books!
The end of Hardy's new novel completely satisfies. Seeing "Ares and Nicole" juxtaposed, I realized as I turned the last page that the names mean "war and victory" and remembered that the Christian life is depicted by the Apostle Paul as warfare. As usual, Hardy's characters, their situations, and their actions are richly suggestive, half way between allegory and symbol. For instance, at one point the embattled Ares lies down on the altar of the church to rest. The title is just right likewise. Hardy identifies it as quoted from a letter from Samuel Rutherford, in which Rutherford refers to heaven, but the term also refers to the tone of the book, which is often light-hearted and humorous. At the beginning of the book Ares and Nicole travel to the leprosarium that Ares built some years before, a place often referred to as the Sanctum, or holy place. The novel has enough conflicts to resolve for two or three novels, but Hardy ends up relating them all and completing her story. The women of the novel are especially enjoyable as Nicole (who began the series) takes the center, Sophie performs with aplomb, Bonnie sees herself as she is, and even Renée can be counted on. Finally, the entire novel is a search for truth. What better theme can one develop? I'm sorry the series is at an end, but pleased with the result. This novel is a must read for all current Hardy fans and should gain her new readers.
One thing I love about Hardy’s books is that we get to see the purpose in the hearts of her characters. Ares will always be that guy who wants to be at the front line of the conflict, taking care of things himself. Nicole will always want to be by him- a true yearning of a military wife. Renee will continue to shock us as her personality seems to never morph into a child of Ares, yet even she is a contribution to the whole in safeguarding Lystra-it does take all kinds after all. I loved how Ares is still in love with his bride and how he enables Henry to fill his shoes (but do we like it-no we do not!). If you have read the whole series, you may have balled your eyes out when either Roman or Ares is at death’s door. That said, the transition from Westford to modern day is one of my favorite pages in the whole series, as if for the first time, the author spares us some grief. Although your heart will be saved from exploding, the culmination of the story will still weigh heavy on you. As in all her books, you will continue thinking-about the characters, the ways of man, and how God works all things out-giving those who humble themselves before him “the desire of their hearts.”
This book was an amazing book. Love Robin Hardy! She is a great Christian author. I would recommend her books to anyone who likes Christian novels.
This is book 9 in Robin's series of the Latter Annals of Lystra...if you haven't read the other 8 don't miss out! I found myself sobbing in the end, having to say goodbye to the characters who have consumed me for months. The "pan-out" in time at the end was an especially interesting and creative touch. These characters are a part of me now; I will read these books over and over! Robin, thank you for sharing your gift!
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