Sophistry [Paperback]

Sophistry is not the author's first novel, but it is my first that I've read from his growing catalogue of work. While quite familiar with his short stories, online serials, and contributions to other collected bodies of works this is my first foray into carrying one of his works in hand. This tactile sensation that was neither mouse nor keyboard was not the only surprise in store for me as I delved into the novel.

Sophistry opens with a nameless elderly widow making a rather difficult decision in such a casual way. Its such a stark contrast to the way a much younger person would reach such a conclusion that makes you wonder what had brought her to such a point, and where this would end almost any other tale its merely the beginning.

I can't say it was an easy time of reading this story, in fact there were chapters I had to restart time and again before I could reconcile where I wanted the story and characters to go and where they actually went. This was quite frustrating until I finally allowed myself to let go of my reliance upon familiar character traits and story twists to safely navigate the tale and simply let the novel play out without fear or expectation.

Even with being familiar with similar tales spun by Milnestein, to take on a complete long form story such as this was rather humbling. Concepts and mythologies I was only half familiar with were fully expanded here, and thoroughly explained then promptly turned and twisted by the machinations of Sophistry's historical, mythical, and fictional cast.

What does a city dream of? I asked myself and I thought 'Well, the lives of its citizens.' And Sophistry offers quite a different answer to that, at least when it comes the City of London, a city scarred by Conquest and War. Religion, Responsibility, and Faith all come to be questioned and mulled, plied and traded by the players on both sides of the conflict presented.

The Widow's Journey hinges on a long forgotten promise remembered solely by a discarded stuffed bear she chanced upon the night a great calamity befell London. In answer to this a King rose up and restored order and peace through decisive acts of tyranny in the wake of the terrible devastation of the once great City. Now many decades have passed as the Widow, having lived a long life following the tragic events, marches forth with a rather animated childhood toy Bear and London itself empowers her to slay the King ending his reign.

Chapter by chapter the author puts each of the characters through a series of haunting and terrible situations with lessons and questions regarding the nature of Ruling over others and the stark contrast between Religion and Personal Faith. Real historical figures and mythological creatures that are wrapped up in London's rich, deep history serve as both teachers and obstacles the Widow must match wits and or overcome in preparation of her confrontation with the King.

Once I reached the Epilogue of the tale I had to resist starting it once again, taking the conclusions I and the Widow reached, and winnow the truth from London's Dreams. I can honestly say I was not the intended audience for such a novel but I appreciated the nuances of the tale and internal debates it sparked within me.