 | “You’re never too old for adventure.” So reads the back cover copy of The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fischer by E.M. Anderson, an alternative history fantasy with wizards, dragons, and an 83-year-old hero looking to escape the boredom of the nursing home. Edna Fischer, the title character, is wonderfully appealing and I rooted for her all the way. The story had tons of twists and surprises: it's a suspenseful page-turner. Yet, no matter how devastating the setbacks, Edna always finds a reason to go on, like a true hero. She is admirable, yet imperfect. And had a cast of friends to help her on her journey. |
The characters in this story are its strength--they’re so human the book feels real, despite its rollicking premise. I felt like I made friends between the pages. Edna is kind and compassionate, and woefully underprepared to fight a dragon-riding sorcerer as the Chosen One, but determined to try. She sets off with her caretaker, a gay man with a big heart and an anxiety disorder. They meet a snarky teenage runaway intent on stealing Edna’s destiny, and a handsome elf on a secret mission.
There are a lot of silly moments in the book, but also considerable pathos. As the author notes, “While it’s often humorous, the story involves loss, grief, and unresolved trauma” [including physical abuse and hazing]. These issues are handled deftly, adding depth to the overall storyline.
I had difficulty with the frequent shifts in point of view: the author slid in and out of different characters' perceptions with no discernable pattern. This "head hopping" created an omniscient-narrator effect and distanced me from the story. Though this technique provided interiority for minor characters, the novel might have been stronger told from only the main characters' perspectives: Edna, her caretaker, and the elf.
The story resolution wasn't a complete surprise (the author did an excellent job with foreshadowing), yet I still stayed up way past my bedtime to finish the book. The ending was pitch perfect and worth the lack of sleep the next day.
There are a lot of silly moments in the book, but also considerable pathos. As the author notes, “While it’s often humorous, the story involves loss, grief, and unresolved trauma” [including physical abuse and hazing]. These issues are handled deftly, adding depth to the overall storyline.
I had difficulty with the frequent shifts in point of view: the author slid in and out of different characters' perceptions with no discernable pattern. This "head hopping" created an omniscient-narrator effect and distanced me from the story. Though this technique provided interiority for minor characters, the novel might have been stronger told from only the main characters' perspectives: Edna, her caretaker, and the elf.
The story resolution wasn't a complete surprise (the author did an excellent job with foreshadowing), yet I still stayed up way past my bedtime to finish the book. The ending was pitch perfect and worth the lack of sleep the next day.
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