by Tad Williams
The second volume of Williams’ Memory, Sorrow and Thorn has to deal with all the problems of being “the middle.” Everyone knows it is the middle and will not have a full resolution to it. The object then is to finish the volume with at least some sense of resolution. Williams does a good job of setting a primary goal to be reached for this section of the story – the title location, the Stone of Farewell. But he also makes use of his vast canvas and large cast of characters to expand the reader’s experience of his world.
Simon, the epic’s main character, had ended the last volume defeating an ice dragon and “winning” the Great Sword, Thorn. But he quickly discovers in this second book that the sword seems to have intentions of its own and they don’t include being one of Simon’s possessions. Since Simon is well aware that the sword is needed for the greater conflict, he accepts this easily. Instead, his focus shifts to the new goal of getting to the Stone of Farewell.
Williams takes the reader into new territories, showing a wide variety of cultural pockets, both intriguing and horrifying. His vivid characters are always distinctive and unmistakable. The unfolding complexity of his story is never lost in a cloud of confusion. He stays clear about each plotline’s goal and continues weaving them well.
This book is dependant on its being part of a larger story, the middle part. However, rich characterizations and well-realized locations give it a strength that many middle volumes lack. It is well worth the time spent reading it, to be sure.
