by Tad Williams
The final volume of Williams’ Memory, Sorrow and Thorn unrolls the climactic confrontation with the hostile immortal Storm King, whose spirit rages against his exile from all living things. This pending confrontation has loomed over all three volumes and now the author brings it to the forefront. The vast canvas of Williams’ world and his many subplots are pulled together where the story began, within the walls of the fortress, the Hayholt.
Crucial to the wrap-up of this epic adventure is the final transformation of Simon into a leader and hero. Because Williams rightly knows that victories come with costs, Simon endures torture and the struggles of being lost in a subterranean maze. He gains wisdom into human nature by being pared down to his own essential nature.
If there is one minor flaw to this volume, it is that many of the key moments that explain or reveal the signifincance of events are told after the fact rather than experienced as they happen. However, considering that Williams tracks a large number of characters and several threads of action, using the “telling, not showing” method to wrap up some details is not a deal-killer. He builds the actions and emotions of the chaacters to an exciting climax.
The trilogy is no small endeavor for the reader, but it is worth the time spent. Vivid characters, distinct cultures, unique creatures, all are well crafted for a satisfying reading experience.
