Author: Jane Rosenberg LaForge
Publisher: Amberjack Publishing
Publication Date: 5 June 2018
Pages: 215
Format: eBook - EPUB
Genre: Historical/Fantasy
Source: ARC via NetGalley
A great war, a great love, and the mythology that unites them; The Hawkman: A Fairy Tale of the Great War is a lyrical adaptation of a beloved classic. Set against the shattering events of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, at the tale’s heart are an American schoolteacher—dynamic and imaginative—and an Irish musician, homeless and hated—who have survived bloodshed, poverty, and sickness to be thrown together in an English village. Together they quietly hide from the world in a small cottage. Too soon, reality shatters their serenity, and they must face the parochial community. Unbeknownst to all, a legend is in the making—one that will speak of courage and resilience amidst the forces that brought the couple together even as outside forces threaten to tear them apart. (Goodreads Synopsis)
The Hawkman is a lyrical magical realism story that blends historical fiction with fairytale retelling. As such, I thought it worked well. The prose is beautiful, and we get an interesting use of imagery and theme, particularly in relation to sound. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the past and present, and I liked reading of the growing relationship between the two protagonists. However, when I reached the end, I felt there had been something missing. I loved moments in the story, but it didn't quite form a cohesive whole. That said, it was still a delightful read and a creative retelling, and is well worth checking out if you enjoy adapted fairytales and magical realism.
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