Swans Wing

This book is a jewel among plain river stones, a slim volume and yet deeply penetrating. Though it is not heavy reading, it is graceful and philosophic, sorrowful and enlightening. It is a glimpse at the mortality of man's creations and the imperfection in all we make. But it is not a pessimistic story; indeed, it shows how we carry on, despite our fall from grace, in a world of our own making.

This is the story of Matthew, a stone carver who abandons a life of riches, a full stomach, and comfort to search for the perfection he feels his work has always lacked. He longs to create "a man who will step down from the cross and walk" but is told that God alone can do such things, and is tortured by his inability to truly create. On his wanderings, he meets a goose girl, Gerda, who is traveling with a man who is what Matthew seeks. He is Lothar, the youngest of eleven princes who were transformed into swans and back again. But Lothar remains between a man and a bird: he has a swan's wing in the place of an arm. He is looking for someone to change the enchantment back. Gerda, who loves him, follows. To Matthew, Lothar is the perfection that he searches for, and goes with them upon their quest. Yet the deep sorrow of the prince is forever pulling at the reader - what is it he truly seeks? an arm? or to once again become a swan? The beauty and simplicity of this work touches the philosopher in us all, and it lingers with us long after the book has been lain aside.Be warned - it is not for those of you looking for the story of the 11 swans from fairytales, or for readers of adventurous fantasy. Its purpose is not to thrill or to continue the story of the swans, it is a quiet, insightful look at human nature.

Although after reading the other reviews of this book I can understand how they were disappointed (it supposedly is a continuation of some other story line), I disagree entirely. I picked it up without knowing any previous connection(s) to other fairy tales and fell in love immediately with its combination of fact vs. fiction, good vs. evil, outward appearances vs. inward realities, and finally truth over deception. What I enjoyed most was how we all see others based on the outward appearance, and frequently neglect to search deeper. Parts of the unrequited love element woven within the pages actually made me cry. It was different, totally enthralling and I will reread it over and over. Excellent!!!