Auralia's Colors: Post #3 (Tour 1/21/08-1/23/08)

Here are some final thoughts on this novel by Jeffrey Overstreet. Click the book cover to see Auralia's Colors at Amazon.

The Keeper:

One of the things about this book that I found evoked contradictory thoughts was the portrayal of "The Keeper." The Keeper was a character that was very much in the background of the story.

First, I thought it very interesting how every child dreamed of The Keeper. No one told them about him, they simply knew that he was. I also liked how Overstreet compared and contrasted the adult's reactions to this keeper. Most "outgrew" him and thought of him as only a bad dream from childhood. Some, like the Ale boy, still considered him. Yet, he considered him with fear and trembling. Others, like the King and Queen bristled at his name and tried to erase his mention in their presence and their kingdom. Then there was Auralia, who sought him.

I also thought it interesting that The Keeper inspired both fear and awe but never joy. Maybe we will see that in later books, but the Keeper seemed to be too unknown and fearful for me to feel drawn to his character. Perhaps that is because most of the time we saw him through the eyes of those who feared him or didn't believe. I guess I would have preferred to see a figure who either drew people (inspiring that tingling in your veins hope) or completely repelled them. Perhaps also I failed to feel drawn to him because I couldn't relate to the physical description he was given. It was too monster like in my mind to be able to relate the description to something good, something to be in awe of, yes, something to trust in or seek after, not for me. Maybe this figure will be expounded upon later in the series. I hope so.