Friday, November 08, 2019

THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY


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The Ten Thousand Doors of January, Alix E Harrow, Redbook Books, 2019, 371 pp
 
Just today I was proclaiming on one of my friend's blogs that I don't read romance novels. Then I sat down to write this review and realized that I do like love stories. The Ten Thousand Doors of January is built around two wonderful love stories set amidst a complex historical tale in the 19th century. The narrator is a woman who lost her mother in infancy and whose father comes and goes, so she is a little more than half an orphan.
 
When our heroine, named January, was seven she found a door to another world. The world she lived in was a world of privilege as the ward of an extremely rich man who seemed to be her protector. He was also the man responsible for sending her father on long journeys for reasons unknown to January. The door she found as a young girl and and a strange book she found later may contain answers to the mystery of her life.

I loved this book with all my heart. Not everyone does, including the other two readers with whom I discussed it, but I love them for leading me to the book. Alix E Harrow was trained as an historian, though she jumped that track and wrote a debut novel that may have a flaw or two but deals with portals to other worlds. The villains of the story are evil rich men who would have those portals closed lest they let in new and strange ideas that might upset the order upon which their wealth depends.

Ever since I read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as a child, I have been fascinated by the idea of portals that lead to other worlds. Therefore this novel was just right for me. There are wonders beyond portals, full of adventure and often danger, but always possibilities that you might find your true self, not to mention true love.

If that sort of thing appeals to you, you will want to read The Ten Thousand Doors of January.

20 comments:

  1. Portals and gates to other dimensions and times do make for some great literature. Sometimes they tie in well with the concept of escape. The idea of people trying to close portals to keep ideas out sounds like very clever symbolism.

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    1. Yes, Brian, you picked up on that very clever symbolism! I thought so too.

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  2. Interesting. I've seen a lot of comment about this book lately and, as you indicate, there seems to be a dichotomy of opinion about it. It appears to have hit just the right spot with you!

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  3. I always love discovering new books from your reviews, Judy. I'm going to see about getting this one through our library system.

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    1. I am glad to hear that! I hope you find it there and thanks for visiting.

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  4. I'm game for this one. It might go well with Ninth House which I'm reading now. What's happening ... all this fantasy, magic taking over me .... finally. Nice review.

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    1. When things get too real we go for fantasy?

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  5. Glad to hear this warm review, since it had been getting mixed reviews after a lot of buildup. I definitely want to try this one for myself.

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    1. I am glad I read it before I read the reviews! I will look forward to finding out how you liked it.

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  6. i read Narnia at least four times and loved it... but "January" as a name in the 19th C.?? one boggles a bit...

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    1. Ah, you are a savvy guy! The origin of the name is explained in the story and it makes sense.

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  7. I've just started reading this, but it's too early for me to tell what I think of it yet. I hope I'm going to love it as much as you did!

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    1. I was not enamored of her writing at first but it just kept getting better. Also a tiny bit confusing in the beginning. I am glad I stuck with it!

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  8. what an interesting cover! Cheers

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    1. Yes and the book matches the cover!

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  9. This one sounds so freaking good to me! I've got it on hold at the library but it's got nearly 70 holds when I last checked.

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    1. I know, the holds are ridiculous everywhere. You will love it when you get it, I think. I confess, I bought a copy and someday I will read it again.

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  10. Portals to other worlds are loads of fun. I also love the idea of portals that take characters and readers to other fantasy worlds... Or portals used for time traveling.

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    1. I am always happy to meet another portal lover!

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