I just realized I did not post this review last month as I’d planned. Here it is now.

          I went to see the book of Eli recently. (Well, since this didn’t get posted when I’d planned, it was over a month ago. ) I am amazed and thrilled that this movie came from Hollywood.

          The Book of Eli is a “dystopian” movie, a depiction of society that has devolved into a bleak, harsh world where hope and joy are non-existent. I’m not sure what it indicates about our current society, but it seems these types of stories are becoming more and more popular. The difference with The Book of Eli, though, is that the overarching message (at least the one I got) is one of hope.

          Eli, played by Denzel Washington, is a nomad, a sword-wielding, ferocious nomad on a years-long trek across a country almost unrecognizable as our own. Decades before, the world was devastated by a cataclysmic natural event that shattered society and blinded anyone exposed to it. All that is left are pockets of pseudo-civilizations, mostly ruled by cruel gang lord types. Eli stops to barter and rest in one such gang lord’s ‘town’.

          This gang lord, Carnegie, learns Eli has a book. A book Carnegie believes holds the power he needs to solidify his domination over the region and beyond. Eli says he was led to a book sometime after the cataclysmic event that destroyed society and that he was told to protect the book and to take it west. He refuses to give it to Carnegie or even to allow him to see it. The rest of the movie is the chase and struggle and seeming defeat of Eli at the hands of Carnegie. In true poetic justice, though, Carnegie’s victory is short-lived and Eli’s defeat is really no defeat.

          Eli is a true to life personification of a man caught in a horrible world trying to do what he’s been called to do. He does some things that don’t fit with the idea of a pacifist Christian. He’s hard and solitary and not at all friendly. He kills, he’s rude, he’s abrupt and to the point when discussing, confronting and negotiating. He’s a hard man. But he’s a man. He’s a man intent on accomplishing the task he’s been given. He’s a focused man and he’s a capable man. He wields a sword and his wits with equal dexterity.

          sometimes he makes choices that seem contradictory to what we think of as the Christian life (such as refusing to share with others what is in the Book), it is evident he is focused on completing his task. A task he knows came from the author of that Book. Those seeming unChristlike choices are addressed later in the movie when he says, “I was so intent on protecting the Book that I forgot to live by what it taught.” Even with that confession, it was obvious he did believe and live much of what he’d learned. He walked without fear across the country. He gave warning to those attacking him, giving them a chance to abandon that course. He steadfastly refused to desert his task. He was faithful.

          The book of Eli is filled with violent images and depicts a tragic world, one almost devoid of hope or joy and anything good. The world seems to be place filled with pockets of thugs ruling little fiefdoms or solitary people living an horrific existence. This movie just as graphically imposes hope, realistic, possible to attain hope into that dystopia. The book of Eli, while one of the most stark dystopian movies I’ve seen, is also one of the most hopeful. One of the few that I’ve walked away from encouraged and inspired.

          The hope that is depicted in the storyline is also seen in the way the film is recorded. One of the complaints I have about a lot of the emotionally dark movies is how they are also filmed in dark surroundings. This makes things hard to see and gives an oppressive feel to the entire story. I realize that is probably the intent, but I think sometimes it is overdone. Maybe that’s why I don’t like dark movies. (By dark, I mean those storylines that depict life as oppressive, tragic, devoid of enjoyment, where bad triumphs over good.)

          The Book of Eli was a different. Yes it is an oppressive society. There is little enjoyment and life is tragic. But most of the movie was filmed in daylight. Even the nighttime scenes are lit well. I think this is significant. Again, this was probably done intentionally. Even if not, it added a huge subliminal message that light can dispel darkness, right can triumph over wrong, and justice will be done.

          The ending scene is of the book, the Holy Bible, being put on the shelf with the Koran. I’ve heard many complain about that, saying it equates the Bible with all the other great books, or that it dilutes the message of God protecting His book. I disagree. I think it sharply, with one crisp visual, shows how God accomplishes His purposes even through those who do not acknowledge His involvement. All throughout history, the Lord, His Word and His people have been protected and guided, sometimes by obvious means, most times by not so obvious. In the Book of Eli, Eli is guided directly by God, given a sight and an understanding he doesn’t have on his own. Just because the Lord also used a group of people intent on preserving all the great literature does not discount God’s working in those events.

          According to my statement of purpose I want to remark on and bring into better focus that which is good and pure and noble and lovely and of good report in the books and movies I review. In my reviews, you will read about what is good, what I liked about the movie, how I was enriched and encouraged by watching it, what I saw that made my Lord’s truths more clear, more real. In my opinion, The Book of Eli is a wondrous story of one man’s walk of faith and the impact it had on his world.

          I’m not a planner. I’m a live life in the moment type of person. I much prefer to take each day as it comes. Over my many years, though, I have had to learn the value of planning ahead. Without a plan, many of life’s dreams cannot be realized. Without a plan, super-duper opportunities are missed. Or never even considered. Without a plan, life can become stagnant and unfulfilled. A definitive downer for life in the moment.

          So out of necessity, I have learned to plan. Or, more precisely, I continue the struggle.
         
This blog needs a plan, doesn’t it? I’m trying to come up with one. Really, I am! I keep getting ideas, but then I realize the idea is all about talking about me. You don’t want that. Why would you want to come read me pontificating about me and my life? Even if I were the wisest person on earth (which I’m not) or the most famous (which I’m not) or the funniest (definitely not), you would soon get tired of reading about me. I need to offer you something of value and I need to do it consistently.
         
This is a case where the spirit is willing and the flesh is weak. I know that reviewing books and movies with biblical perspectives and observations is valuable. I want to write those. It takes time, though. Time to read the book, time to think about it and time to compile a review that is truthful and uplifting. I am writing them. (Well, at present, I’m reading and mulling over the stories. There are five to ten books waiting in my brain to have thoughts put words ) I just cannot sustain a blog with reviews, though. Even once-a-week reviews. So there has to be more than reviews to make you want to come read my ramblings.

          Since my goal is to encourage other Christians in their attempts to live a life consistent with what the Bible teaches, I think one aspect of this blog should be focused on Scripture. To that end, I’ve devised a plan for reading the Bible through in a year. Instead of starting in Genesis and ending in Revelation, I’ve arranged the books in combination format. I alternate periodically between Old Testament and New Testament while arranging each day’s readings as chronologically as possible within that Testament. Check out “Bible Reading Table” to see the entire plan.

          Reviews, Scripture readings and possibly some commentary on a day’s reading. That’s a good starter plan. I hope you find encouragement and inspiration in each and every post.

          My oldest son has to make some choices that may cost him some freedom, options or money. These issues are things he has been thinking and praying about for many weeks. As he nears his final decisions, the practical consequences of the choice he feels he must make are looming dark and threatening. At the very least, some of his options for the future will be limited. He most assuredly will be dismissed, perhaps suffer a damaged reputation and fines. Yet he is resolved to do what he has discerned is right.

          The mom in me hates to see him suffer. I want his trek through this life to be easy and smooth and devoid of problems. Deep down, though, on a level that really matters I am thrilled. He is studying the Word, he is growing in knowledge and wisdom, and he is seeking the Lord with all his heart. The discussions we’ve had, the soul-searching he has done and these final decisions reveal that his relationship with the Lord is a vital part of who he is. That has always been my heart’s prayer. And so I rejoice.

          All the years of his childhood he accepted our values. Of course, we had some typical teenage struggles, but no wild or immoral behavior, no wholesale rejection of our values. I’ve never had any indication that he would reject them. I just know that it is normal for young adults to jettison some of the teachings and opinions of their parents. This is normal. It is right that they find their own way, that they determine what they really believe, that they lay their own foundation and live their own life. But it can be a scary time for a parent. It is a comfort to see evidence that his faith is his own, not merely a reflection of mine or his dad’s.

          So I today I am especially thankful for adult children who share my faith.

          Dealing with Dragons” is an hilarious, almost farcical fantasy that takes place in the kingdoms neighboring the Enchanted Forest. It is a world with knights and dragons, princesses and wizards and all manner of magical creatures and traditions. It is the tale of Cimorene, a princess, the seventh and youngest daughter of the king of Linderwall.

          Cimorene is a princess unlike any other princess in this world. She is not content to fill her head with manners and embroidery and inane traditions. She tries to study magic, or fencing or Latin but as soon as her parents discover each infraction, they order it stopped. None of those studies are fitting for a princess. None of the studies befitting a princess capture Cimorene’s interest. She learns them, but she is bored and frustrated. When a betrothal to a neighboring prince is planned, she resists. She doesn’t want to marry the bubble-headed prince just because it is fitting. Her parents, even her fairy godmother, are adamant. She will marry Prince Therandil.

          As she mulls over the problem, a nearby talking frog offers advice. Run away. Cimorene follows that advice, going to the dilapidated gray house the frog directs her to. There she finds dragons.

          After a rather frightening encounter, smoothed over in part by her princess training, she is taken in by one of the dragons. Her parents can’t complain. Being captured by a dragon is fitting for any princess. It comes with its own frustrations, though. Her father, compelled by tradition, offers her hand in marriage to the knight who can rescue her from the dragon.

          In the midst of hilarious attempts to discourage ever-increasing numbers of knights, including Prince Therandil, from rescuing her, Cimorene stumbles into her own adventure. In the process, she discovers an interesting way to best a wizard, makes several interesting friends and uncovers a dire plot against the dragons.

          This was a fun, whimsical story. I found nothing objectionable to my faith. It was silly and humorous at places, with some oddly jumbled permutations of fairy tale lore, but it was all light-hearted fun, not sarcastic or acrimonious.

          There was a clear understanding of right and wrong and the good guys clearly won the day. There is some light-hearted poking fun at tradition, which some might find offensive, but I thought was handled with just the right touch. Even though Cimorene balked against following tradition and all the”fitting and proper” education she had to endure, there are several times her knowledge and training aided her. There were just as many times she used the knowledge she had gained from her brief time spent studying not-fitting-for-a-princess studies. For me that illustrated the point that, while tradition and proper behavior is important, blindly following said tradition is unwise.

          The only complaint I really have, and it’s not much of one, is related to the villains. Throughout this book and even the entire series, all wizards are portrayed as evil and deceitful. There is one short section in the last book of the series that intimates there were some wizards not in on the nefarious plots, but it is a minor, almost missed side statement. This seems a bit one-sided and unrealistic, but it fits in this story-world. This same story-world presents most princesses as bubble-headed, dragons as noble, witches and magicians as good (they are different than wizards) and cats as helpful.

          All in all, “Dealing with Dragon” and its companion books, “Searching for Dragons,” “Calling on Dragons” and “Talking to Dragons” are fun forays into the fantasy land of The Enchanted Forest and its neighboring kingdoms.

          The bio on the back flap of many of his books says “Ted Dekker is known for novels which combine adrenaline-laced stories packed with unexpected plot twists, unforgettable characters, and incredible confrontations between good and evil.” This is certainly true of THR3E.

          THR3E begins with a brief discourse on the nature of evil between seminary student Kevin Parson and his academic advisor. This conversation, which sounds boring, is actually quite interesting. Although brief, it sets the foundation for the entire story. “Can man remove himself beyond the reach of evil? Or is he condemned to live a life of evil?” From that first question, the author builds a picture of Kevin Parson, a young seminary student with what is referred to as a bizarre past. Throughout the story, we see him trying to ignore, forget and overcome his past, but events won’t let him.

          Within moments of leaving his advisor, he receives a phone call. The man on the other end demands that Kevin call the newspaper and confess his sin. If he doesn’t, his car will blow up in three minutes. He gives Kevin a riddle, meant to reveal and remind Kevin of the sin and hangs up. Kevin frantically ditches the car in a greenbelt near an almost empty parking lot. A moment later, the car explodes. The ensuing investigation takes 300 pages of non-stop action as Slater taunts and teases and detonates more bombs. With each new event, Kevin is forced to admit and confront another piece of his past.

          In the end, this entire story can be summed up in Dr. John Francis’ response to that initial conversation at the beginning of the book. Man is not condemned to a lifetime of evil, but rather “A lifetime struggle with evil.” Who knew a philosophical and theological question could be so gripping and compelling? No wonder it has been a public debate for millennia. And Ted Dekker’s “THE3E” just made it even more so.

          Thomas Hunter is a man caught between two worlds. Literally. In one world he is a 25 year old businessman being chased by people wanting to kill him. When he falls asleep (or is knocked unconscious), he enters another world, one where people living in harmony in low-tech villages shun the forest and the river that runs past it as Evil and Forbidden. There he meets talking birds and vicious bats. He almost dies several times. In both worlds. And, through the course of the story, comes to believe somehow, someway, both worlds are real. And both worlds are in danger.

          In the 21st century Denver world, he must stop a biological plague, a plague that seems to be the history of this other world. There’s no way to tell for sure, though, because all the written history is lost. That’s why it is called The Lost Books. Thomas is told hunting the Lost Books is a dangerous thing to do, but he needs that information to save his . . . one of his worlds. Will his actions save or doom a world? Or both?

          Ted Dekker is an amazing author. His stories are full of action and plot twists that keep you turning pages well into the night. The absolute thrill I experience in reading his stories is mirrored by a corresponding joy at recognizing a world view and truths so consistent with my own I feel a kinship. In Ted Dekker’s fictional worlds, God exists. He is actively and compassionately involved in our reality. When I see these truths illustrated and illuminated so expertly, I can’t help but be envious. I want to write like that!

          His stories are not the typical pabulum of Christian fiction. He is one of many authors who are breaking out of the mold that says a book either has to be secular, devoid of God and His Truth to be interesting or it has to conform to certain strictures that, in the end, strip it of interest. This is not a complaint against Christian fiction. It has its place. Rarely, though, do you find an action-packed adventure, full of the angst and evil expected in the thriller or suspense genre combined with a thoroughly Christian perspective. Ted Dekkar does that combination well.

         I went to this movie expecting to like it. Several friends recommended it t. They said it was the best Star Trek movie ever. I like all things Star Trek, so I expected to like this. Just before I went, though, someone mentioned Romulans. That concerned me, made me wonder if maybe this movie wouldn’t live up to the hype. After all, as any Trek follower knows, the Romulans were first encountered in the original series. So even though I expected to enjoy the movie, I was on the alert for inconsistencies.

          I’m pleased to say the movie covered all the inconsistencies. I’m not so pleased to say I didn’t really get the story I expected to get. Supposedly I was going to see the younger Dr. McCoy, James Kirk and Spock, among others, meet and experience their first adventure. I didn’t really get that. I got an adventure, a wonderfully cinematic one. I didn’t get an introduction to the early years of the characters as I expected. They had the same names. They had the burgeoning versions of the same quirks. (The actors were superb! I forgot immediately that these people were actors. They became the characters.) They had the glimmerings of the same character chemistry and conflicts. But they weren’t the same. From the first moment we saw them on the screen, their lives had been subtly or not so subtly changed by a timeline invasion.

         I am of two minds about this movie. On the one hand, it was an excellent movie, with great acting, an interesting storyline and a set-up for many more adventures. On the other hand, though, it was NOT a movie chronicling the early years of Spock, McCoy, and Kirk. Yes it was enjoyable. Yes, the actors did an amazing job in portraying these younger counterparts. Yes, the story was compelling. But it was not the story of “my” characters, the characters I knew in my childhood and teens. In the words of young Kirk to old Spock, “coming back in time, changing history . . . that’s cheating.” That’s what it feels like . . .cheating.

          But if I can lay all that aside (and I can) to see this story without all those generational expectations, I am impressed. This is a superb movie. The acting is fantastic, the characters believable and the plot, while extraordinary is at least plausible. Add to that the potential of numerous more new on-screen adventures, and you have a movie worthy to be listed in the Star Trek library.

         There are the usual “red flags” many Christians (me included) object to, cursing, double entredres and outright physical encounters. This is to be expected. Unfortunately. However, they are few and almost inoffensive. Even the physical encounters are brief and not too explicit. I would have preferred not to see a scantily clad Kirk and alien cadet or Uhura strip down to her underwear for the camera, but those encounters were brief. There was no lingering on the scenes with the seeming intent to arouse (unlike Uhura’s distracting display in “The Search for Spock”). And, if you wait for the DVD and you have/buy a ClearPlay DVD player, you can easily filter out those offensive scenes without losing any of the major plot points.

          Overall, I liked this movie. It was an enjoyable 2 hours. It just wasn’t the Star Trek experience that I expected. It was the creation of a new Star Trek experience. As with the Next Gen, DS9, and Voyager stories, this one is full of possibilities. Once I’m past the disappointment of not seeing “my” Star Trek beginnings, I’m sure I will enjoy this new timeline as much as all the others.

          As for Christian merit, I can’t really cite anything memorable for or against. This movie was faith-neutral. Unlike many of the episodes, spiritually was not ridiculed or debunked, controversial social issues were not cast in a light at odds with traditional Christian thought. In fact, those issues were not explored at all. This was purely an action-adventure movie. There is no social commentary that is so prevalent in the TV shows. There was none of the evolutionary theoretical science presented as fact that is prevalent in the multiple Trek series. The only objectionable parts of the movie are the already-mentioned minor cursings and an aborted bedroom scene.

          I’m not sure I actually recommend it. That would imply that I see something that encourages and uplifts a Christian who chooses to watch it. I can’t really say that. While there is little that is objectionable, this is in essence just a fun ride. Possibly a bit more so for those already fond of the Star Trek universe. And fun rides are . . . fun. So go enjoy it if you want.

          For a more detailed review and analysis (compatible with the Christian perspective, of course), Focus on the Family’s Plugged in does a good job.

          IMDB has a full synopsis of the story.

          I first discovered The People when as a teenager in the 1970’s I happened across “The People: No Different Flesh. There I met Eva-Lee, her family and her world as they absorbed the tragic news that their Home was dying and they must build ships to take them Elsewhere. Eva-Lee and her People had Gifts and Persuasions that allowed them to enter minds (only under dire need or with permission), move objects and fly (they called it lifting). When one of the ships that left the Home crash landed on Earth, the People were scattered and stranded in a strange land.

          Zenna Henderson’s People stories chronicle many of the encounters between residents of Earth and the People. From the fearful religious cult that sees them as an abomination to the struggling desert farmer who only sees a badly injured boy to the traveling pioneer family who rescues a frightened, abandoned girl, the histories of this exiled People are shaped and shared in several People anthologies. All these stories vividly depict a People struggling to adjust to their new Home. Amidst that struggle is the determination to remain a distinct Group, even as they hide their differences from Outsiders. The People, a loving, forgiving race thrill to discover echoes of their own spirituality in this new world and consistently strive to reflect that spirituality as they use their Gifts and Persuasions, albeit circumspectly, to aid and heal and help those they meet.

          Originally published as short stories in the 1960’s and depicting rural Southwestern life with amazingly realistic detail, these stories are timeless. Written in a gentle, conversant manner, they vividly portray the life and emotions of rugged, sensitive characters. These characters reveal a wide range of human emotion and need, all the while showcasing ideals worth emulating, sometimes even by exhibiting its opposite.

          In the years since they first appeared as short stories, several compilations have been published. Rather than just producing straight anthologies, Zenna Henderson created stories to connect, or bridge the short stories, creating, in effect, a novel. The only compilation still in print is “Ingathering: The Complete People Stories of Zenna Henderson.” Ironically, this is the only one I haven’t read. I’m told there are a couple of stories, as well as a letter written by Zenna Henderson that do not appear in any other collection.

          These are stories that will enrich all who read, but a Christian may find them particularly delightful. Every one of the People stories I have read has reflected and encouraged a lifestyle and principles compatible with Christianity. Many of her stories include Scripture and all of them apply Scriptural principles. Her terminology (“The Presence” - God, “Called” - the awareness of imminent death, “Festival” – a group funeral/memorial service for all who died that year) may surprise, even startle some, but in reality these terms may perhaps be a closer depiction of truth

          I recommend everyone read these stories, from pre-teens to octogenarians. They are that good.

          “Ranger’s Apprentice” is yet another young adult series. (Can you tell I have young adults in my house?) There is much that is being published in this genre that is admirable. This series by John Flanagan is one of them.

          Will is “ward of the manor,” a foundling who has been raised with the charity of the lord of his region. The story opens on The Choosing Day, the day when he and the other 16 year-old wards of the manor are chosen by one of the many guilds If no guild takes them as an apprentice, they are sent to be a hired hand of a farmer in the region. This seems to be Will’s fate until he demonstrates curiosity, honesty and other ranger-needed traits when he passes an unknown test devised by Halt, the local Ranger. The Rangers are an elite group of men charged with being the King’s eyes, ears and hands throughout the region. Halt recruits Will into the Ranger Corp and begins his training.

          His ward-mate, Horace, is chosen for the Battle School. Both Will and Horace have character building struggles and misunderstandings to overcome during the coming year. In the end they both discover their strengths and find success in their chosen apprenticeship. At times their bickering and other choices seem juvenile and obtuse, but they are teenagers, after all. Male teenagers. With all the angst and fire to prove their mettle. They soon learn to value and rely on each other’s strengths.

          This is a wonderful series, showing characters making choices and experiencing the consequences, good and bad, of those choices. Admirable traits such as honesty, courage, determination and more are portrayed favorably while their negative counterparts are revealed as less desirable. Positive growth is seen in the characters and noble actions rewarded. Although obviously written for the young adult market, and somewhat lacking the intensity and complexity of more sophisticated stories, this is a series even an adult can enjoy.

          While I really like the entire series and I don’t know how he could tell the same story and not do this, I have one compliant. The books are not stand-alone. The story is not completely told in one book. The first book is complete, but 2-4 tell a complete story and 5 ends on a cliff hanger, with the fate of at least one person in jeopardy. If he fails to write, or his publisher decides not to publish the next book(s), this story remains in limbo. I realize one of the greatest stories of our culture, The Lord of the Rings, does this very thing. I know sometimes a good story does need to span several books. I just don’t particularly like this trend. I prefer stand-alone books. I love books that pick up the storylines of characters from previous books, telling more of those character’s stories (such as Harry Potter, the Enchanted, Inc series, the Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom series). I just don’t like a single story arc to span multiple books. I like all the questions answered, the story arcs complete and a rosy future, or at least an acceptable one, in the horizon. There are exceptions, though and “Ranger’s Apprentice” is worth reading even with this “fault”. In fact, I highly recommend it and am eagerly awaiting the 6th book.

         Fortune”s Fool by Mercedes Lackey (ISBN-13: 978-0-373-80266-1 or ISBN-10 0-373-80266-8) is another story from the 500 Kingdoms and is published by Luna, an imprint of Harlequin in 2007.

         Like the previous 500 Kingdom stories (one of which I reviewed), Fortune’s Fool is set in a fantasy land that has a magical force called The Tradition that nudges (or pushes) people toward well-known story-paths. The hero and heroine of Fortune’s Fool both come from families who have learned to, if not manipulate The Tradition, at least to influence it to the benefit of their respective kingdoms.

         Sasha’s great-grandfather, while he was still a Prince, procured the help of a Godmother to teach him, made a bargain with a dragon for the needed dragon blood and set about learning all he could about The Tradition. He taught his family that there always needed to be a Scholar, one who studied The Tradition and could predict and guide the family so that they and the kingdom prospered.

         Katya and her Sea-King family also knew of and used The Tradition to aid their kingdom. As magical creatures, mer-people were even more at the mercy of The Tradition. Katya’s father, while still a Prince, determined that they would instead control The Tradition. One such tradition he changed was the one that mermaids would sing sailors to their death. He sent out bards singing songs depicting an alternate story for mermaids, that said sailors merely forgot their One True Loves, at least until the One True Love managed to break the spell. And, soon, because of “seeding” The Tradition this way, that story became prominent.

         Both Katya and Sasha are the youngest in their families, seventh daughter and seventh son. According to The Tradition this was the position of Fool. Both families used this to their advantage. Sasha appeared foolish on the surface, but in reality went about singing songs that manipulated The Tradition and bringing prosperity to his kingdom. Katya, seemingly insignificant to those who bothered to notice her, slipped in and out of the Drylanders and the Sea Kingdoms, watching and listening and bringing reports back to her father, the Sea King of one of the most prosperous and benevolent sea kingdoms.

         Katya and Sasha meet and fall in love while on their many wanderings. Unlike many romances, this is really just the beginning of the story. When Katya is kidnapped by a djinn intent on gathering magical power and taking over neighboring kingdoms, Sasha begins his search. Both face many perils as they struggle to defeat the rising evil surrounding them.

         Mercedes Lackey creates a wonderfully detailed and believable fantasyscape. Her stories are a joy to read, with one exception. Physical intimacy is, while not casual is at least common in the land of the 500 Kingdoms. Sasha and Katya indulge in several explicit encounters. It is refreshing to learn that Sasha is a virgin, but both Katya’s and Sasha’s attitudes in that area are off-center of what is considered moral to a practicing Christian. Fortunately, the bulk of the intimate encounters occur in one short section, about halfway through the story. If you are so inclined, you could easily skip over those scenes. The rest of the story is an enchanting adventure and romance that you might well enjoy. I did.