Ink Readers of Doi Saket by Thomas Heuvelt

Ink Readers of Doi Saket by Thomas Heuvelt: A Modern Myth?

2014-09-26 · by Daniel ·

The Ink Readers of Doi Saket by Thomas Olde Heuvelt is something different is something different. And, for some reason, it’s a Hugo nominee, too.

Near the end of the Mae Ping River in Thailand, a town plays a special role in an annual ritual that runs river long. Villagers will put their wishes in floating down river in paper boats and hope that they will be answered. In Doi Saket, the villagers will read those wishes.

Told scattered and piece meal in the voice of an omniscient, native story-teller, in The Ink Readers of Doi Saket the disparate pieces come together to create a coherent whole. The reader can expect a twist, some loss, but also, a happy ending. The good guy is redeemed, and the bad guy gets it.

But still, something different is here, and I think it’s in the voice. Thomas Olde Heuvelt has written an interesting story, and with an interesting voice, but still…it’s just kind of odd. In some respect, it may be due to my expectations, and I think if I read this as a fable rather than as science fiction or fantasy, I might have enjoyed it differently. But Huevelt can’t seem to make up his mind. Maybe that’s okay. But it kept me from enjoying it more.