![]() The historical record of this story is found in Ban Gu's Hanshu, or History of the Former Han. ( CC BY 2.0 ) The Chinese and Middle Eastern Legends of the Shadow PlayĪ popular Chinese legend from the second century BCE begins with the conjuring of a “shadow” of the deceased beloved concubine of Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). Shadow puppetry is so embraced by many different cultures that each culture seems to have their own history and legend of the first shadow play performance- therefore claiming it, or at least different versions of it, as their own. It has a long history in China, India, Nepal, and Southeast Asia, as well as in Turkey and Greece, surviving everything from war and famine to cultural revolutions. The art of shadow puppetry, or shadow play, is an ancient form of storytelling which utilizes flat figures (shadow puppets) to create cut-out figures which are then held between a source of light and a translucent screen. Plato's Allegory of the Cave by Jan Saenredam, 1604. However, it also illustrates an early example of the use of shadows and the significance of caves as sacred sites for the performance of religious ceremonies, as well as an early example of a performance of a shadow play. This story illustrates Plato's discussion on the illusory nature of all perceptions. The fire behind the puppets casts shadows of them and, according to Plato, they are seen as a form of reality by the fettered audience. The inscription refers to a shadow play performance where puppets of humans and animals were manipulated by a puppeteer in that cave. There are only a few uses of mild language.In his Republic, Plato mentions a cave in India with an inscription from the second century BCE. In the way of sexual content, there are a few crude jokes or innuendos and two characters kiss. It also has a high body count, including the shooting of innocents and the discovery of a mass grave. Including bloody skirmishes, executions, torture, and some descriptive details that lean toward gory. Violence plays an important part in revealing a country enduring invasion and war. I would definitely recommend it for readers who relish more immersive worlds. Overall, despite its formulaic young adult plot (featuring rebellions and a main character who changes her mind about the people in power and falls in love along the way), For a Muse of Fire offers a lot of themes that are different from your average YA fantasy. Some of the chapters tell the story through plays, and throughout the book, sheet music, maps, letters and telegrams are wedged between chapters. The last thing that really made this book stand out for me is the mixed-media format. While its presence is subtle, revealing Jetta’s lows as time jumps, it is definitely relevant to the plot and her characterization. Jetta struggles with bipolar disorder (though it is often referred to within the book as Jetta’s “malheur”). I’ve never seen that before.Īnother element I’ve rarely seen is mental illness representation in fantasy novels. Necromancy isn’t uncommon in the fantasy genre, but in this book, Heidi Heilig uses it in an imaginative, different way through blood magic and shadow puppetry. ![]() Magic also plays a strong part in this story. How the Aquitan colonization affects Jetta’s culture is naturally revealed through clothing, language, religion and even buildings. ![]() ![]() It is easy to see the thumbprint of both nations in the story. He is rumored to have a hot spring that cures his ills, which Jetta would like to know more about - because seeing spirits isn’t the only thing that plagues her.īut as rebellion seethes and their group is waylaid, Jetta meets a young smuggler and is forced to face truths that send her on a new dangerous journey.įor a Muse of Fire introduces readers to a unique world inspired by Southeast Asia and French colonization. Shadow plays are the latest rage in Aquitan, and if she can earn a spot aboard the royal ship, she’ll have the chance to play before the Mad King. Jetta’s skill and fame with the puppets may be the only way her family can get out of the country. Other than from behind the scrim, Jetta must never show her gift, never tell. While Jetta’s family always chalks it up to a trade secret, the truth is that Jetta can see the souls of the recently departed and bind them to the puppets with her blood.īut the old ways are forbidden since their country was conquered by the colonial army. It is said their puppets seem to move without string or stick. Jetta’s family has made a name for themselves as the most talented troupe of shadow players in the land. Thank you for supporting my small business and allowing me to continue providing you a reliable resource for clean book ratings. This review contains affiliate links, which earn me a small commission when you click and purchase, at no extra cost to you. ![]()
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