“First things first. My name is André. I am a cat, and this is not a children’s story.” Not for children, but for readers with a love of fiction, humor and a taste for provocative, contemporary spirituality. Take André, an imperious cat; add in young Toby Wellington, a cold-hearted, once-in-a-century prodigy; and Orlando Floyd, Toby’s art teacher, in love with the boy’s beautiful mother. Add to that one act of murder, a trial, a verdict, the complete works of Johann Sebastian Bach, and Toby’s own masterpiece, an otherworldly drawing with never-before-seen power. Finally, add Akbar, an emissary of the League of Initiates, and you’ve got the makings of A PEACEABLE KINGDOM, where, as Akbar explains: “Every act may be seen as an act of love… or then again, maybe not.”
You must be logged in to post a review.
Please log in
2
People Reviewed This Item
By ed janus
Oct 15, 2009
"A Peaceable Kingdom" There are two, interpenetrating stories in Mr. Borovsky’s wonderful tale of transcendent art and artless murder. There is the page-turning story of a boy both gifted and damned and the human beings who love, admire and ultimately fear him. And there is the “musical” story playing always in the background; the story of a cat learning to love and a secret order of birds, crows actually, trying to teach the wisdom that souls, only can apprehend. The author weaves a most original and compelling pattern of relationships between things that touch the soul and souls that touch things; between a surpassing art of the soul and its counterpoint in unforgiving matter. Although I’m not sure, I think Mr. Borovsky himself has written a musical offering for us his reader-listeners. Like wonderful music, this book penetrates the mind and heart through its simple-seeming language. I recommend this book to you who are interested in wisdom, art, wonderful wise animals,... More > tragedy and a damn good page-turning thriller. It is a most unusual book for it contrives to do something quite difficult – to bring matter and soul together. I look forward to the authors next offering. It too will be, I think, music to my ears. Ed Janus, Voice Arts Publishing< Less
"A peaceable Kingdom" A Peaceable Kingdom is, like Borovsky’s other work, completely original. Borovsky’s characters, plot lines, voice, mood, and themes are like those of no other author. A Peaceable Kingdom is also a spooky thriller. I’ve read other books by Richard Borovsky and have enjoyed them for their originality, humor and spiritual insight; but this is the first one that I couldn’t put down. Ok sure, there is a cat narrator; but readers who really know cats will recognize Andre even though he resembles no other cat in literature. Andre is, I think, destined to be a memorable literary character. And there is a crow who becomes a spiritual adviser to Andre. That may seem ridiculous until you think where spiritual insights come from in your own life. But it is the boy, Toby, whose artistic gift is balanced by a dark side, who keeps us fascinated as his story unfolds - a dark side that could become more thoroughly self-destructive were it not for the protection Toby... More > receives from unlikely places. Perhaps the most original and wonderful thing about A Peaceable Kingdom is the way the author describes the art of Toby Wellington. Mr. Borovsky could have a second career in art appreciation. I have never read any description of visual art that was more vivid and frighteningly emotional. Of course art like Toby’s is impossible, right? I almost hope so; otherwise I might be afraid to look.< Less
