The Adventurer by Mika Waltari

Review by Samantha M. Siciliano

Hey friends! First of all, before you read this fun review, I would love it if you could push the blue follow button to the right of this review, maybe even add your email address to get updates, and share with a friend you think may enjoy this (or on your social media of choice)! I would greatly appreciate it!

Also, below at the end of the article is a comment box! Feel free to leave comments, let me know what you loved about the book or the review, any questions you might have, or if you have something to add! I love learning and discussing books! Please be positive and friendly to our writers! Enjoy!
Thank you for reading, sharing, and becoming a part of this reading community!

Quick Summary:

The Adventurer is a historical fiction piece following the life of a church scholar/trying to practice doctor, Michael. It spans Michael’s young life, from childhood up to the age of 25, during the early 1500s. There is plenty of political intrigue, religious fascination, inequality (rich/poor, men/women, unequal statuses), strong friendships, and terribly heartbreaking moments. The secondary characters were weaker than they were in Waltari’s first book, The Egyptian, but Barbara and Andy are fun to follow. 

The Review:

Honestly, reading about Medieval times isn’t that exciting to me. I don’t know whether it is because that time period is just not my cup of tea, whether I have trouble keeping track of all the rulers and underlings and how they intertwine, or both. 

Michael’s story was similar to Sinuhe’s in Mika’s first historical fiction book The Egyptian. Both the main characters were orphans, both were adopted, they both had a trusty male companion that seems slightly less intelligent by many standards but are really talented at a thing that is advantageous to the main characters, both of their male companions are treated poorly by the main characters, both deal with the loss of a female lover that they have, both are educated (and they do have a similar profession at one point), both travel vast distances to explore the world, and both lose faith in their religion.

There is plenty of fresh material that is accurately depicted in history. A plethora of names, places, dates, and events in the book that had taken place in history. With Michael, we travel from Abo, Finland to France, to Germany, Sweden, Spain, and lastly Italy! 

There are two major events from the book that have stuck with me even after I had long ago turned those pages. First, the German Peasant’s War. This war had taken place in 1524 to 1525. This conflict occurred because of tense feudal relationships between the rich and peasants, people suffering from economic pains, and the creation of the Ninety-Five Theses by Martin Luther. The Theses is known for the start of the Reformation and the battles between the Catholic church and peasants. Peasants were fed up with the church and the rich taking advantage of them. The leader of the peasant armies was Thomas Müntzer, who had a prominent voice and was able to round up fellow dissenters of the church. Luther had made himself famous, snuggled up to the elites, and separated himself and his beliefs from these armies. He did not condone violence. As much as I was cheering for the peasants, I had a feeling it wasn’t going to end well. If you want to know more, you are going to have to read the book or do your own research! 

The second event that has pinned itself in my overworking brain is the witch hunt of Barbara. It is unfathomable to me that people can be so cruel. Cruel isn’t even the best word to describe these situations. The torture that Barbara went through was God awful. People accused of being a witch went through hell.  This part of the book is very brutal and made my whole body tense up and my brain mighty uncomfortable because this torture ACTUALLY happened. In this case, Barbara was sought out by a witch hunter. He looked at her for less than a minute and left. Then he claimed she was a witch and the whole world falls apart for Barbara and Michael. At some point, a witch is asked to either indict herself and answer the following (and more) questions: where did you meet other witches, where did you have relations with the devil and how many times, and who else is a witch? These answers were made up by the accused! So, the witch either creates false information or is tortured until they die or agree they are a witch. If one agrees they are a witch, they are required to talk, or they will be tortured until they do. It doesn’t matter what option a witch chooses, because in the end, they are killed. There is absolutely no way to save oneself or prove their innocence in the eyes of the court/council/church. This scene in the book was graphic, heartbreaking, and very real. 

While I was in the classroom, I taught about the Salem Witch Trials. I had an activity for the very first day where I cut little scraps of paper that had “not a witch” printed on them. After I had passed out each scrap, each student was allowed to look at their paper but not allowed to talk. Then I had them form a circle and said, figure out the witches. They immediately turned on each other and it was a frenzy of accusations flying around the room with the most ridiculous examples. “I saw so and so make a funny face when they read their scrap,” “so and so was fidgety after they read their paper,” “I saw so and so’s paper when they looked.” After about 20 minutes of them arguing they must vote on 3 witches. 

After the three selected witches head to the front of the class, everyone takes a seat, and I ask the three at the front of the class if they have anything to say for themselves. Almost always the three students adamantly deny they are a witch (they cannot show the paper as proof). I ask them if they have any information as to if there are any witches still in the town. Some say the name of their main accuser, while many pick others in the class for other various reasons. Then I have those students who were called out by the original 3 to come up and ask if they know of any more witches in the classroom. They must give a name, and they have to explain why they chose that person. I do this until we either get repeat names or most of the class has been called to the front of the room as witches. 

When we are nearing most or all the class joining the front of the room, I ask all students to go to the back of the room if they had a paper that had “not a witch” written on it. Everyone moves and they look confused. There are usually a lot of mumblings and people saying that someone is a liar. I then explain that this was the frenzy of witch hunts during Medieval/ Witch Trials. The students then usually discuss how this is ludacris, and I then start my lesson on how one was accused of being a witch. Talk to dogs? Witch. Float in water? Witch. Someone could claim that they were being controlled by unseen forces? They accuse someone and the accused is a witch. Birthmark? The mark of the devil! Witch! Often, people were accused of being a witch because they were different, a loner, or an outcast. The kids really get into this lesson, and I usually taught it around Halloween.

This book was well written and researched, I was just not a fan of the time period and this history. I also wish that Andy would have been more visible in the book and not conveniently for Michael and the story. I will give it a 3.5/5. 

IN CONCLUSION, MAYBE? READ THE FRACKING BOOK!

Up Next: Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect by Jonice Webb (Author), Christine Musello (Contributor)

Still Just a Geek by Wil Wheaton

Review by: Samantha M. Siciliano

Hey friends! First of all, before you read this review, I would love if you could push the blue follow button to the right of this review, maybe even add your email address to get updates, and share with a friend you think may enjoy this (or on your social media of choice)! I would greatly appreciate it!

Also, below at the end of the article is a comment box! Feel free to leave comments, let me know what you loved about the book or the review, any questions you might have, or if you have something to add! I love learning and discussing books! Please be positive and friendly to our writers! Enjoy!

Thank you for reading, sharing, and becoming a part of this reading community!

Quick Summary:

Wil Wheaton is an extremely talented writer and actor. I was first introduced to him through his role on the Big Bang Theory. Over the years, I learned more about him through his blog, his web series TableTop, listening to It’s Storytime with Wil Wheaton, listening to his story on PsychCentral’s podcast “Should You Cut Ties with Your Parents?, and then his book Still Just a Geek! This book explores Wil’s experience of growing up in the movie/tv industry, his traumatic childhood, his chosen family, mental health, and individual growth.

The Review:

Wil Wheaton is an amazing author. Reading his book was like talking to a friend that was giving me advice and pointers to help me live my best life. Like Wil, I had a traumatic childhood, I was in a career that harmed but also shaped me, I struggle with living with my mental health, and I am always trying to be a better person than I was the day before. This book resonated with me. I needed to hear that you can say and do things in your younger days that were wrong, and you can grow to be a better person by putting in the work and correcting yourself. 

There were times in this book that I wanted to give young Wil Wheaton a hug. I felt so badly for the traumatic and terrible events that he had to endure. A father that doesn’t accept and love him, a mother that uses him for her own benefit, a brother that is no longer a part of his life. So many people in the film/tv industry (and his mom and dad) let young Wil down continually. However, he eventually figured out that his Star Trek family loves him and cares about him dearly. I know it’s not the same as having your own parents that should be there for you no matter what, but I’m glad he had some adultier adults looking out for him. I enjoyed listening to the stories of his Star Trek family showing their love, commitment, engagement, and joy with Wil. It was stupendous to see Wil rekindle those relationships after some time of drifting alone after he left Star Trek. His once toxic relationship with Star Trek was reformed into mostly positive memories and associations with his role as Wesley on the Enterprise. I adored how Wil now loves going to cons and discussing Star Trek with all of the geeks. I was delighted watching Wil transform his thinking of I hate Wesley Crusher to I AM WESLEY CRUSHER, HERE ME ROAR! Well maybe it wasn’t that extreme, but his fondness now of his role in Star Trek many moons ago was nice. Maybe I’ll be there one day when I think back on my teaching experience.

Unfortunately, Wil’s adults treated him as a commodity to be used instead of a child to be loved. He didn’t have a say in things that he wanted and didn’t want to do. If he made a mistake, he was punished for it. It took a huge mental toll on him. Continually wanting the love and acceptance of his father, Wil was constantly trying to do things that he thought his father would approve of. Wil, it’s not your fault. I’m saying that as much for you, as I am for me. His mother gaslighted him a lot. She simply would not listen and didn’t do what was best for Wil. He was just a kid. It’s not a kid’s job to support their family. It’s a kid’s job to find what interests them and pursue that love and passion, all while being supported by their adults. I am glad that he has a good relationship with his sister, Amy, and that she supports Wil. He also had extraordinary aunts that gave Wil a safe space as a child. I know she wasn’t family, but to his 7^th grade teacher that encouraged Wil to be a writer, way to go! He listened eventually!

Wil’s mental health was important for me to read right now. I am struggling with my own, fighting PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Hey Wil, we have that in common, too! He is successfully living his life to the best of his ability. He has a spectacular wife, two children, many pets, a house, and he can pay his bills. He still struggles, but there is a hope he has that is infectious. I liked hearing that Wil finds joy in his life now. I honestly want that. He goes to therapy, takes his brain pills, and continues to work on himself every day. Wil mentions advice that one of his runner friends told him in the group chat. When you don’t want to do something, ask yourself if future you will appreciate whatever that thing is you need to do. He talks about how he runs because future Wil, will live a happier longer life. He eats healthier because future Wil needs that. Also, he is on a REALLY healthy diet. I think he said he lost 35 pounds. This year I’ve made a lot of changes to my diet as well and have lost about 30 pounds! Need to keep going! Cholesterol is down, weight is down, and blood pressure is down for both of us! Doing the dishes that are left in the sink? DO THEM… You will need that spoon for a bowl of cereal at 1am! I appreciated how Wil made his mental health accessible to all. He has absolutely no shame as having mental health issues can be so debilitating and full of stigma. Wil works so hard to connect to others, share his experience, and help others like me feel not so alone. 

This is what really I wanted to discuss. Wil’s growth throughout his life is impressive. In memoirs or autobiographies, writers tend to polish their words so much, that they don’t discuss their life mistakes, their word usage, and they always try to make themselves the hero of the story (I mean who wants to read something and NOT be inspired?). Wil OWNS his mistakes of harmful words and jokes that are in poor taste. Whenever he apologized and corrected his youthful mistakes, I couldn’t help but think of some of my biggest mistakes I’ve made in my life. He apologizes, he corrects his younger self (politely), and you can tell he has grown so much in his life. It’s obvious that he is comfortable being an advocate for ALL of the people. Instead of hiding from his original Just a Geek self, he put a bright ass spotlight on his mistakes and said duuuuudddddeeeee check yourself. I know you’re trying to be… edgy… but just don’t. THAT takes a big person to call yourself out like that. Kudos to you Mr. Wheaton! It gives me hope that I will stop beating myself up for my past mistakes and try to correct myself and BE BETTER every day. 

Wil Wheaton is a FANTASTIC writer. He is also an AMAZING narrator. I highly recommend reading the book while listening to him narrate. He adds a flair to the reading, more tangents to his already awesome footnotes, and his emotion punched home a realness to the book. I will score this book a 4.7/5. He’s a geek, alright! I dissociated during his computer information talk (I really tried to focus, I had no idea what he was talking about, but I DID enjoy the excitement of him geeking out). I will be finding other writings and narrations by him in the future. 

IN CONCLUSION, READ THE FRACKING BOOK!

Up Next: The Adventurer by Mika Waltari

The Egyptian by Mika Waltari

Review by: Samantha M. Siciliano

Hey friends! First of all, before you read this fun review, I would love it if you could push the blue follow button to the right of this review, maybe even add your email address to get updates, and share with a friend you think may enjoy this (or on your social media of choice)! I would greatly appreciate it!

Also, below at the end of the article is a comment box! Feel free to leave comments, let me know what you loved about the book or the review, any questions you might have, or if you have something to add! I love learning and discussing books! Please be positive and friendly to our writers! Enjoy!

Thank you for reading, sharing, and becoming a part of this reading community!

Quick Summary:

The Egyptian is a historical fiction piece following the life of an Egyptian doctor, Sinuhe. It spans Sinuhe’s life over the course of 5 Pharaohs during the 18^th century. There is plenty of political intrigue, inequality, friendships, culture, sadness, and harsh realities to mess with every emotion you have. The secondary characters are amazing at adding to the story and intertwining with Sinuhe in very interesting ways. 

The Review:

Having taught ancient history to 7^th graders for 5 years, I knew quite a bit about what I was reading. The wonders of the Nile, the lives of different classes of people within Egypt, and agriculture. However, as I tell my students there is always more to learn! I learned about many customs of Egyptians and surrounding lands, researched on medicinal practices of Egypt during the time (damn were they smart!), was constantly looking up information to see if it was true (yes there was a tradition in Mesopotamia called the Day of the False King). I loved reading about the different cultures that Sinuhe and Kaptah met throughout the book. 

I enjoyed how Sinuhe wrote his story. It was simple, but also very informative (and very well researched by Waltari). Written from his home in exile, he starts his story with the beginning of his life… or what he knows of it. I had a glimpse into his childhood. Choosing a career at such a young age must be so difficult! I told my 8^th graders when they were picking classes to not worry about what they wanted to be, but to focus on what you like learning because that is how you find the career you will want! Sinuhe was much younger than my 8^th graders when he had to make his career choice! I followed him through his education, into young adulthood as a new physician, travelling the world he knew of and making plenty of friends while enjoying new cultures, returning home as an older man, becoming physician to the Pharoah, entertaining his life as a doctor, and ending his book by describing his exile. It was well written, with plenty of adventure, mishaps, mistakes, growth (although slow sometimes), friendships, and losses. 

Sinuhe did a great job using the five senses to describe his experiences. I was able to smell the fish being cooked in the poor quarter (reminded me of my mom’s fish), I felt the connection he felt to the Nile (I grew up on a lake and there is nothing like it), the descriptions of the landscape and the world through his eyes were gorgeous and sad, I could hear the side conversations of people near him and his home, I could taste the honey cakes, the wine, the beer, the Crocodile Tail. Everything was so descriptive and enveloped me as I read. 

My favorite male secondary character was Kaptah, the slave of Sinuhe. I loved their relationship. Starting out as master and slave to growing into a full-blown friendship of love was awesome. Kaptah may not have been book smart, but DAMN was he street smart! He not only was surviving but thriving when he was able to grow Sinuhe’s income and be a free man. I need a friend like Kaptah to manage my money and make me wealthy! Seriously though, Kaptah is a lovable guy. I enjoyed reading his ramblings about how Sinuhe wasn’t doing something right or he didn’t have a wise idea and Kaptah had to set him straight. He reminded me of an octopus because he was able to somehow weasel his way into survival, whether that be by promising people what they desire or cutting and abandoning ship (like losing a limb and regenerating it). My favorite Kaptah scene was the Day of the False King. I could not stop laughing when he was king for the day and the King of Babylon had to do his bidding! 

My favorite female secondary character was Merit, the life partner of Sinuhe. I saw a lot of strength in her and she brought out the best in Sinuhe. I liked that she was an independent woman running a bar (called the Crocodile’s Tail- love that name) and made the tavern different from other taverns. I think my favorite memory of her was when she went with Sinuhe to Akhetaton with Thoth. It was cute to see them acting like a family and seeing that Merit and Sinuhe didn’t feel lonesome for a while. A common theme throughout the book is how Sinuhe is alone throughout his life, so I did enjoy the happiness that they brought each other. Another scene that was beautiful was when Sinuhe was treating many patients, and Merit joined in, helping Sinuhe in any possible way. I just pictured this going so smoothly and like they were dancing in sync with each other to heal as many people as they could. 

“As I sat there in my garden, I spoke with my heart and said ‘Be still, foolish heart; the fault is not yours. All is madness; good and evil have no meaning; greed alone, with hatred and desire, rule the world. The fault is not yours, Sinuhe, for man is man and will never change… The only good man is a dead man.’” I understand that life is in no way easy or perfect, but it was difficult to read of the tragedies and injustices. I know that as a species we have become better on paper, but there are still these negative beliefs, actions, and stereotypes that float around in our societies. Many of the societies in this book viewed women as less than men. There was rape, murder, lying, selfishness, people trying to gain the upper hand on each other, racism, classism, and war. As my therapist says, life is mostly negative, finding the positive every single day is harder, unless you are delusional. There are many more negative emotions than there are positive ones! So yes, this book was hard to read sometimes, because it made me uncomfortable, angry, and frustrated. However, at the same time, these injustices are happening every single day, right now. I do like to believe we are better, but unfortunately, the news still highlights these issues today. 

I cannot relay enough how well written and researched this book is. I will give it a solid 4.8/5. I will definitely be reading this one again!

IN CONCLUSION, READ THE FRACKING BOOK!

Up Next: Still Just a Geek by Wil Wheaton