Book reviews Part 1

The book that I have read is entitled "The Tin Princess". It was written by Philip Pullman. The book describes a political struggle between Germany and Austria over nickel in the mines of the small country of Raskavia. The book is very intriguing. There is never a dull moment. The main characters are Becky, a translator, Jim, a detective and Adelaide, wife of Prince Rudolf of Raskavia. The book intrigues because, with the background in a fictional country of Razkavia, there are plots against the throne, mad princes locked away in dark grottos and assassinations.

The story begins with Prince Rudolf, who is going incognito at the time due to his secret marriage with Adelaide, hiring Becky as Adelaide's language tutor over the phone. Upon meeting Becky, Adelaide reveals her husband's identity and they become fast friends. Not long after, Prince Rudolf returns and a time bomb in his carriage goes off. Fortunately, the prince gets away unscratched. He sends Jim, who had been secretly watching over Adelaide at the time, to catch the culprits. Not long after, the crown prince of Raskavia is murdered and Count Thalgau is sent to get Prince Rudolf to return. Soon, the elderly king of Raskavia passes away and Rudolf is crowned king. There is a ritual where the new king has to bear the flag of Raskavia to the Rock where a famous battle took place. Rudolf is shot dead and Adelaide carries the flag to the Rock and is crowned the ruler. After gaining the support of the people, she has to contend with Austria and Germany which had sent their negotiators to persuade her to relinquish more nickel. Through flattery and other means, she subtly sways the negotiators to accept her terms in the form of a treaty.

In the mean time, Jim discovers the original crown prince, Leopold, who was long thought deceased but had actually been imprisoned. He was apparently shifted due to his captors wanting to use him to seize the throne. Unfortunately, the long years of seclusion had driven him mad. After securing the aid of Leopold's wife, Carmen Ruiz, Jim and his gang of students try to spring Leopold from his cell. But, their plans are foiled and Jim is captured. Around the same time, Adelaide discovers that her food is poisoned through the death of her kitten. The chamberlain captures her and Becky, and attempts to stage a coup. Fortunately, the trio are held in the same building and Jim manages to spring all of them. They meet up with the students and they take the historical flag of Raskavia to show that Raskavia is still free. While escaping on a train, it crashes due to sabotage and Becky is injured. They make it to the Rock. Otto von Schwartberg, Rudolf's cousin, along with Count Thalgu and some men, come to offer their aid. During their imprisonment, the Germans had invaded and had tracked Adelaide's gang to the Rock. A bloody battle ensues. In the end, the trio are sent to hospital victorious. But they soon find out that Adelaide has been painted in bad light by the press and that Bleichroder, Prince Bismark's banker, had overturned the treaty to outflank the German parliament in a struggle. The author failed to introduce Price Bismark properly - this is a weakness or an oversight.

The hero, Jim Taylor, is a strange combination of a gambler and private detective who loves excitement, danger and violence.
The heroine is 22-year-old Adelaide who is beautiful, tough and illiterate, and who is secretly married to Prince Rudolf of Razkavia. When Adelaide becomes Queen, she does the job surprisingly well. With enemies plotting against her, Jim and Becky have their hands full as they try to stay ahead of the schemers.

Philip Pullman's fluent and descriptive story-telling and his wealth of the details bring the period to life. The story concocted by him is a good read and held my attention to the end in an admirable fashion. I would recommend it for people of all ages who would enjoy this classic story which cleverly weaves mystery, romance, bravery and adventure in a complicated yet believable plot. The story champions the trait of emotional toughness in the face of no easy choices and no safe paths. All of us can learn a bit about life from this make-believe tiny kingdom of Raskavia caught up in the empire building of Germany and Austria before World War I. Perhaps, the greatest lesson is that it tells the painful truth that good does not always triumph over evil but good people can still act courageously and honourably. I am touched.