The Winter Boy
Sally Wiener Grotta, 2014
Pixel Hall Press
495 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780988387195
Summary
Reminiscent of Margaret Atwood, Mary Doria Russell and Ursula K. LeGuin, The Winter Boy explores important political and social issues within a dynamic, character-driven otherworld, wrapped up in masterful storytelling.
The Valley of the Alleshi is the center of all civilization, the core and foundation of centuries of peace. A cloistered society of widows, the Alleshi, has forged a peace by mentoring young men who will one day become the leaders of the land.
Each boy is paired with a single Allesha for a season of intimacy and learning, using time-honored methods that include dialog, reason and sexual intimacy. However, unknown to all but a hidden few, the peace is fracturing from pressures within and beyond, hacking at the very essence of their civilization.
Amidst this gathering political maelstrom, Rishana, a young new idealistic Allesha, takes her First Boy, Ryl, for a winter season of training. But Ryl is a “problem boy” who fights Rishana every step of the way.
At the same time, Rishana uncovers a web of conspiracies that could not only destroy Ryl, but threatens to tear their entire society apart. And a winter that should have been a gentle, quiet season becomes one of conflict, anger and danger. (From the publisher.)
Download a free excerpt.
Author Bio
Sally Wiener Grotta is a consummate storyteller, reflecting her deep humanism and appreciation for the poignancy of life. As an award-winning journalist, she has authored hundreds of articles, columns, essays and reviews for scores of glossy magazines, newspapers, journals and online publications. She has also authored numerous non-fiction books. Her fiction includes the critically acclaimed novel Jo Joe.
A member of the American Society of Journalists & Authors, Sally Wiener Grotta is a frequent speaker at conferences, schools and other organizations on storytelling, creativity, the business of writing, as well as on photography and the traditional tradespeople of her American Hands narrative portrait project. She welcomes invitations to participate in discussions with book clubs (occasionally in person, more often via Skype, Google Hangout, or phone), and to do occasional readings. You can also connect with her on Facebook. (From the publisher.)
Visit Sally on Google+ and on her blog,
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Book Reviews
A Bookwatch Reviewers’ Choice
[A] very rewarding read that raises your self-awareness in a way that only great books do… A literary triumph.
Dr. Babus Ahmed - Ajoobacats blog
The Winter Boy by Sally Wiener Grotta is a deeply thoughtful book. The comparisons to Margaret Atwood and Ursula K. LeGuin are apt. It reads more like literature than fantasy or Science Fiction… I found The Winter Boy very engrossing. I enjoyed the experience of reading the book and felt enriched by it when I was done.
Kelly Jensen - SFCrowsnest
The Winter Boy is highly readable. It captures the reader's interest immediately and swiftly carries him or her through the incredible story.
Alma Bond - Midwest Book Review
Sally Wiener Grotta has written an intriguing tale with a unique premise…. deeply enthralling.
Lynn Worton - Book Reviews by Lynn
Quite unlike anything else I have read, this second book from Sally Wiener Grotta is multi-faceted, complex and wholly intriguing.
Gaele Hince - I am Indeed
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I particularly liked the development of the characters and their response to the lessons they learned. Although set in a time that is not our own, many of the insights offered throughout the story have relevance to our world and our own humanity. I loved the myths and legends that were used as part of Ryl’s training. The Winter Boy is also a suspenseful tale and I always returned to my reading, eager to find out what would happen next….This is a story that will stay with me for a long time; thank you Sally Wiener Grotta for writing such a wonderful, thought provoking story.
Angela Thomas - Fantastic Books
The Winter Boy is a study on human character, and an interesting lesson on the psychology of the pupil as well as the teacher…. The prose is lyrical, though straightforward. There are elements of philosophy, spirituality, and sensuality that are thought provoking, disturbing, even. It is a deep, all-encompassing story, well imagined and exotic.
Michelle Bowles - What Is That Book About
Discussion Questions
1. If you were to create a culture or society from scratch, with the hope of it being one of peace, how would you have gone about doing it?
2. What fatal flaws did the Alleshine world have? Or are the flaws within human beings?
3. How many names have you had in your lifetime? How did they represent different relationships or different aspects of you and your life at the time?
4. What do you think of Kiv? What do you think of she did what she did? Was it entirely out of love for the Peace, or other more personal reasons - or both? What would you have done, if you felt the way she did?
5. What do you think of the idea of using sexuality and intimacy to teach young men how to be leaders? How have the deep bonds you have shared with special people in your life changed you? What did you learn from them? Was the depth of your learning and alteration related to the depth of the relationship?
6. If you were an Allesha or Alleman, what would you do to save the Peace?
7. What do you think of the Guardian Alleshi? Are they necessary? Or do they subvert the essence of the Alleshine Peace?
8. Can you save lives by taking lives? Does preparing for war assure that there will be a war? Or does the nature of humanity require always being ready to protect yourself and your loved ones?
9. What do you think would have happened to Jinet if she hadn't become an Allesha?
10. What makes her the right fit for Ryl? Would Ryl have become an Alleman with some other Allesha? Was there anything unique about their pairing, or was it the system of training that gave him what he needed to mature?
11. How would you define Ryl/Dov's love for Tayar? What are the differences and similarities to his love for Lilla? Can one man love two women? Can a boy be in love with a woman older than his mother?
12. Do you blame Mistral for starting a war? What would you have done in a similar situation?
13. Was Caith wise or foolish to confront Kiv about her plans? Why? If you were Caith, would you have released the guns?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)