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The Platypus Reads Part XIX

In honor of Michael Ward's groundbreaking new book, "Planet Narnia," I've decided to post my own seven heavens of summer reading. Each book is selected to follow the virtues of a particular planet in Medieval cosmology.

Jupiter: The Trojan War by Barrey Strauss

This is a master-work that blurs the line between history and novel in the vein of Jonnathan Spence's Treason by the Book. Strauss combines the evidence from latest dig at Hisarlik with Homer's text, and a strong, swift human sympathy to create a narrative overflowing with regal tragedy. The strong narrative structure makes for a very pleasant summer read that won't bog you down in a mire of scholarly prose.

Mars: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice-Burrows

In keeping with its title, this book overflows with Martial virtues. It's also a quick read, and a nice, refreshing break from today's 700+ page sci-fi behemoths.

Sol: The Book of Lost Tales Volume II by J.R.R. Tolkien

For those interested in achieving a state of scholarly heaven this summer, I can't stress the value of reading the "Lost Tales" enough. They are a Tolkien scholar's dream come true, allowing the reader a peak into Tolkien's world at the instant of its creation.

Luna: The Marble Faun by Nathaniel Hawthorne

As proper to a descendant of the Puritans, this book is about sin. Set among the decaying remains of ancient Rome and the decadence of nineteenth century Italy, Hawthorne explores the interplay between the immutable stone archetypes of his setting and the all too mutable human hearts of his characters in a reenactment of the Fall of Man.

Mercury: The Odyssey by Homer

The original "return of the king." Homer presents us with an intricately woven tale of a lost heart seeking its true home.

Venus: Serenity: Those Left Behind by Joss Weadon et al.

Those who have seen Firefly know that Joss Weadon's space opera is pretty far from your standard sci-fi shoot-em-up. At the core of the work are the bonds of love that develop between the members of the "created family" that make Serenity their home. Of course, it's got plenty of romance too.

Saturn: Hellboy by Mike Mignola et al.

You know that you've found the book of catastrophes when the main character's destiny is to end the world with his big red right hand. However, it also possesses that other most Saturnine characteristic of being one of the few comic books that makes me really sit down and think.

How about you? What are your "seven heavens" of summer reading?

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