Satyrday

by Steven Bauer

New York:: Berkley Putnam., 1980. Near Fine with red price on front end paper in Very good dust jacket with alittle wear to spine ends.. First printing. Author's first novel. A saytr, a boy, a sharp tounged raven, and a magical snow fox band together to stop and evil owl's attempt to rule in a world of eternal darkness.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Birds, Speculative Fiction

223 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful little book. It's easy to read, the writing being almost lyrical. Unlike a lot of fantasy I've read, the scenes are described in fewer, yet more detailed words, giving you more of an idea of the atmosphere than the exact landscape...it makes it more like a dream. There's a sense of philosophy seeping through it, the idea that everyone has their own story, one which only they were meant to know completely. A lot is placed on the importance of balance as well, everything needing its opposite to maintain harmony.

Some of the praise on the book cover compares it to Watership Down. While I can see that, a little, I'd compare it more to a mix of The Last Unicorn and Bambi...especially Bambi - besides just the element of nature there, the original also featured some philosophical life lessons (another fantastic story which everyone should read!). Being a fan of all three of those books, I was surprised I'd never heard of Satyrday before. It was just a random paperback I found at the local used bookstore. I really did like it. It's pretty simple, but beautiful, and...it makes me want to draw. Books that make me want to draw the scenes or characters that I read in them are, to me, the best books in the world.

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******The Rest of This is FULL of SPOILERS ******
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I saw an earlier review saying that the owl villain was a little disappointing, that there really didn't seem to be all that much to be afraid of. But...he was able to control the winds, and the winds that he'd called previously tore families apart, killing many. So that seems like quite a bit for the animals to be afraid of. He had some sort of...force...even if just of will. He had that ability to make others do his bidding, which is a power you see people use all the time in tales involving human antagonists. It's when all the animals realize that their combined efforts are greater than his that things really turn around - the falcons realize they don't like being bossed around, the ravens notice his lack of true justice when he starts turning on their own, and the others just...don't give up. Plus, I will point out that anyone who has ever met a great horned owl up close & personal will know that they are scary birds - fantastic, glorious, and ornary. As for the protagonist, Derin, sometimes he was irritating, but he evolves - he is still a teenager, afterall, with no knowledge of who he really is. Vera, the nyph/fox seemed a little shrill occasionally, but she changed a little herself (and not just her physical self). Matthew and Deidre were my favorites, the satyr and his wish that he didn't have to do any of the things asked of him, longing to just go back to his meadowlands, back to just being wild and not caring about anything...and the smart, defiant, vengeful orphaned raven, who helped put everything into action. Everyone was more of an ensemble cast in this tale, which was nice...they all played their part. So, even if a character got a ltitle annoying, they weren't around for long anyway!

[Andrü · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book is 100% vibes and aesthetics and 0% plot. it's actually insane how little impact the "heroes" have on resolving the main conflict, which they set out to do with no plan and no particular skills. they never reach the big bad guy who is slain so quickly by non characters you might miss it. just a really weird story that was a chore to get through.

ps one of the protagonists being a satyr has just as little impact on the story as anything else the character does. and what kind of name for a satyr is matthew? 💀

[Eric F · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Keep a leash on your runaway tongue..." Meet the hero of this story: Deirdre - bravest of the ravens. She steers the course of this story and changes every character's path. I loved this book as a kid and in moving through my old boxes, gave it a re-reading. It's aged beautifully. Reading it now, I thought a lot of the "Guardians of Ga'Hoole" which I've loved as well, although that is a much more recent tale. From the outset with the Owl's ballsy kidnapping of the dreaming moon all the way through the terrifying muck of the endless swamps and dead forests - beautiful, succinct writing. I especially loved the play between the satyr, Matthew and both his charge, the human, Derin, and the silver fox/nymph, Vera. But it's the raven, Deirdre, whose determination, focus and sense of what will be lost if the Owl prevails that captures my heart. She never stops pressing for the freedom of each and every creature in the world. Again and again and again - she puts all others above herself. To quote the moon, "I have learned about humility and bravery. ... I have learned that there are creatures in this world who care about something other than themselves." Spellbinding.

[Taiylor Mundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was difficult to get into, but then I found myself really invested in the story. I would rate it more around a 3.5. His writing is quite beautiful, but can be slow at times.

[Peter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Clunky prose, uninteresting characters (with names that broke my suspension of disbelief upon reading them).

Nope, couldn't be bothered to finish it.

[Goose · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a 2.5 but not a 2. First novel that reads like a first novel. The author is also a poet and it's obvious that he was going for poetic prose in parts of the book. Instead of poetic the novel comes across as overwritten. While parts of the journey of the satyr and the boy and the fox and the crow were exciting, other parts were overly long and draggy. Nothing like a journey to rescue the moon, that has been taken hostage, only to have the moon be rescued by none of your original main characters. Am I the only reader who also thought more time should have been given to the rescued people. I think less time could have been given to the journey and more time given to the boy meeting the people for the first time. I'm being extra generous because I don't tend to read a lot of fantasy novels.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you know the Sun and Moon are sisters?
I cherish this book. I found myself completely immersed in the story, mourning for and cheering on characters as the story developed.
I wept at one point.
The poetic dialog and descriptions of scenery are like none I've experienced before.
"Keep a leash on your runaway tongue."
The emotions expressed can be felt.
If I could rate this 10 stars, I would.
Incredible story with interesting characters.
It's definitely for fans of fantasy and poetry.
The only human is the narrator, who is guided by a Satyr and rebellious Raven. The antagonists are fellow Ravens led by a malicious great Owl intent on keeping the world dark and without much life.
The scenes are easy to see, hear, to even slightly smell and touch in some cases.
So far, my favorite work of fiction.

[Belinda Mellor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've owned this book for years, but only just got around to reading it. I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would, though I'm not sure what made me think that. Perhaps it was the illustrations, which really did nothing for me. The story is quite poignant and the language and descriptions evocative. There are lovely patterns suggested in the writing, with a lot conveyed by being unsaid. An easy read yet with great depth.

[Kimba72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book years ago and I've never forgotten it. The moon being captured and a crow and a satyr attempting to free her....dark, imaginative and just a wonderful read. I had to search high and low to find a copy as it is not out of print but it was so worth the effort.

[Jon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Far too slow, couldn't finish it. Title's the best part.

[C. D. Brinker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every summer the local library has a used book sale which is a killer deal for any book fanatic. For a mere ten dollars you buy a box and cram as many books in it as possible. It's been a year since I've last been and I'm still trying to get through the box. In fact, I have too many books as is and tend to just reach for whatever one strikes my fancy at the particular point in time. The latest book was Satyrday, by Steven Bauer. I remember picking this book up at the library book sale because it was A) sitting amidst the science-fiction/fantasy table and B) had an interesting cover . . . yes, yes, I judge books by their cover. Who doesn't? I must admit that a part of me was leery about this book, simply because I never even heard of this author, but since it was going to cost nothing more than a little space within a ten dollar box, I thought: why not? And it took only one year for me to get around to reading it.

My initial suspicion about the author proved correct. What little research I've done on the author proves that he's (more or less) a one-time-novelist. I remember seeing somewhere that he was working on another novel, but seeing how Satyrday was published in 1980, I'm not going to anxiously anticipate another novel anytime soon. Not only has been thirty years since he's written a novel, in sincere honesty, he's not a very good author.

That's not too say that I didn't enjoy this book . . . which, well I didn't really, but neither did I hate it. In truth, I've read far better and I've read far worse. Overall, I generally liked the writing style, though it did become tedious at times. Apparently, the author is a poet (or at least was), and Satyrday is rich in poetic phrasing. Slant rhymes, alliteration and of course lush imagery are on every page of this book. But as I said, this heavy poetical influence did become rather blase, oftentimes having a rather dull affect during climatic scenes.

As for the climax, and with regard to any scene within the book, Satyrday felt a bit stilted, yet hackneyed. The characters were not terribly fascinating and seemed far too dramatic than was needed . . . of course, by dramatic I don't mean individual-character mannerisms or actions, but their overall presence within the story. For example, the evil owl which wished to cloak the world in eternal darkness and proclaim himself as ruler . . . a rather weak antagonist. Weak because there was little description of his wickedness. He kidnapped the moon, he wanted to kill the sun and he did banish a few creatures here and there, but overall he wasn't as villainous as he should have been. Most of his wicked attributes were thoughts and plans for action. Also, it was hard to view the owl as a convincing antagonist when it was difficult recognizing the main protagonist. In fact, every other character within the book seemed to be the protagonist, all of whom finally brought the evil owl's reign of terror to an end. Ergo, was it really an evil owl or an isolated character with opposing ideals?

Without getting too deep into a plot synopsis, the idea behind the story was appealing. An evil owl kidnaps the moon and a boy and a satyr and all manner of critters set forth on adventure to rescue the moon. And on the way there's a lot of poetic vices, but not enough literary compliments to keep one's attention. It wasn't a difficult read by any means, in fact it's a rather short novel, but from the very first few pages I knew it was going to be a novel which I would trudge through simply to finish it.

[Emily J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful story. Found myself rooting for and mourning characters.
The moon is captured from the night sky, by an army of crows and vultures led by a diabolical Owl.
I couldn't help but mark the poetic way emotions, thoughtful dialogue and settings are often described
I have purchased one for my mother (whom lost her copy but reccomended it to me,)
a copy for myself, and one for a friend I know appreciates great writing.
I will be buying another copy to loan out to others, interested.
It's a bit advanced for kids but a smart one with a dictionary may be able to get through it and love it.
My new favorite novel.

[Blue Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is one of the only books i've read more than once in my life. i think i've read it at least five times, now the cover is gone. an imagination image creator & a fine story for all ages.

[Eilonwy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this ages ago, but I recall it as beautifully written and heartbreakingly sad. I'm not sure I have the nerve to read it again on account of that.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

All I can say is... Man, this was BAD.

[Kiki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember liking this book, though I can no longer remember the plot. Hmmm... maybe it's time to re-read.

[Robin Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

what would happen if someone took the moon?