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狼と香辛料 [Ookami to Koushinryou] (Novel) #23
狼と香辛料XXIII Spring LogVI
年代記に語り継がれるほどの活躍で、借金に悩むサロニアを救った賢狼ホロと元行商人のロレンス。その御礼の代わりにと、二人に贈られたのは、誰もがうらやむ貴族特権だった。
身に余る報酬に浮かれているロレンスを尻目に、どこかきな臭さを覚えるホロとエルサ……。そして、特権で譲り受ける土地を調べに行くと、そこは大蛇の伝説が残る、いわくつきの土地で!?
さらに、いざ、夏の山へ！ ロレンス一家のピクニックを描いた『狼と実りの夏』に加え、新たな友人と旧友の別れを描く書き下ろし短編『狼と夜明けの色』も収録。
賢狼と元行商人の幸せであり続ける物語、第６弾！
身に余る報酬に浮かれているロレンスを尻目に、どこかきな臭さを覚えるホロとエルサ……。そして、特権で譲り受ける土地を調べに行くと、そこは大蛇の伝説が残る、いわくつきの土地で!?
さらに、いざ、夏の山へ！ ロレンス一家のピクニックを描いた『狼と実りの夏』に加え、新たな友人と旧友の別れを描く書き下ろし短編『狼と夜明けの色』も収録。
賢狼と元行商人の幸せであり続ける物語、第６弾！
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 7, 2023
In Summary
Hasekura-sensei would be better off changing the subtitle of this volume from “Spring Log” to “On the Road Again.” Rather than a collection of stories involving different characters, locations, and eras, the three main stories of this book involve the same cast and take place one after the other in the aftermath of the Salonia Financial Crisis. As the author writes in the afterword, more fantasy-esque things are included than in the original series. So Lawrence and company investigate the origins of a serpent myth rather than delving into medieval economics. However, religion and politics continue to remain strong elements, especially with these stories unfolding parallel to the events of Wolf and Parchment.
The Review
At this point, the “Spring Log” subtitle for these post-marriage installments of Spice and Wolf is a bit of a misnomer. None of Spring Log VI’s four stories are set in the spring, and with the exception of the 10-page “Summer’s Harvest and Wolf,” all of the stories take place in Salonia and could have been structured as a continuous narrative. However, I doubt Spice and Wolf fans will complain about longer arcs detailing the forward progress of Holo and Lawrence’s relationship.
As mentioned above, “Summer’s Harvest and Wolf” is the odd one out in this collection. The slice-of-life interlude is little more than an anecdote as it relates a mushroom hunting excursion back when Col, Miyuri, Holo, and Lawrence still lived at the bathhouse. So far as this volume goes, the episode serves mainly to remind readers that Holo and Lawrence are empty-nesters rather than to convey a particularly noteworthy event.
The three other stories put together read more like a light novel than a short story collection. Having resolved a massive crisis for Salonia, Lawrence and company get dragged into additional local affairs. In “The Gem of the Sea and Wolf,” the inhabitants of a nearby village come to ask Lawrence for advice in elevating a highly regarded local clergyman to bishop status. At first, it seems like political wheelings and dealings of the Wolf and Parchment sort. However, after a few twists and turns, the conflict boils down to a simple matter of miscommunication between the aged clergyman and his flock. While the episode brings up many parallels between Rahden and Holo, its setup is awfully drawn out and seems mainly a convoluted way to incorporate Rahden’s “jewels of the sea” into a story set in the mountains.
Soon thereafter, the Salonia Bishop offers Lawrence a reward for his services: a noble title. Sounds too good to be true, so Elsa, Lawrence, and Holo investigate the associated estate, which, according to legend, used to be the haunt of a giant serpent. This story is interesting for a number of reasons. First, this narrative follows Elsa’s perspective. “An Old Hound’s Sigh and Wolf” actually opens with Elsa and Holo having a private chat, which allows Holo to talk bluntly about her husband, something readers don’t often get to see. Second, there’s the mystery behind the lumber tariffs associated with the estate. Finally, there’s the matter of the serpent legend. For the priestess Elsa, whose home village once worshiped a pagan snake god, tales of such a figure would evoke emotions and a train of thinking more complicated than most. Of the stories in this volume, I enjoyed this one the most.
The book closes with “The Color of Dawn and Wolf,” which is less of a standalone story and more of an extended departure scene. Holo and Lawrence bid farewell to Elsa and Tanya, their costars in Salonia, and the couple continue on their journey toward the sea. The narrative delves a bit into the implications of Holo’s much longer lifespan as they hit the road again, but the topic has been broached in previous Spring Log stories, so it’s not exactly fresh material.
Extras include the first eight pages printed in color, world map, eight black-and-white illustrations, and an afterword.
Hasekura-sensei would be better off changing the subtitle of this volume from “Spring Log” to “On the Road Again.” Rather than a collection of stories involving different characters, locations, and eras, the three main stories of this book involve the same cast and take place one after the other in the aftermath of the Salonia Financial Crisis. As the author writes in the afterword, more fantasy-esque things are included than in the original series. So Lawrence and company investigate the origins of a serpent myth rather than delving into medieval economics. However, religion and politics continue to remain strong elements, especially with these stories unfolding parallel to the events of Wolf and Parchment.
The Review
At this point, the “Spring Log” subtitle for these post-marriage installments of Spice and Wolf is a bit of a misnomer. None of Spring Log VI’s four stories are set in the spring, and with the exception of the 10-page “Summer’s Harvest and Wolf,” all of the stories take place in Salonia and could have been structured as a continuous narrative. However, I doubt Spice and Wolf fans will complain about longer arcs detailing the forward progress of Holo and Lawrence’s relationship.
As mentioned above, “Summer’s Harvest and Wolf” is the odd one out in this collection. The slice-of-life interlude is little more than an anecdote as it relates a mushroom hunting excursion back when Col, Miyuri, Holo, and Lawrence still lived at the bathhouse. So far as this volume goes, the episode serves mainly to remind readers that Holo and Lawrence are empty-nesters rather than to convey a particularly noteworthy event.
The three other stories put together read more like a light novel than a short story collection. Having resolved a massive crisis for Salonia, Lawrence and company get dragged into additional local affairs. In “The Gem of the Sea and Wolf,” the inhabitants of a nearby village come to ask Lawrence for advice in elevating a highly regarded local clergyman to bishop status. At first, it seems like political wheelings and dealings of the Wolf and Parchment sort. However, after a few twists and turns, the conflict boils down to a simple matter of miscommunication between the aged clergyman and his flock. While the episode brings up many parallels between Rahden and Holo, its setup is awfully drawn out and seems mainly a convoluted way to incorporate Rahden’s “jewels of the sea” into a story set in the mountains.
Soon thereafter, the Salonia Bishop offers Lawrence a reward for his services: a noble title. Sounds too good to be true, so Elsa, Lawrence, and Holo investigate the associated estate, which, according to legend, used to be the haunt of a giant serpent. This story is interesting for a number of reasons. First, this narrative follows Elsa’s perspective. “An Old Hound’s Sigh and Wolf” actually opens with Elsa and Holo having a private chat, which allows Holo to talk bluntly about her husband, something readers don’t often get to see. Second, there’s the mystery behind the lumber tariffs associated with the estate. Finally, there’s the matter of the serpent legend. For the priestess Elsa, whose home village once worshiped a pagan snake god, tales of such a figure would evoke emotions and a train of thinking more complicated than most. Of the stories in this volume, I enjoyed this one the most.
The book closes with “The Color of Dawn and Wolf,” which is less of a standalone story and more of an extended departure scene. Holo and Lawrence bid farewell to Elsa and Tanya, their costars in Salonia, and the couple continue on their journey toward the sea. The narrative delves a bit into the implications of Holo’s much longer lifespan as they hit the road again, but the topic has been broached in previous Spring Log stories, so it’s not exactly fresh material.
Extras include the first eight pages printed in color, world map, eight black-and-white illustrations, and an afterword.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2023
[4.5] Been a while since I last read S&W, an this certainly helped me get my fill. I cried like twice during this shit. Loneliness, life expectancy and leaving behind memories or a home have been some of the more explored themes of S&W, but I can't get enough of it. It crushes me everytime, especially with how Isuna can come up with new angles to approach them. The stories are always so planned out, every small detail ties back into the final message. The whole Rahden and giant serpent plots were 5/5 material. So very memorable and developmental. I hope Isuna takes this series to the very end, with a natural, and I mean NATURAL ending. Lawrence passing away in the loving presence of his family, with Holo left with a home and warm memories. But that's not for a long, long time. Probably.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2023
Another good tome for this continuation of Spice & Wolf, the stakes may be lower than they used to or in Wolf & Parchment, but there are still adventures to be lived, memories to be made, and romance to be romanced for Holo and Lawrence.
November 30, 2022
Perfection
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews