One girl's mission to understand the forces that divided her world

"Alysa of the Fields"
by Tina Field Howe

on WSKG Radio's OFF THE PAGE
L I V E Tuesday, March 6 at 1pm
(Repeating at 7pm)

          In an era of computer games, action figures and movies that defy gravity, young people have not abandoned good ol' books. Fantasy and science fiction are especially popular, as are books that deal the challenges of growing up in an environment that sometimes seems strange and threatening. And if it's a really good story it helps if there's a promise of more to come. All these genres, themes and promise whirl about "Alysa of the Fields", an action- and emotion-packed 300-page novel that's especially aimed at midlings.
          "Midlings" is one of the words coined for this book by author Tina Field Howe to refer to those adolescents no longer "younglings". The characters inhabit a planet called Xunar-kun (pronounced shoo-nar-KOON, according to the glossary in the back of the book). Xunar-kun earlier suffered massive destruction - and event known as the Cat'clysm - but life has settled down and people can again scrape by. The gentle Field Folk carry on their lives in a bucolic environment and a hierarchical society, guided by the ancient teachings of Father Gord'n. But they are not alone in the world. Across rugged terrain the Trailmen exist in a civilization that is hardly more advanced. The only contact between Field Folk and Trailmen is a seasonal trading ritual, conducted in sign language since they supposedly don't speak the same language.
          The sweet and stagnant life of the Field Folk is disrupted by the apparent murder of one of the skilled Traders. His seventeen year-old daughter Alysa must take on new responsibilities in her family, and seeks also to fill her father's role by becoming the first female Trader. Her arranged marriage to Orryn - who is learning to be a Teller, a kind of griot or oral historian - is cancelled. But her new occupation brings her in contact with the Trailmen, and despite sharing her people's suspicion of the foreign tribe, Alysa enters their territory and is nursed back to health by them after a harrowing trek.

 It seemed that fielders knew very little about survival; perhaps there was no need, as it was known that they preferred to live in large, stationary dwellings with many people around for comfort. But alone, without existing shelter, they were paralyzed. This Fielder demonstrated that very deficiency. Alysa would not have lived through the night if that morning Szaren was away from camp as the Trailmen packers returned from leaving the goods at the Tradeground. Word went around that the persistent girl had returned. A few speculated as to what surprise she was hiding away to try to wrangle the best trade this time!
                                           -- from Alysa of the Fields

          Alysa discovers that the Trailmen and the Field Folk are kin, holding different beliefs and practices but actually speaking the same language. They are all threatened by the M'raudas, sub-human creatures who have been kidnapping the younglings. The two nations must form an alliance and, in a violent battle, they conquer the M'raudas. Meanwhile, Orryn has discovered suppressed works of Father Gord'n that purport to reveal the destruction of the glorious cities of Xunar-kun thousands of years earlier. "Alysa of the Fields" is a novel of action and romance with political, religious and philosophical dimensions. It is also "Book One of the Tellings of Xunar-kun", initiating a series by Tina Field Howe.
          Tina is a native of Waverly, NY and is an artist as well as a writer. She wrote and illustrated "Snailsworth: a slow little story" in both prose and verse, and also created the cover art for "Alysa of the Fields". Her work extends to graphic design, business communication, digital art, photography and even stained glass windows. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
          Tina Field Howe joins Bill Jaker on OFF THE PAGE for a visit to Xunar-kun and an exploration of imaginative fiction for young people (though readers into their 80s have read and enjoyed Alysa's adventures). To join in the conversation, phone during the 1:00 PM live broadcast to 1-888/359-9754 or post a message to WSKG.Radio@Gmail.com.

NEXT TIME: On Tuesday, March 20 a special OFF THE PAGE program will feature two guests who have written memoirs of facing up to life's crises. Sharon Parenteau of Endicott was diagnosed with terminal cancer seven years ago and has so far published two spirited volumes about her experience: "I Cry for the Little Girl" and "I Can Do This, I Can Die". She is at work on her third book. Jemma Macera of Ithaca wrote "Lost and Found: Transcending Alzheimer's" to share her determination to roll back the onset of dementia. In separate pre-recorded interviews they tell, with wit and intensity, how life has changed and how words can be therapeutic.

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