The WIglaff Tales (The Wiglaff Chronicles Book 1)
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E. W. Farnsworth is now working on an epic poem, The Voyage of the Spaceship Arcturus, about the future of humankind when humans, avatars and artificial intelligences must work together to instantiate a second Eden after the Chaos Wars bring an end to life on Earth.
For updates, please see www.ewfarnsworth.com.
Reader’s Guide
1. In the context of this novel, what character attributes make a shaman like Ugard? What attributes make a warrior like Mordru? Do any of their attributes overlap? Is it surprising that Ugard would marry Mordru’s widow? Why or why not?
2. Women warriors are a British tradition going back at least to the historical heroine Boadicea. Using Winna as a point of departure, explain why women warriors were necessary to defeat the Roman military. Why would she and her woman warriors have been kept secret even from the people they were protecting until the final contest?
3. Religion plays a significant role in this novel. In fact, the religious questions are focused at a number of points through the character Alma, the Roman priestess of Mercury. Discuss the various religions explored in this novel. How do religions contrast with the evil tenor of the Roman Empire in its decline?
4. The outcome of war is sometimes determined by weather. Discuss with respect to the battles in this novel where weather is a weapon, but expand if you can to the defeat of the Spanish Armada or the landing at Normandy Beach during World War II.
5. Why do you think the Romans never defeated the Caledonian tribes who lived to the north of ‘Hadrian’s Wall’? Keep in mind that the Romans conquered most of Britannia.
6. Do you know any men like Wiglaff? Do you know any women like Winna? Does it make sense that these characters should come from the same parents? Why or why not?
7. Ugard tells Wiglaff that he has skills that surpass those of the elder shaman. Compare and contrast the two shamans. Then compare both with Mornow.
8. What role does black magic play in the novel? Is the shaman tradition enriched or debased when Wiglaff uses black magic against the Romans?
9. Wiglaff’s family is very important to him, even though he is an outcast figure with a private life outside the village where he was born. Discuss his relationship with his family throughout his life. What key milestones mark changes in his roles? Is he a good role model?
10. Wiglaff’s attitudes towards Alma and the two Christians Peter and Simon suggest tolerance rather than narrow bigotry. Discuss Wiglaff’s intellectual challenges when he confronts religious figures with other perspectives than his shamanism.
11. Powerful women characters surround Wiglaff, but they are very different from each other. Discuss with particular emphasis on Winna, Onna, Onya, Boadicea and Alma. Does he have a good or bad attitude toward women?
12. How is the tale of Wiglaff relevant to our age? Point out similarities and differences between our political, military and religious context and his.
13. Corruption and cruelty characterized the rule of Septimius Severus. From evidence in the novel, discuss how turmoil within the imperial family played a significant role against the Emperor’s plan for conquest of northern Britannia.
14. Relationships between women are crucial in this novel. Discuss with respect to the relationships of Boadicea with, respectively, Alma and Winna.
15. Mentorship is essential for the development of a shaman. How does mentorship work as the shamanistic power migrates from Ugard to Wiglaff to Mornow?
A Note from the Publisher
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading E.W. Farnsworth’s first book in The Wiglaff Chronicles: The Wiglaff Tales.
We feel the best way to show appreciation for an author is by leaving a review. You may do so on our website: www.ZimbellHousePublishing.com, Goodreads.com, Amazon.com, or Kindle.com.
We hope you enjoyed this collection of his short stories.
Other Works by E.W. Farnsworth
John Fulghum Mysteries
John Fulghum Mysteries Vol. II
Engaging Rachel
Pirate Tales
Baro Xaimos: A Novel of the Gypsy Holocaust
Fairy Tales and Other Fanciful Short Stories
Among Water Fowl and Other Entertainments
The Black Marble Griffon & Other Disturbing Tales
Coming Soon
John Fulghum Mysteries, Vol. III: Blue is for Murder
John Fulghum Mysteries, Vol. IV: The Perfect Teacher
John Fulghum Mysteries, Vol. V: Finding Harry Diamond
Book Two of The Wiglaff Chronicles: The Emergence of the Shaman