John Davis
Special to THE DAILY

Lakota Plains Indians believed tobacco smoke parted the veil separating the physical from the world of dreams. Such an otherworldly reality is suggested in “A Twittering of Sparrows” by Gray Sutherland.

This remarkable book, at once quest, mystery, psychological study and inquiry into dimensions just beyond our grasp, is incredibly satisfying on several levels.

Sutherland, former Canadian civil servant, literary consultant and master of many languages, invites us to follow intriguing guides along this journey of enchantment, or is it rather the opposite, a paradox Dante might have suggested?

We begin with hapless Bill Newman, unemployed and directionless.

On an apparent dilettante’s urge, he sets off in pursuit of an odd story about the disappearance of a medieval cleric.

His hope was only to fill boredom’s void, but recurrent, inexplicable encounters with events, people, and documents lend an aura of deus ex machina to his quest.

Thus a tale begins, which can only be described as redolent of Umberto Eco in its mystery, or Jorge Luis Borges in its intelligence and strange evocations.

Magic box

Along the way we have a recurrent metaphor as compass. Newman’s German aunt gave him a tiny magic box when he was 7.

The box opened to another box, then another, until the treasure within was revealed. We also balance her invocation of Germany as the land of thinkers and poets to this story’s counterpoint of fact and ethereal mystery. Such is Newman’s search.

He befriends a librarian whose periodic advice guides him to an ancient monastery in the mysterious vastness of modern Germany.

There he learns from wizened monks of causes that might have led his subject to vanish. On then to Italy, where Newman’s encounters with relics and insightful intermediaries direct him further.

After wondrous sojourns to ancient Damascus, there to discover even more clues to his search, we discover at last what was suggested by the magic box.

Sutherland can write simultaneously at several levels. The plot is engaging, yet serves only as a latticework to develop questions of right and wrong, or mystery and ethereal realities, which the various characters evoke.

The reader is astounded at the breadth of language facility Sutherland demonstrates. Each persona speaks true to his character, lending believability to the story, allowing a natural flow.

Intimations of dread, as well as enchantment, are satisfactorily resolved; the metaphor is followed through to the prize — but what a prize! Throughout, the twittering of sparrows with their attendant wonders guides the reader as much as the questor.

In short, this book is a work of the finest literature, a tribute to his generation.

I was delighted with the whole of this story’s development, artful verbal usage, and resolution.

Choose a quiet night for this book, and it will remain with you forever.

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