Burnished Barbarians

While the Burnished Barbarians can enjoyably be read as a simple fantasy, an adventure story, a blood and thunder book with extensive (but hopefully not excessive) raw sex and violence, or a simple coming of age story, the novel contains much more. Like the fairy tale, myth, or legend, this work comments on and criticizes features of our present society. Behind the protective veneer of describing some totally fictitious or distant past, the critic can censure more sharply, contending his writing shows only weaknesses or evils occurring in a some alien world or a completely different era. Vitriolic opponents hesitate responding lest they acknowledge some injustice of a similar sort exists today. An observant reader will notice and reflect on the corruption hidden beneath the shiny burnish, perhaps challenging the author's viewpoint or offering thoughtful, spirited defenses. The less discerning or more casual reader may enjoy the adventures related and look no deeper. Which way you choose to read it, the author hopes you find the work instructive, challenging, or entertaining.