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lauraevwalker's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
thomas_6's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.0
Comprendi che la lettura non è nelle tue corde quando già prima della metà perdi qualsiasi interesse per le vicende narrate e per i destini dei personaggi. Non sono mai riuscito a farmi catturare dalla storia - ad eccezione dell'ultima parte, in Egitto, l'unica in grado di suscitare in me in minimo di curiosità, qualcosa di diverso dalla più sconfortante noia e delusione. Non ho mai provato alcuna emozione nei confronti dei personaggi, forse disprezzo e disgusto per Tarrik e Tolomeo, che comunque sarebbe in ogni caso naturale. Lo stile di scrittura l'ho percepito troppo pesante, un mattone. Faticavo a proseguire, necessitavo più volte di una pausa.
Avevo grandi aspettative, leggendo la trama in quarta di copertina. Aveva tutte le carte in regola per diventare uno dei miei romanzi preferiti, ma si è rivelato infine una cocente amarezza. Avrei assegnato una stella, ma ne ho aggiunta una giusto per l'impegno della Mitchison (e per i capitoli ambientanti in Egitto).
Tuttavia non comprendo ancora due cose: 1) dove sarebbe il fantasy? Giusto qualche sporadico e rarissimo accenno, raffazzonato e posticcio. Poteva benissimo non esserci, e risultare uno storico puro. 2) come fanno a vederci la Rowling in queste pagine? Ma seriamente?
Avevo grandi aspettative, leggendo la trama in quarta di copertina. Aveva tutte le carte in regola per diventare uno dei miei romanzi preferiti, ma si è rivelato infine una cocente amarezza. Avrei assegnato una stella, ma ne ho aggiunta una giusto per l'impegno della Mitchison (e per i capitoli ambientanti in Egitto).
Tuttavia non comprendo ancora due cose: 1) dove sarebbe il fantasy? Giusto qualche sporadico e rarissimo accenno, raffazzonato e posticcio. Poteva benissimo non esserci, e risultare uno storico puro. 2) come fanno a vederci la Rowling in queste pagine? Ma seriamente?
p9ng's review against another edition
4.0
Set in the year 228 BCE, the leaders of a mythical black sea kingdom engage in a decades long epic series of journeys involving magic, philosophy, warfare, statesmanship. Vivid detail and imaginings of the life of the times. Quite bloody. Dovetails with the historical record of the times. The dialog is a bit old fashioned, in places. Those who find this 654 page novel daunting will want to read [a:Naomi Mitchison|129487|Naomi Mitchison|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1293841343p2/129487.jpg]'s short novel [b:Travel Light|827276|Travel Light|Naomi Mitchison|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1354903407l/827276._SX50_.jpg|1401906].
battlepoet's review against another edition
5.0
I FINALLY finished this book. I picked up the ebook without checking the length. This was much longer than "Travel Light", be warned.
This book follows the pagan life of the titular Corn King, Tarrik, and his Spring Queen, Erif Der. You witness their courtship, marriage, fertility rites, and childrearing. The book tackles Hellenic paganism, Kemeticism (Egyptian paganism), an anti-slavery revolution, and Stoicism. This book was less charming than "Travel Light" but so much more deep, complex, and entangled. You really see the bonds of men and men (queer included), women and women (queer not included), and men and women examined. Friendship and chosen family are subtler themes in the book.
For all that you see pagan rites and witchcraft in this book, I really felt I was reading a book about people and the complexities of human life: joy, betrayal, illness, and death. That said, if you're a pagan, you'll be extra interested in this book!
This book follows the pagan life of the titular Corn King, Tarrik, and his Spring Queen, Erif Der. You witness their courtship, marriage, fertility rites, and childrearing. The book tackles Hellenic paganism, Kemeticism (Egyptian paganism), an anti-slavery revolution, and Stoicism. This book was less charming than "Travel Light" but so much more deep, complex, and entangled. You really see the bonds of men and men (queer included), women and women (queer not included), and men and women examined. Friendship and chosen family are subtler themes in the book.
For all that you see pagan rites and witchcraft in this book, I really felt I was reading a book about people and the complexities of human life: joy, betrayal, illness, and death. That said, if you're a pagan, you'll be extra interested in this book!
evakristin's review
5.0
It's been a long time since I read a book I found as absorbing as this! If you find Mitchison's narrating style a bit difficult in the beginning, like I did, I recommend you keep going. I got used to it, and the story she told was absolutely worth it.
I've read several books set in ancient Rome, quite a few set in ancient Egypt, some set in ancient Greece but, maybe not surprisingly, none set in ancient Scythia. As Mitchison writes in her introduction we don't know much about them, in my opinion this makes what she has made up even more impressive. That she manages to keep herself from explaining too much makes everything more believable. I enjoyed her description of the life in Marob immensely.
As someone interested in history an archaeology I am of course familiar with the Spartans (or Spatiates, as she calls them). Who hasn't heard about brave king Leonidas and the battle at Thermopylae? But brave king Kleomenes and his communist project was new to me, and deeply fascinating.
And, of course, the decadent Egyptian court is familiar territory.
I'm impressed by Mitchison's open mindedness and modern attitude when it comes to sexuality and gender equality. She must have been quite a marvellous person, writing this in the 1930's!
I've read several books set in ancient Rome, quite a few set in ancient Egypt, some set in ancient Greece but, maybe not surprisingly, none set in ancient Scythia. As Mitchison writes in her introduction we don't know much about them, in my opinion this makes what she has made up even more impressive. That she manages to keep herself from explaining too much makes everything more believable. I enjoyed her description of the life in Marob immensely.
As someone interested in history an archaeology I am of course familiar with the Spartans (or Spatiates, as she calls them). Who hasn't heard about brave king Leonidas and the battle at Thermopylae? But brave king Kleomenes and his communist project was new to me, and deeply fascinating.
And, of course, the decadent Egyptian court is familiar territory.
I'm impressed by Mitchison's open mindedness and modern attitude when it comes to sexuality and gender equality. She must have been quite a marvellous person, writing this in the 1930's!
helenmcclory's review
3.0
Phew! What a long book. And quite entertaining, with its focus on the alienness of the Ancient world, its trials and rituals and vast journeys. The epilogue is the only real scuff mark on this. I might have given it a little higher other than that - still, it's an achievement of a novel, worth it if that world appeals to you (it does to me as a classics student back in the day).
kevinjfellows's review
4.0
This was an unexpected find at my library. It's epic, yet intimate. The emotion builds subtly until you suddenly realize how much you care about some of the characters.
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