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A review by satyridae
The Kingdom on the Waves by M.T. Anderson
5.0
Another masterpiece from Anderson. This is the second and final book about Octavian Nothing, and it tells the story of the American Revolution from a unique viewpoint. The meaning of liberty is slippery, indeed.
Octavian is a slave who does work for both sides of the conflict at different points. His companions are achingly real. My favorite character is perhaps Bono, who is by turns hilarious and profane. Here's my favorite bit of Bono dialogue, where he is talking to Octavian, who is ill.
"Sweet mercy in a firkin!" swore Bono. "Not another word of your damn metaphorizing! By God, don't you have vomiting to do?"
The story is impeccably researched and searingly hard to stomach, infused with sadness and intellect. Highly recommended, but do read the first one before you pick this up.
The only drawback, for me, is the lingering tendency to talk in a slightly stilted Octavian manner.
Octavian is a slave who does work for both sides of the conflict at different points. His companions are achingly real. My favorite character is perhaps Bono, who is by turns hilarious and profane. Here's my favorite bit of Bono dialogue, where he is talking to Octavian, who is ill.
"Sweet mercy in a firkin!" swore Bono. "Not another word of your damn metaphorizing! By God, don't you have vomiting to do?"
The story is impeccably researched and searingly hard to stomach, infused with sadness and intellect. Highly recommended, but do read the first one before you pick this up.
The only drawback, for me, is the lingering tendency to talk in a slightly stilted Octavian manner.