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fishbelly 's review for:
Under Heaven
by Guy Gavriel Kay
Hmmmm, I'm going to have to let this one sink in a bit more before I can place it amongst Kay's other novels.
Did I like it? Of course. I love Guy Gavriel Kay. As usual, his depiction of historical settings (this time 8th century China) with a twist was spot on. Very enjoyable.
But for some reason, at times Under Heaven seemed to be going through the Kay "motions" for me, as if he felt he has to have female characters who are stronger than history would expect, star-crossed lovers, characters who must make impossible choices, etc.
Sure, I still dug it. But Kay is veering close to formulaic on this one--not quite, but close.
I think my biggest problem with this particular novel is one of plotting. Under Heaven depicts a time of change, when the emperor is old and the kingdom will be different soon. Shen Tai is an ordinary man thrust into the middle of the inevitable upheavals, as both sides of the pending power struggle want the gift has has been unexpectedly given by the White Jade Princess.
My problem is this--yes, the struggles come to a head and a war breaks out. Historically, it has to happen. My problem is the fact that most of the war takes place "off stage" from the novel. I'm sure this was a conscious choice by Kay. The characters in the novel make moves and decisions that are as important as the grand battles of a war, but take place away from the battlefield. These characters are making the large political moves, not the large military moves.
But for me, when the novel was over it felt anti-climactic, because we never get to see the great battles "on stage". The results are told as stories from history, leaving the reader (or me, at least) feeling a tad ripped off.
Even so, it was a wonderful novel, and I already wish Kay had another book for me to read. If you are a Kay fan, this is a must buy. If you've never read him, then you won't be disappointed.
Did I like it? Of course. I love Guy Gavriel Kay. As usual, his depiction of historical settings (this time 8th century China) with a twist was spot on. Very enjoyable.
But for some reason, at times Under Heaven seemed to be going through the Kay "motions" for me, as if he felt he has to have female characters who are stronger than history would expect, star-crossed lovers, characters who must make impossible choices, etc.
Sure, I still dug it. But Kay is veering close to formulaic on this one--not quite, but close.
I think my biggest problem with this particular novel is one of plotting. Under Heaven depicts a time of change, when the emperor is old and the kingdom will be different soon. Shen Tai is an ordinary man thrust into the middle of the inevitable upheavals, as both sides of the pending power struggle want the gift has has been unexpectedly given by the White Jade Princess.
My problem is this--yes, the struggles come to a head and a war breaks out. Historically, it has to happen. My problem is the fact that most of the war takes place "off stage" from the novel. I'm sure this was a conscious choice by Kay. The characters in the novel make moves and decisions that are as important as the grand battles of a war, but take place away from the battlefield. These characters are making the large political moves, not the large military moves.
But for me, when the novel was over it felt anti-climactic, because we never get to see the great battles "on stage". The results are told as stories from history, leaving the reader (or me, at least) feeling a tad ripped off.
Even so, it was a wonderful novel, and I already wish Kay had another book for me to read. If you are a Kay fan, this is a must buy. If you've never read him, then you won't be disappointed.