Jurjen
This is now my second Guy Gavriel Kay book after having read (and liked) Tigana last year. I liked this book quite a lot, though I have my issues.
The setting is fantastic. GGK has very clearly spent dozens of hours doing research into the Justinian period, and it really shows. I really enjoyed looking for historical parallels (especially in the prologue), but even when taken in isolation and not contrasted to history, it just feels very vivid and lived-in.
No surprise, Kay's prose is beautiful, and really adds to the storytelling.
Much like Tigana, the characters feel a bit overmuch–too clever, too beautiful, too “desired”, etc. With Tigana, this almost fit as it felt fairytale-esque to match the tone of the book. Sailing to Sarantium is more grounded, so that explanation doesn't work this time. It bothered me a bit.
The biggest problem with this book is the (limited) role that women play in this story. It seems that that's just endemic to his writing.
The ending of Tigana blew me away, and to my surprise, the final 25 pages of this book gave it a run for its money. Kay is able to write such tender sadness, and knows how to wrap things up emotionally. He masterfully employs the English language to do so.
This is now my second Guy Gavriel Kay book after having read (and liked) Tigana last year. I liked this book quite a lot, though I have my issues.
The setting is fantastic. GGK has very clearly spent dozens of hours doing research into the Justinian period, and it really shows. I really enjoyed looking for historical parallels (especially in the prologue), but even when taken in isolation and not contrasted to history, it just feels very vivid and lived-in.
No surprise, Kay's prose is beautiful, and really adds to the storytelling.
Much like Tigana, the characters feel a bit overmuch–too clever, too beautiful, too “desired”, etc. With Tigana, this almost fit as it felt fairytale-esque to match the tone of the book. Sailing to Sarantium is more grounded, so that explanation doesn't work this time. It bothered me a bit.
The biggest problem with this book is the (limited) role that women play in this story. It seems that that's just endemic to his writing.
The ending of Tigana blew me away, and to my surprise, the final 25 pages of this book gave it a run for its money. Kay is able to write such tender sadness, and knows how to wrap things up emotionally. He masterfully employs the English language to do so.
