I’ve just finished reading Ransom
It was fantastic. It instilled that conflict that comes only when reading a story that demands my full attention; with a third of book left I wanted to finish it, but I put it down because I didn’t want it to end too quickly.
It tackles an episode from the Trojan War when the grief stricken king of Troy travels to his enemy’s camp without his bodyguards and usual royal retinue, to plead for the return of the body of his slain son.
The war has been going on for years and although there have been many losses on both sides recent events, the tragic death of Achilles friend Patroclus at the hands of Hector and the subsequent slaying of Hector by the vengeful Achilles, bring Priam, Hector’s father and king of Troy, and Achilles the most fearsome Greek warrior, to a fateful meeting.
The story has themes of loss, pride, revenge, humility, mortality and transformation. Each approached with deft skill in this relatively short, 224 page novel.
David Malouf has had a fascination with Troy since he was a child.
I’ve also been fascinated by the story which is full of whimsical gods, larger than life heroes and fatally flawed mortals.
Unlike Malouf, I haven’t read Homer’s Iliad, but I have listened more than once to Andrew Rissik’s excellent Troy Trilogy. I don’t think it is available to buy, so keep an eye on BBC Radio 7 which I believe has broadcast it every year since 2004.
I appreciate that the style of writing can be a major influence on the enjoyment of a story so here is an excerpt from the book courtesy of the New York Times to help you decide if it’s for you.
Once I knew the setting of the tale I was always going to read it. I’m glad I did. It is the most enjoyable book I’ve read in a very long time.
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That sounds like a fantastic read! I’ll definitely put it on my list, but I can borrow it off you I’ll have to wait quite a while before I can look at it… In an effort to save money I’ve vowed that I’m not going to buy any more books until I’ve read (and done a little blog review of – http://www.readinginarecession.com) every single thing that’s on my shelf. Might be quite a while…
Hope all is well!
Cheers,
Lora
I thought it was wonderful. Dream-like in places.
Let me know when you get through your shelf and if I still have it I’ll pass it on.
I like your “reading in a recession” idea. I vowed to use my local library more; so I bought four books on Amazon yesterday!
This is an excellent post, thank you. Well written – I didn’t really engage with the book though, as you did!!
Thanks for the feedback. I’m glad you liked the post, even if the book didn’t grab you. I guess if we all liked the same things the world would be a lot less colourful.