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keilexandraThe Lions of Al-Rassan
by Guy Gavriel Kay
527 pages (paperback)
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy/Historical
For the downtime during three straight days of All-State rehearsal, I needed an engrossing but not plot-compelling book (I had to be able to put it down easily). So I chose to reread a GGK novel that I'd picked up at the used book store, which also happened to be my first introduction to Guy Gavriel Kay--The Lions of Al-Rassan.
The elements of Kay's work that first entranced me--his prose, setting, and quietly enormous cast of characters--are still just as ethereal on second read. He is a poet as well as a novelist, and his language is modestly breathtaking. After studying world history in more depth, I picked up on many more of the historical allusions. This is a novel exploring the Crusades, the intersection of three faiths, and the everyday devastations of war (the parallels for Jaddite, Kindath, and Asharite are obvious). Sometimes Kay will introduce a new POV for just one short scene, but every character and image is referenced again in the course of the novel. He excels at ending lines, and though I prefer the style of some of his others (namely Sarantine Mosaic and Tigana), this ending is equally powerful. I want to linger, review memorable fragments, study the poetic themes of water and wine.
I loved all the characters, but especially Ammar--the poet, of course, as well as diplomat, assassin, and soldier. Plot-wise, Kay manages to pull off extremely difficult maneuvers; a love triangle and a trick ending, both satisfying. Everything fits neatly together, including--especially--the imagery.
Kay also includes several short original poetry excerpts, a la Tolkien, except that Kay's poetry is actually readable. My favorite, which I've memorized, is quoted below (slight spoiler):
If you can't tell already from my effusive praise, The Lions of Al-Rassan is highly recommended, particularly if you appreciate beauty in writing. Kay is my absolute favorite author, but certainly this ranks among his better works and is an excellent introduction.
by Guy Gavriel Kay
527 pages (paperback)
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy/Historical
For the downtime during three straight days of All-State rehearsal, I needed an engrossing but not plot-compelling book (I had to be able to put it down easily). So I chose to reread a GGK novel that I'd picked up at the used book store, which also happened to be my first introduction to Guy Gavriel Kay--The Lions of Al-Rassan.
The elements of Kay's work that first entranced me--his prose, setting, and quietly enormous cast of characters--are still just as ethereal on second read. He is a poet as well as a novelist, and his language is modestly breathtaking. After studying world history in more depth, I picked up on many more of the historical allusions. This is a novel exploring the Crusades, the intersection of three faiths, and the everyday devastations of war (the parallels for Jaddite, Kindath, and Asharite are obvious). Sometimes Kay will introduce a new POV for just one short scene, but every character and image is referenced again in the course of the novel. He excels at ending lines, and though I prefer the style of some of his others (namely Sarantine Mosaic and Tigana), this ending is equally powerful. I want to linger, review memorable fragments, study the poetic themes of water and wine.
I loved all the characters, but especially Ammar--the poet, of course, as well as diplomat, assassin, and soldier. Plot-wise, Kay manages to pull off extremely difficult maneuvers; a love triangle and a trick ending, both satisfying. Everything fits neatly together, including--especially--the imagery.
Kay also includes several short original poetry excerpts, a la Tolkien, except that Kay's poetry is actually readable. My favorite, which I've memorized, is quoted below (slight spoiler):
Let only sorrow speak tonight.
Let sorrow name the moons.
Let the pale blue light be loss
And the white one memory.
Let clouds obscure the brightness
Of the high, holy stars,
And shroud the watering-place
Where he was wont to slake his thirst.
Where lesser beasts now gather
Since the Lion will come no more...
If you can't tell already from my effusive praise, The Lions of Al-Rassan is highly recommended, particularly if you appreciate beauty in writing. Kay is my absolute favorite author, but certainly this ranks among his better works and is an excellent introduction.
