Reading, Research, and Reference

While I promised ‘no elves’ in the novel, Sun Valley, Moon Mountains , there are elements of “Swordplay and Sorcery” common to straight-ahead Fantasy.  In addition, in SVMM I do a riff on The Iliad.

If you’re interested, here are a few works of literature that are relevant to Sun Valley, Moon Mountains .

The main protagonist, Jaq, while a Wall Street trader by vocation and a Philosopher by avocation,  is a Classicist by training.  So it’s no surprise that the world which he ‘shapes’ with his mind draws inspiration from Classical texts, like ‘The Iliad’, and ancient sources, such as the Sumerian Creation Epic.  ‘The Iliad’ is one of my all-time favorite works of literature.  With the exception of the genealogies, it’s fast paced and filled with complex characters.  It’s bloody.  Gory, actually, and surprisingly so.   But the most interesting aspect, I think, is the unpredictable and ephemeral nature of both courage and cowardice in every one of us.

Translations of The Iliad

While there are numerous translations, I’ll cite links to my two favorites: Lattimore’s and Pope’s.  Read Lattimore first; or if you believe a different translation superior, shoot it in.  Pope is just plain fun to read.  And brilliant.  I’m not a huge fan of Rhyme, but Little Sandy does a masterful job.

Richard Lattimore:  ‘The Iliad’

Alexander Pope:  Pope’s Iliad

James B. Pritchard:  Sumerian Creation Epic Vol. 1 and other Fun Stuff

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