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Group Reads Discussions 2011
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"Lions of al-Rassan" First Impressions *no spoilers*
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Brad
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Jan 01, 2011 07:28AM
What are your early thoughts on Kay's Moor and Spanish inspired book? Do tell.
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I read this a couple months ago and don't plan on re-reading right now, but I still plan on participating in the discussion. My first impressions? Wow. This was my second Kay book, and it hooked me in right from the beginning. Instant book love, can't beat that!
I have 100 pages left, never a dull moment on this book. I am still trying to figure out what are her feeling toward each of two main characters.
I too am surprised how easily I fell into this book. It's my first foray into Kay, and so far I am impressed and planning to add some more of his stuff to my TBR
This was my fourth Kay book, and easily my favorite of those. In fact, I rank it with the best books I've ever read. It's simply amazing. One that I will return to in a few years.
I've read it four times over the years, and always come back to it when the mood strikes. I think it's the best Kay too, although Tigana and A Song for Arbonne have equally devoted followings, and for good reason.
Those are two of the other three I've read, Brad (along with Sailing to Sarantium). I agree about the good reason part. Tigana was my first and I was blown away. Then Song for Arbonne topped that. Then Lions. Wow.Sarantium was pretty awesome but not quite as good as the other three. In parts it was, but I've been told that I should read Lord of Emperors to complete the story.
when kay is good, he's very very good, but when he's "bad" it's just intermittently boring. this one definitely the former - i gobbled up about half of this doorstop in one sitting yesterday. action aplenty, while still being utterly graceful.Bill, i thought the same thing about Jehane, that if this were a fo-reals medieval europe there'd certainly be no free lovin' going on. that being said, i'm *hugely* refreshed that the "omg devil woman you slut!!!" plot trope is completely absent in favor of far more interesting developments.
My favorite Kay book of them all. Beautifully done on all counts.
I'm about 6 chapters in and I like it so far. I like Jehane. Strong independent, intelligent. It will be interesting to see her interactions with the two main male characters.Although I have to ask...is this really a fantasy? I haven't seen any magic yet.
It's more historical fiction than fantasy, in my opinion, but it's a fine line between the two genres. As for magic, you won't be seeing any of that (as far as I remember), so don't get your hopes up.
What makes this (and much of Kay's work) fantasy is the fact that the world is completely imaginary. It's all based on our history, but he's created the world itself and can tweak it as he likes. It's also medieval in nature, which adds to a traditional fantasy feel, even if it is low (or absent) of magic.I agree that it's a fine line between historical fiction and epic fantasy, but I would go a step further and say it's more what the genre is about than the flood of PNR that is out there.
Chris wrote: "I agree that it's a fine line between historical fiction and epic fantasy, but I would go a step further and say it's more what the genre is about than the flood of PNR that is out there."I agree!
Maybe not magical, but it's sort of gross, that's for sure... LOL.
Just got this from the library I'm ready to dive right in :)
oh, no, the pee flask is 100% historical:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uroscopy
and Tayla, I had the same ponderance of how this counts as fantasy...new thread to discuss?
I started this on the commute home and haven't finished the first chapter yet. But like everything written by Kay, I just love it. I never loose focus, grow bored and get distracted when I read his prose.
Jon wrote: "I started this on the commute home and haven't finished the first chapter yet. But like everything written by Kay, I just love it. I never loose focus, brow bored and get distracted when I read h..."Awesome, Jon! Good to see you reading it. I'm sure you'll continue to love it.
It is December 2nd & I'm 40% into this book. Great read so far.
I am also close to the 50% mark, and I'm loving it. After reading and adoring Under Heaven earlier this year, I hoped that it wasn't a fluke. It obviously wasn't.The choices GGK makes as an author resonate with me. His prose is evocative without feeling forced. What he shows in detail and what he summarizes feel perfect, with the possible exception of the sex scenes.
Tayla36 wrote: "I'm about 6 chapters in and I like it so far. I like Jehane. Strong independent, intelligent. It will be interesting to see her interactions with the two main male characters.Although I have to a..."
It is light on magic, but the world of the book has fantasy undertones. I like to think of it as alternate history fantasy fiction.
Basically most of what GGK writes is altehnate history
Oops. Most of what GGK writes is alternate history fiction. This is not a bad thing. He's an excellent writer. Great characters, intricate plots and thought-provoking scenarios.But there's something of a sameness to the genre he seems to occupy. That's why I haven't read UNDER HEAVEN or CHILDREN OF EARTH AND SKY. But TIGANA is one of my favorite books.
I also really enjoyed THE SARANTINE MOSAIC.
I'm curious to see what people think of The Lions of Al-Rassan. I think it depends on how interested (or not) one is in the period of history he is setting the story this time.
MadProfessah wrote: "I'm curious to see what people think of The Lions of Al-Rassan. I think it depends on how interested (or not) one is in the period of history he is setting the story this time."With both The Lions of Al-Rassan and Under Heaven, I knew little to nothing about the historical periods that served as inspiration. The books made me curious enough to look up the parallels. It's more likely now that I will take an interest in nonfiction books or documentary videos that deal with the Reconquista or with the Tang Dynasty.
Although I thought the writing was fantastic, I just dont feel this is fantasy at all!It is probably the best bromance book out there.
Mod
Hank wrote: "Page 1, the cover is great and I love maps. Really backed up on my books in Dec, hopefully I will get through it before the discussions have all ended :)"Yup, me too. Hoping to get to it soon (whatever that means).
I listened to audio so I didn't see the maps. Were they maps of our world? And Maggie, I totally agree with you on both counts. It's reworked history to me. And a most excellent bromance.
I just started and now on page 60, am totally sucked in with the intrigue and wonderful plot development. And reworked history is right: Moors, Jews, Aragon, Castile, I am waiting for Ferdinand and Isabella to appear soon.
No kidding! He did that in a very interesting way.
Chris wrote: "What makes this (and much of Kay's work) fantasy is the fact that the world is completely imaginary. It's all based on our history, but he's created the world itself and can tweak it as he likes. I..."So this is fantastical Spain (and Portugal?) but inspired by our history, not alternate history that split off from world centuries ago? No, more than that, the Hippocratic Oath has another name, it would be thousands of years...
Like... what was that series, the first book is on the bookshelf, Jesus' brother got married and had kids and the children started a new sexytimes religion. Something like that. The main character had a special mark in her iris, and got adopted by a rich guy who trained her to be an S & M spy.
Oh,. Well back to this book, which I got for the July 15 re-read. I am through Part 1 and like it so far. Good prose. Have referred to the character list and the map a few times. Moved by the sitatuation with Dr. Jehane's father. Creepy when people looked up and saw the vultures, showing them that something had gone wrong in the city.
Jehane reminded me of the doctor in Iain M. Banks' Inversions.
Excellent. I'll add that I have read by this author, The Fionavar Tapestry ages ago, and Tigana a few years ago. Looks like Under Heaven still to go on the GR-SFFBC bookshelf.
I certainly liked Tigana and its good writing, although didn't love it as much as many of our fellows did.
Back to Part 2!
This thread has more about the historical-fantastical cross:"Lions of al-Rassan" yes, but how fantasy is it?
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I haven't looked at this one due to the ~historical spoilers:
"Lions of al-Rassan" Historical Inspiration *spoilers*
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I really liked the character of Miranda, Captain Rodrigo Belmonte's wife. Hope we get to see more of her!
BTW, those ^^ threads are frozen so no new posts.Just read this in the book:
Both of the wandering moons the Kindath named as sisters of the god were in the sky, and both were close to full.
That makes it more 'fantastical' for me since our earth has only one moon. 🌝
I'm at 19% into the book and really getting into it. Alternating with The Deaths of Tao and Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand.
Oh right CB, I forgot that until you pointed it out
SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand (other topics)The Deaths of Tao (other topics)
Under Heaven (other topics)
The Fionavar Tapestry (other topics)
Tigana (other topics)
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