We have moved to new forum software and posting here is closed!

PLEASE BOOKMARK THE NEW FORUMS

Posted By: Lisseut Jan 19, 1999 - 09:10 pm

Kay is one of the best fantasy writers I have had the pleasure of reading. He starts off with the Fionavar Tapestry, a trilogy deliberately Tolkein-esque in style, which follows High Fantasy conventions for the most part but still challenges the jaded fantasy reader with daring innovations. It involves five uni students being transported across dimensions to a fantasy world which is the one true world, all others (including ours) being reflections of it. There's enough sword and sorcery to satisfy action fans and enough characterisation (even on relatively minor characters) to satisfy even the most demanding seekers-of-motive. It is more believable than the average story because the story (battle) does not hinge upon a single character (hero) but success is a culmination of noble deeds (and less noble in fact downright atrocious deeds) and heroic sacrifices (some of which occur right at the start of the story).

Having said all that, I feel that his first work is also his weakest. Tigana, the next one, is considered by many to be his best and signals a shift away from sword and sorcery to historical fantasy. Although it is remarkably well-written, with strong plot, setting (renaissance Italy) and characters, it is my least favourite simply because I didn't like any of the characters well enough.

The next three works also follow this historical trend, with A Song for Arbonne being based upon the Albegenisian (I think that's the spelling) crusade in France, The Lions of Al-Rassan in 12th century Iberia and Sailing to Sarantium in the Byzantine Empire. My personal favourite is A Song for Arbonne. Currently I am reading Sailing to Sarantium (out recently) which is the first of two volumes.

My recommendations? Start with Fionavar Tapestry and read in order of publication - it will show the development of the writer and his themes.

Warning: They do turn tragic at times so if you're the type to get thoroughly involved in the characters and their lives have tissues handy. The end of Lions never fails to move me to tears.

Posted By: Daisy Apr 25, 1999 - 04:41 pm

I really enjoyed Kay's Tigana particularly for its plot. I read Fionavar Tapestry next, but for some reason, I didn't feel it was as great as its reviews claimed. Not that I thought that it was bad, though.

I think I'll try Song for Arbonne!

Posted By: Neal66 Sep 24, 1999 - 11:53 am

Tigana is the most beautiful fantasy novel I've ever read!

Posted By: Darkglass Mar 07, 2000 - 08:42 pm

I couldn't get through the first Fionavar Tapestry book (then again, I did read it a long time ago). I couldn't relate to any of the characters for some reason. Maybe some time I'll give it another chance.

Tigana though was an excellent story and the characters were deep, realistic and human. I suppose that might be why they might not be easily likeable. It's one of my favourite books, though I had the misfortune to lend it to some psycho and will probably never see it back.

Posted By: D3n15 Oct 05, 2002 - 10:16 am

I read the Fionavar Tapestry, and it was interesting. It's a difficult book to rate however, since it's not "stable". At some points it was excellent, at others it was barely okay (parts where I'm just shaking my head and saying, WHY? WHY? Gahhhhh!). I guess if you smooth it all out it's good :-)

I suppose I'll try Tigana at some point, can't be that bad if you all liked it so much :-)

Posted By: Amaunette Dec 28, 2002 - 03:54 pm

I can't tell you all how much I enjoy reading Guy Gavriel Kay's work. My favorite is Tigana, obviously, and I also couldn't quite get into the Fionavar Tapestry, though the plot certainly seems intriguing. I think that Sailing to Sarantium doesn't get nearly enough credit for the beautiful work that it is. And while most people like A Song of Arbonne best of all, I'm rather more fond of the Lions of Al-Rassan.

I love the political intrigue in all of his books. I love the romance of it all, and I love the awareness his characters have of endings and beginnings, though honestly, some characters are just too darned aware for their own good. I love Kay's enchantment with his own work and how he makes the reader grieve with him for the ending of great things. Most of all, I love this beauty he created for us to share.

Posted By: Caamora May 06, 2003 - 03:02 pm

I read Fionavar for the first time when I was 11 maybe, and since then I've read it 25 times or so. The only other book I've read by Kay was Tigana, and it was so long ago that I hardly remember it. I'm going to have to try it again...I think I was probably not quite ready for it back then...Also the translation was a bit off. The Lions of Al'Rassan is sitting in my bookshelf waiting for me to have time to read...

Posted By: Azhure Jul 04, 2003 - 01:32 am

I would thoroughly recommend any of Kay's books, especially Tigana and A song for Arbonne which are my favourites. His style of writing is beautiful, and I seriously believe that he could write about the most boring-est subject and make you want to read it. For all those that haven't read his works, please do, you won't regret it.

Posted By: Daelish Jul 08, 2003 - 07:44 pm

I haven't failed to weep at some point during every single one of GG Kay's books excluding his first trilogy. Several times during Tigana (that flashback with the guards and the screaming *shudder*) and hardest during Lions...I just couldn't handle the end of that book.

I respect an author that can make me cry.