Customer Reviews

An Arrow's Flight: A Novel

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I haven't been this impressed with a work of fiction in quite some time. Mark Merlis sets himself up to fail, with his idea of semi-updating the Trojan war, and then succeeds so wondrously. He catches the reader quickly with opening chapters that are funny, engaging, swift-moving (any man or woman who was ever young and confused will identify, but gay men in particular will laugh out loud) then deftly begins weaving in deeper themes. In some ways, his subject is the same as Homer's (or Shakespeare's, or just about any great writer's): what does it mean to be a man? His answer is slowly and beautifully revealed to the reader, as it is to his protagonist. The surprising ending (always the toughest part of a novel, especially for one this original) is so well done I turned the last pages in amazement. And heartbreak. Ignore this book at your peril. You won't make a better purchase this year.

"How did he do that!?" That's the thought that kept popping up in my head as I read this wonderful wonderful book.

The anachronisms are brilliantly funny & clever; Merlis is a pure genius & has written a perfect piece of literature. I highly recommend anyone to read this novel; particularly if you enjoy Greek mythology as I do... Merlis succeeds in humanizing these bigger-than-life characters...

A definite must-read!

I was interested in this book as I studied Classical Studies in university and I enjoy gay fiction. This seemed a fascinating combination for a book. I was more impressed than I expected to be. It was a nice spin on the many books that look at the period at the beginning of the AIDS crisis in that the reader does not immediately see the connection. The initial talk of gods and demigods and, god forbid, hemidemigods, sets one up for a different sort of story. One does not suspect that the story of the Fall of Troy can be used to show the meaning of being gay in such a contemporary way but that is the thrill of this novel. Pyrrhus and Philoctetes were superb choices to guide the reader through this novel but the joy also came from the minor characters who pop up fully formed throughout the novel, such as Admetus and Leucon. Too many gay novels contain a hero that is a beautiful and sexual god, in a metaphorical sense, that it is nice to see a novel where the hero (almost) is a god in a literal sense but somehow writtin all the more real for all of that.

A great accomplishment. Merlis breaks very fresh literary ground with this imaginative tale of contemporary hustler/stripper/heir Pyrrhus being led by an oracle (and a eunuch) to claim his birthright as the son of Achilles and conquerer of The Trojans in the Trojan War. AN ARROW'S FLIGHT is a brilliant (and tres gay) retelling of THE ODYSSEY as well as an on-target commentary on current gay identity and politics. The narrative presents a crazy and brilliant mix of then and now, classic and disposable, enduring and fleeting, myth and mansex, humor and tragedy, and much more...and amazingly it all makes sense! With this novel Merlis surpasses even the highest hopes I had after his wonderful debut novel AMERICAN STUDIES. I think this one is destined to be a classic gay novel in the years to come. Bravo!

Typically, I don't enjoy these "high-concept novels." This one I did. It's the story of Pyrrhus, son of Achilles, in a story set during the Trojan War-yet with modern sensibilities. Pyrrhus might put on his khaki pants or use a credit card, but they are, indeed, in ancient Greece.

The story is well-woven and keeps your interest. Unless you are used to high-concept novels, it will take a few pages to meld the new and the old as the author intended. But it comes across well. Pyrrhus becomes disillusioned with the constant stream of one-nighters, and when called upon (as prophesied) to conquer Troy, he gets involved in battle. Even if you know ancient Greek history, the outcome of the war in this book will surprise you. Of course, there's still the hot love scenes one would expect.

A great read, especially if you're looking for gay fiction that's different from the usual.

It's rare that I've missed a book so much on finishing it. A great concept ... updating Homer while keeping some of the mystery of the time. Wonderfully, humanely, relishingly gay. No pretension whatsoever in this for me ... just a lovely guy writing beautifully and cleanly, daring his imagination to break the bounds. Well done to St Martin's for publishing it so well ... it's a handsome book. If you're in any doubt at all about this book but feel tempted to give it a go ... then please do. The best book I have read in a long time ... his American Studies is deligthful too, somewhat akin to this in its relationship between an old and young man with illness part of the game, though this takes the whole thing deeper. One of our very best writers, I reckon.

I was dubious when I started the book. It seemed just another coming of age in the gay ghetto story. But there was something about the writing that made me care much more than I should have, based on what the lead character, Pyrrhus, was actually doing.

I love the story of Achilles and the Trojan War, and Greek mythology in general. Greek mythology is fabulous, timeless human psychology.

As the book progresses, it becomes a profound meditation on shame, self-loathing, defiance of heterosexual oppression, and the always relevant mystery of the brevity of youth and the joys and burdens of aging. It is also a commentary on gay culture.

It is terrific fun to read and became progressively more so as the book went on.

The seige of Troy by the Greeks has been going on for 10 years without any clear signs of ending. An oracle soon gives Odysseus the information he needs to conclude this messy debacle: Neoptolemus, son of the fallen Achilles, will lead the Greeks to victory. The only problem is trying to find Neoptolemus.

Unaware of what the Fates have chosen for him, Neoptolemus, who goes by Pyrrhus because of his red hair and is tired of hiding his sexuality, escapes his boring life on the isle of Scyros and moves to the big city. Strapped for cash, he decides to put his godlike good looks to some use and becomes a go-go dancer and hustler in the gay part of town. But even then, he longs for something more than just a sea of faces all wanting him and him not caring one way or the other. He is found by Phoenix, trusted eunuch of Achilles, who tells him of the oracle's prophecy and offers the opportunity to change his life: to achieve victory in Troy.

There's more to the prophecy than Pyrrhus is told, though. He has to obtain Heracles' bow from Philoctetes who was exiled by Odysseus to the island of Lemnos after being bitten by a snake and contracting an incurable illness. Once the two meet, Pyrrhus must confront his feelings for Philoctetes and decide once and for all who he is and what he wants from life.

"An Arrow's Flight" is a unique blending of Greek mythology with modern gay themes. At first, I was a bit thrown, as all the ancient Greeks I remember from my school days are now using computers, watching TV, using charge cards, etc. It takes some getting used to. The story itself helps to overcome this; it's well-written with very strong, thoroughly developed characters. Pyrrhus grows and changes by the end of the story, finally accepting himself and understanding who he is. A fine, compelling novel.

This was one of my favorite books of recent memory. Merlis is immediately in a class with Hollinghurst and Neil Bartlett for me, on the basis of this literary, and literate update of Greek tragedy that successfully tosses Homer and Sophocles into a gay coming of age story unfolding on the brink of the imminent and unexpected AIDS crisis. Worth the read just for the presentation of Odysseys as a cunning trial lawyer. As a lawyer myself, a former Classical Civ. major, and a gay man, I assumed I would either love or hate this book, and was delighted when it turned out to be true love.

"Beware of Greeks bearing gifts"! And in "An Arrow's Flight," this Greek seems to have a real gift! Mark Merlis has taken the Homerian classic "The Iliad" and given it a rollicking--and irreverent--"updating"! However, this "edition" is more than mere clever anachronism, as Merlis is to be given some credit here.

In an odyssey all its own, "Arrow" tells the story of how Pyrrhus, son of Achilles, is called upon to "pay his duty" and come to Troy to help his fellow Greeks achieve victory in this ten-year-old struggle. (The oracle had predicted that it would be Pyrrhus to lead the Greeks to victory, if they were to in at all!) It's not so easy, though, as Pyrrhus is reluctant to enter the fray--gods or no gods--as he is amidst the high life working as a male stripper in a local bar, and quite in demand he is! However, of course, he yields to his destiny, and proceeds to Ilium!

Merlis, in this story, incorporates a number of socially significant topics--as the themes he uses are easily recognized as themes of the modern gay community. As with any successful attempt with satire, he takes most serious subjects and hammers at them (sometimes mercilessly) with an Achillian aim. He treats the Homerian epic with respect, however, regardless of his comedy and satire. Granted, liberties are taken, but, regardless, it's a "different" and refreshing take on this venerable classic. (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)