Arslan [Paperback]

M J Engh (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Warner Books (1976)
• ASIN: B002GQL9ME
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some miss the point, September 28, 2005

By 

Dogman66 "Andrew" (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arslan (Paperback)

Arslan (AKA A wind from Bukhara) is not a joyfully pleasant book in the vein of a Tom Clancy thriller, but it is not meant to be. A few other reviewers miss this point and I felt it needed a reply. What it is, is an examination of power, how those who have it abuse it and those how don't fall prey to it. It is also a book of its time (as all books are). It is set in a time before mobile phones, the internet and global terrorism, a time when the cold war was still in full bloom. Complaining that it just wouldn't happen as it is described (an explanation is given, despite what some other reviewers have said) is like complaining that H.G. Well's "War of the Worlds" sucks because there aren't really any Martians.

As for the story, it concerns a small part played out during the conquering of the world by an otherwise insignificant power. The initial story told by the character, Franklin Bond, is set in a Midwestern town, is well done, has solid character development and includes some well done thriller scenes. It also has some brutal, unsettling and disturbing scenes as Arslan's power is established.

The latter parts of the book lack the pacing of the first and are weaker for it. The focus of the book changes to that of Hunt Morgan, Arslan's lover and the target of much of Arslan's abuse. Interestingly Arslan, who is loathsome from the start, is written as a charismatic character as often the worst real life monsters are. And he has a plan, and through Hunt's eyes and latter on again through Franklin Bond's we see Arslan's terrible plan move towards its conclusion.

Overall it a worthwhile book to read. As a story, the first part is undeniably readable but the book loses energy latter on. As an examination of the use (abuse) of power it is skilfully done though I am not totally convinced. 3.5/5

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Compelling, Underappreciated Classic, February 12, 2002

By 

Gerald J. Nora - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arslan (Paperback)

Orson Scott Card introduced me to "Arslan" in one of his books, and he marvelled how Engh was able to create Arslan, a vile character that you get to know and grow to sympathize with.

The story begins with Franklin Bond, a Southern Illinois principal whose town is invaded by Arslan after the surrender of the United States and is made into a new capital. Bond becomes a governor of the county and watches the turmoil of his fellow citizens. In the meantime, he forms a strange friendship with Arslan, who always deals with Bond in a strangely respectful manner. Arslan even gives Bond a chance to kill him, because in Arslan's predatorial philosophy, no victory should be without risk. There is a catch: Arslan's soldiers will annihilate Bond's town if Arslan dies, and Bond would have very little time to evacuate the townsmen before the soldiers would realize what happened and begin the massacre. This was one of the most wrenching scenes, because you cry out to Bond "kill him", but Arslan's threat gives Bond cold feet. This is one of the first of many times where Engh shows how Arslan's cruel genius twists people's wills to his own.

The story's perspective later alternates with Hunt Morgan, an adolescent and student of Bond's who is victimized by Arslan and then turned into a servant--Morgan's relationship with Arslan becomes one of the most complicated in the book, as Arslan both manipulates and befriends(?) the youth.

These two men show us how our civilization could have been ruined by a no-name Third World dictator, and Engh's eye for human weaknesses and strengths makes this a believable tale that leave you wondering.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The man who destroyed the world, November 22, 2000

By 

Alex (College Park, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arslan (Mass Market Paperback)

It is said that given a lever long enough, one can move the world with but a push. Arslan, a militarist from a tumultous backwater kingdom, conquered the world and destroyed civilization as we know it. M.J. Engh's "Arslan" is a true gem of speculative fiction. The central character, Arslan, is perhaps one of the most powerful, moving characters ever created: he is a force of unnerving, logical, yet passionate evil, yet he is incredibly human, even romantic. Arslan's goal is to save the world. From us. And yet he admittedly delights in the very hunt, the battle. He savors pain. He delights in perversion as much as he delights in learning. He shapes people's lives with his presence alone.

Using subtle, quick-moving language Engh paints a brilliant masterpiece that would require less masterful authors to use far more explicit scenes. It's sad that this excuciatingly powerful work of speculative political fiction (it takes place in an Illinois town in our time, and contains very few science fiction or fantasy elements) will not probably live to see a reprint.