Customer Reviews

Death of King Tsongor, The

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In his youth King Tsongor inherited a small kingdom from his father. Through war and courage he built a vast empire. But now Tsongor is an old man. He is about to marry his only daughter to the prince of a neighboring land. The prince, at the head of a vast army, has arrived at the city gates loaded down with presents. At this moment of supreme happiness for Tsongor and his kingdom, another suitor shows up leading a second army. He is the childhood love of the princess who has been away building his fortune and power. He has rushed back to claim her based on her long-ago promise to be his bride.

Two men, each with an army outside his gates, have been promised his daughter. Tsongor is tired of war. He stays up the whole night to decide what to do.

What does Samilia, his daughter, do now that she has two men to decide between? What of these men who cannot lose face before their armies? And lastly, whose side does Samilia's father and brothers take?

This is the story of Tsongor's decision and the events that follow from it. It is an epic tale filled with tragedy, told in a sparse yet hypnotic style.

The translation from the French is excellent. This is Gaude's first work to be translated into English. I hope we will see more.

This novel is of immense relevance in light of the modern day wars plaguing our continent. The author is successful in portraying war as a vain effort - everyone loses in violence. At one point in the novel, warring factions have lost sight of the reasons they began fighting in the first place and realize they are fighting for the sake of fighting. Sound familiar? I could not put this book down. It was very engaging and could have happened anywhere on any continent for any reason between any two armies for any number of rationalized reasons. A dark fairy tale complete with kings, castles, conquests, a fair maiden, suitors, and bloody battles. I highly recommend this book.