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16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well-done retelling!, November 20, 2000
This review is from: Gilgamesh (Hardcover)
Stephan Grundy's Gilgamesh is a magnificent piece of art. Brilliantly written and intensively researched, it translates the ancient Mesopotamian epic into a superbly readable novel without altering the essence of the original. The theme of an arrogant and powerful young man who must discover that no human heroism can overcome mortality is one that speaks as clearly to the modern age as to the era when the epic was composed; by fleshing out the lines of the poem with a wealth of physical and emotional detail, Grundy expands this fundamental theme to a veritable Wagnerian opera, producing a book which not only overwhelms in the reading, but provokes thoughts and feelings that will last long after the covers have been closed. Intense meditations upon mortality and the worth of human life are layered into an exciting plot that includes war (not invented to pad out the plot-line, but derived directly from another Mesopotamian poem, 'Gilgamesh and Agga'), hunting scenes worthy of Wilbur Smith at his best, and high intrigue within the temple walls, as well as the ongoing emotional combat between Gilgamesh and his city's patron goddess Inanna. This combination of thought and action shows an unusually skillful handling of timing and plot, while the characters, though many of their attitudes are foreign to the modern viewpoint, still manage to be highly sympathetic and interesting - particularly the young priestess who has the thankless task of trying to get the headstrong Gilgamesh to do his long-feared and potentially fatal duty to the goddess Inanna. The one caution readers should have is that the author's insistence on detailed historical accuracy includes a willingness to present a complete and unexpurgated view of the sexual emphasis of Sumerian religion and culture (and of the diverse forms of sexuality practiced and celebrated by the Sumerians) which may prove to be controversial among those who are familiar only with the more watered-down translations and interpretations of Gilgamesh. In particular, Grundy's straightforward acceptance of the repeated phrase in Gilgamesh's dreams about Enkidu, 'To me its (the meteor symbolizing Enkidu in the dream) attraction was like the love of woman...you were drawn to it as though to a woman...you will love him as a woman', etc. (the same phrase is also translated as 'I hugged him like a wife...You loved him and hugged him like a wife') may unsettle or even offend those who assume that ancient Sumerians lived by the same moral standards as fundamentalist Baptists - though conversely, readers looking for a gay love story (or political statement) may be unsettled by Enkidu's happy, if open, marriage, Gilgamesh's many experiences with priestesses and new brides, and the suggestion that the two heroes go out cruising for women together, among other things. However, those who appreciate historical authors who are willing to accurately portray the attitudes of the cultures in which their works are set will be grateful that Grundy did not choose to tone down the rich sensuality of the Sumerians (or dilute the intensity of the heroes' emotional union as the poem describes it) in order to avoid controversy. This book is destined to be a true classic among historical novels.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An unusual "coming of age" novel, November 14, 2000
This review is from: Gilgamesh (Hardcover)
Between my memory of having read Gilgamesh in a college history class, and my pleasant experiences reading Stephan Grundy's previous historical fiction novels, I happily anticipated the release of this novel and was not disappointed. It more than just an adventure story. I cannot speak for how accurately Gilgamesh's legend is rendered, but I will say that as in Grundy's previous novels, he did an excellent job evoking the world Gilgamesh lives in. In particular, he makes the ancient Sumerian religion seem real, as a major aspect of the various character's lives. This last is important, because although the novel tells the story of the king and hero Gilgamesh, it also tells the story of a person coming to terms with and accepting the influence of the divine (in this case the Sumerian goddess Innana) into his life. In a sense, it is a romance between Gilgamesh and the goddess. Though a brave man, he fears her because accepting her means accepting that he will one day meet his death. He has great strength and vigor, being "two thirds god and one third man" but with it comes something like "peter pan syndrome" and he lacks sympathy and understanding for his subjects. He confuses personal heroism in battle with the kingly duty to protect his subjects-- even from his own dreams of glory. His courage, in light of his refusal to admit the possibility of death, is closer to recklessness. Nevertheless, for all his flaws he is an engaging character, as are the other characters in the novel are who are forced to deal with him. Yes, some of the characters are bisexual-- but a careful reading reveals that the homosexual activities of certain characters (discreetly presented) are a signal that the character is turned toward him or herself, taking comfort in human friendship when unable to accept the goddess into his or her life (while showing the importance of human friendships). I believe Grundy's intent in including these episodes was to express his theme, not to be "trendy." Gilgamesh at first can only love his friend Enkidu, because only Enkidu is "like him" in physical prowess. Initially it is an egotistical love, but after tragedy and physical weakness befalls Enkidu, Gilgamesh learns that he still loves his friend for his nobility of spirit. Ultimately, just as Innana gives Enkidu the gift of civilization, Enkidu's love and friendship gives Gilgamesh the understanding that he needs to finally accept Innana as well as his own mortality in order to become a complete, mature man and a good king.
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19 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome!, October 13, 2000
This review is from: Gilgamesh (Hardcover)
From the first few pages, I was transported to ancient Erech, involved in the lives of the characters, and hooked on this most ancient of epic stories. Grundy has a way of bringing larger-than-life characters forth in ways that make them immediately important to the reader as people, not merely as archetypes. Whether he is writing about fighting or love-making, he does it with an appreciation of the skills involved that make you pity his enemies and envy his lovers. He has the rare combination of excellent research and creative story-telling ability that marks the best keepers of legend. I recommend this book not just because the Gilgamesh story is culturally important, but because it is a GOOD story, and even better when told by a master.
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