Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Series Ends Strongly, Weakened By "Authorial" Intrusion, December 19, 2000
This review is from: Lost Burgundy:: The Book Of Ash, #4 (Mass Market Paperback)
There is much to recommend this book as well as this series: strong and detailed military description, vivid reconstruction of the medieval period, and a strong central protagonist, as well as secondary figures, who evolves and develops as character, at the end coming to an epiphanous realization about herself and the world she inhabits. The prose is solidly constructed, and great emotion evoked in the scenes where Ash begins to accept her humanity and her true feelings for the men and women she leads. And, at least in the first book, intriguing questions are raised as to the veracity of history, and our contemporary interpretations of the past. This examination of history is accomplished through the fictional and contemporary commentary and correspondence of a professor purportedly translating and collecting the medieval manuscripts that recount the life of Ash, a female mercenary leader of the late fifteenth century. Presented in a manner mimicking an academician's notes and correspondence with his publisher, this "history" is written complete with the "author's" commentary, as well as running emails to his publisher. While intruding upon the main narrative recounting the life of Ash, in the first book this secondary story line does much to inform and expand upon the theme of the primary narrative, used as a running dialogue to examine our contemporary notions and the validity of our reconstruction of a period in which evidence is scanty and often of questionable provenance. Becoming a larger exploration into our comprehension and knowledge of the past, this device, while interrupting the narrative flow of the story surrounding Ash, nonetheless raises questions about the events being narrated, and by extension all accounts of events of this period, that are intriguing and thought provoking, elevating the narrative beyond the usual fantasy fiction. However, in the books that succeed "A Secret History," this device of "authorial" intrusion becomes less successful and more and more contrived, playing little role in the second and third books other than to maintain its own presence within the fiction that this is history, already established in the first book. In "Lost Burgundy" its role again becomes prominent, but here, despite earlier hints, significantly shifts to an examination of history, both past and present, through the lens of quantum theory and parallel universes, or, in this case, probabilities and random possibilities and man's potential to eventually--if not already--control and determine reality. While these themes might offer a rich potential in a different fictional setting, I did not find them comfortably or convincingly interjected into the medieval and realistic world the author has created within her main narrative. Instead, this device seemed contrived and largely separate from the main narrative, the latter serving as an excuse for the author to explore themes not credibly established in the primary story surrounding the life of a medieval mercenary. Further, the last forty pages of this book used to take these musings to their logical--I would argue illogical in terms of the narrative's primary context--conclusion did much to undermine the power of the conclusion to Ash's story, separating the ongoing dialogue and exposition of Dr. Ratcliff's translation and commentary into a distinct story line only artificially and unconvincingly associated with the medieval tale of Ash. For this reason, my response to the "Book(s) of Ash" is mixed and qualified. I greatly enjoyed the realism and reconstruction of military life in medieval Europe during the fifteenth century, and largely found the story of Ash and her confederates compelling, if at times lacking somewhat in dramatic action. While battles and confrontations do take place, convincingly and vividly enacted, the bulk of the narrative more often than not is concerned with description and setting, military councils and character development, realistically drawn and set out, than climatic action. The pace, therefore, will not please everyone. Nonetheless, for those willing to let the tale unfold, for those who value historical and descriptive realism, as well as subtle and evolving characterization, they will likely find a rich and satisfying story. However, were I to read it again, I would skip the sections devoted to Dr. Ratcliff's discovery and interpretation of the "manuscript" upon which the story is purportedly based. The rest of the story can largely stand on its own without its inclusion, which is ultimately intrusive and distracting and, after the first book, contributes little other than to muddy and explore themes inconsistent and contrively forced upon the rest of the narrative. Because of its presence, if allowed, I would award this book, and the series as a whole, three and a half stars.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Final installment of the brilliant fantasy novel, July 21, 2001
This review is from: Lost Burgundy:: The Book Of Ash, #4 (Mass Market Paperback)
This is the final part of "Ash: A Secret History" - an excellent fantasy novel by UK author Mary Gentle. The novel describes the life of Ash, a Joan of Arc-like mercenary leader. Ash is a young teenager, living in mercenary army camps at the end of the 15th century. She starts hearing voices in her head, giving her tactical advice on battlefield situations. When she becomes a successful battlefield commander, she forms her own mercenary army and gets involved in the protection of Burgundy against an invasion. This novel gives a very gritty, realistic view of life in the 15th century. Right from the start the reader is confronted with the mud, blood, sweat and pain of the life of a soldier. Gentle is not afraid to hurt or kill her characters. Even though the story is brutal and often horrifying, it is always a compelling read. "Ash: A Secret History" is presented as the translation of a manuscript, complete with footnotes explaining some of the archaic terms. The correspondence between Pierce Ratcliff, the fictional scholar who is translating the work, and his editor Anna Longman, is inserted between the chapters of Ash's life. This correspondence adds an entirely new dimension to the story, explaining some of the anachronistic expressions and some of the differences between Ash's version of history and our own. Another reviewer called this novel a combination of fantasy and scholarly mistery. Mary Gentle, an accomplished scholar herself, acquired an MA in War Studies as part of the writing process of this novel. "Ash: A Secret History" was advertised in the UK as "the largest single-volume fantasy novel ever", which is quite possibly true at 1100 pages. In the US, however, the novel was split into 4 separate volumes: "A Secret History", "Carthage Ascendant", "The Wild Machines" and "Lost Burgundy".
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Last quarter of a terrific fantasy creation, January 25, 2004
This review is from: Lost Burgundy:: The Book Of Ash, #4 (Mass Market Paperback)
Lost Burgundy is the fourth book in the "The Book of Ash." This isn't a series, as the books were all published simultaneously, and in the UK it was one 1100 page novel (the largest single-volume fantasy ever). I guess the publisher figured in the US we have short attention spans. The whole sequence of four books is difficult to categorize. While labeled Fantasy, it includes science fiction, alternative history, and postmodern deconstruction. That, perhaps, is why several reviewers got annoyed with these books. They don't stay in one category. This is not a failure but a success; this work is a tour de force. In Book IV, Ash and her mercenary company are stuck in Dijon, awaiting a battle with both soldiers and bizarre physical forces. Elsewhere, the sun has ceased to shine. Ash's twin (or clone) is somehow responsible, and Ash alternates between feelings of revenge and humiliation. The wraparound story, correspondence between a modern author researching Ash, and his editor, is also changing in tone; the editor suggests the author has gone quietly insane, but the reader senses he hasn't despite his reality disappearing. There are elements of Phillip K. Dick in their tale, and it has slowly seeped into Ash's story as well. While the denouement works, the epilogue feels out of place, almost as if it were written by someone less talented. Other than needing a stronger ending, this is a terrific series that deserves your attention, all four books of it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
