Customer Reviews

Lost Burgundy:: The Book Of Ash, #4

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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".

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.

I read the British omnibus edition, which I recommend over buying the four installments separately (Amazon UK has it.)

This is a top-class work of alternative history -- not the kind of alternative history that postulates a simple "what if", but an entire parallel universe.

Its strengths include excellent character development -- of secondary as well as primary characters -- and viscerally realistic battle scenes. Despite occasional anachronisms in the area of mentality, which I suspect are deliberate, Gentle clearly knows her medieval history. The plot moves fast and rarely falters; the final battle scene is unputdownable. Stark, brutal realism is one of the book's greatest strengths, but there are wonderful moments of humor as well. The medieval mercenaries are so appealing that, when the reader gets the casualty list at the end of the final battle, the sense of loss is genuine. And yet these individuals could scarcely exist in any other milieu.

I didn't find the framing device, the writer communicating with his agent, as gripping as the main story, but the postulate of subjective reality was interesting and seemed fresh in the context of alternative history.

The one thing that didn't work for me was the final scene, in which the historical characters are translated into the modern day -- this didn't make a lot of sense to me, and it didn't work for me on a characterization or aesthetic level. That, though, is only a few pages out of hundreds.

This series turned out to be a disappointment to me. This could be due to the fact that I was going into the series with a certain set of expectations and the books turned out to be focused in a different direction. I was expecting epic medieval fantasy: lots of battles, strong characters, and fast paced action. These are the reasons that I read more fantasy than I do sci-fi. A lot of sci-fi tends to lean on heavy character development and fleshing out ideas and concepts. In essence, this series of books could be classified as "medieval sci-fi." The last half of the series was mostly excruciatingly slow with nothing really happening for hundreds of pages. There were a couple of action scenes in there, especially at the ends of the books, but the rest of the time, the characters didn't seem to be accomplishing anything. This lack of action is what ultimately lessened my enjoyment of the books.

As in the previous three books, however, Gentle gives us strong, vivid characters and realistic surroundings. I actually felt as if I was trapped within the frozen city. Her descriptions are subtle, but effective and her characters interact with one another and react to their surroundings just as you or I would. The only thing that kept me turning the pages was a desire to see what the characters would do next (hoping all the while that they would actually DO something).

The ending of this final book in the series seemed strange to me as well. It is sort of an epilogue to both the story of Ash and the story of the historians of the wrapper story. The last twenty or so pages seemed kind of tacky. They seemed to weaken the overall story and I could definitely have done without them. I will say, though, that the ideas espoused in the wrapper story are some of the most unique story ideas that I've seen in a long time.

If what I've described sounds like something you'd enjoy, then you probably will. It's hard not to like the characters and Gentle's handling of them. You want to see them succeed and you feel for them when they don't. However, if you're looking for a fantasy book about mercenaries that's heavy on action, I'd have to recommend either Elizabeth Moon's DEED OF PAKSENARRION trilogy or Mercedes Lackey's BY THE SWORD. Though not as sophisticated as this series, the action is a lot more rousing and there are fewer slow places.

Finally the last book of The Books of Ash. This is a series that I finished rather quickly, it took me about 2 months the most to finish this series. It was totally worth it.

This book starts immediately where the last one left off. At the loss of Duke Charles, we find that there is a new leader of Burgundy. This new Duke of Burgundy is all that lies between The Wild Machines victory not over Burgundy but of Europe and perhaps more. Ash finds herself with a new mission statement, PROTECT THE NEW DUKE !! Still stuck behind Dijon, time is running out for Dijon and its inhabitants be it soldiers or civilians. One way or another be it on the battlefield or of starvation and disease its a no win situation, and things look grim. Yet there is hope, Ash finds out that she plays a far larger role than she could ever imagine and she has a couple tricks up her sleeve.

This series in my opinion was really great. I was utterly suprised how much I enjoyed it. I loved the first novel; The History of Ash, it was something new and fresh for me. Carthage Ascendant was the weakest of the series in my opinion, with The Wild Machines bringing back the series where it should be and Lost Carthage hitting the home run.

I loved the relationship between Godfrey and Ash very much. That was a very great twist and enjoyable for me. The Faris' character was shown alot in this book, her love for Violante and Adelize shown thru. Also, Ash almost became human of sort, in a sense of actual "caring" which is something that wasn't seen much of in the prior books (besides her imprisonment). I felt that Fernando Del Guiz was just dead weight in this book, he did not need to come back as he did, but oh well.

The one thing I was unclear about was the ending; It was too "far out" like it was...like outlandish of sort. I roughly understood it, but it sure was like "uhm, what just happend" kinda ordeal, but it is what it is. I'd definantely recommend this series to anyone. Thanks Mary Gentle !

Ash's story was originally published as one mammoth book in the UK. In USA (and the rest of Europe) divided into four tomes. A wise option IMHO.
"Lost Burgundy" is the fourth and last volume of this format.
As the tale was conceived as whole book, you definitely must read them in order. So my recommendation is start from "A Secret History" and then follow the thread to this overwhelming conclusion.

This is an alt-his tale full of attractive ideas, images, violence and well defined characters.

Ms. Gentle has researched both in medieval history and warfare; that allows her to present the reader with a very well documented backdrop.

The entire late middle age world is reconstructed accurately; its reality is overwhelming. The mercenary way of life, camping, battles, cities and courts are vividly described. The new alt-his issues & sci-fi elements e.g. Visigothic Carthage, the Stone Golem & the Penitence are as compelling.

The story is presented as a contemporary new translation of medieval manuscripts, with the addendum of new revolutionary documents recently discovered by a historian.
In the previous volume new unknown documents were unearthed by the editor and passed to the historian-translator. This volume corresponds to the last part translation.

Finally the emails exchanges between the translator and the editor become more and more significant to the story up to its conclusion.

Ash is a very young & capable mercenary leader that has been captured by the Visigoths and liberated by part of her faithful company. They had returned to a dilapidated southern Europe, reached besieged Dijon, and forced their pass and assist the election of a new Duke.

The new Duke in this case is a Duchesse and ... Ash's former surgeon. This fact gives a new turn to the whole story as Ash & the Duchesse learn why Burgundy is the main obstacle to the Wild Machines plots.

Characters are well fleshed, each with its own vital problems to solve and interact. Interesting issues about ethic, gender, love, politics, religion & warfare are presented to the reader in a shocking parade.

In this volume the fantastic and sci-fi elements continue definitely take a major role.

This book is strictly for adult readers due to its violent scenes and language; it will be fully enjoyed by alt-his lovers, fantasy fans & sci-fi buffs.

Reviewed by Max Yofre.

Mary Gentle is one of my favorite authors - although she is not a comfort read she is a skilled historian and really catches the military aspects of her story line well. Ash's earthy language is no worse than I've heard from my Marines many times. The plot line is weakened, however, by the two concurrent story lines set in two different times. This is a literary device which is rarely successful, and it is unfortunate to see an author of Mary Gentle's calibre use it as badly as she does. The issues which are raised by the use of such a plot are important in the eyes of the author - I have to admit that I, as a reader, skipped entirely over the e-mails and "current documents" portion of the book. Ash is the hero. Let Ash take center stage. Okay, probability and time and interpretation of history are important - but not necessarily in this story. Further recommendation- Read Rats and Gargoyles and The Architecture of Desire. Strong author, strong story, some mistakes, but nothing much to take away from the overall plot. Ash lives!!!!

A great conclusion to the series the earthiness of Ash and her company totally the opposite to the touchy feely niceness of Eddings & co made a refreshing change. Slighty disapointed with the ending but overall all four books have been well worth it.