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Title: A Song for Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay ISBN: 0-451-45897-4 Publisher: Roc Pub. Date: November, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.43 (54 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: First rate
Comment: I had heard great things about Guy Gavriel Kay, and this was my first exposure to his work. To say that I was impressed is an unambiguous understatement. This is as good a fantasy novel as any I've read in a long time. He has created a rich and vibrant world brimming with well fleshed-out, interesting characters. The plot is relatively uncomplicated, but smart and extraordinarily well paced. In fact, the pacing is so good that the over used and hackneyed term "page turner" actually fits just perfectly.
The fantasy content of the novel is mostly limited to the creation of a world loosely based on medieval France. Magic is almost non-existent, and there are no trolls, elves, unicorns, etc. The story deals with very human emotions: love, loyalty, honor, duty etc., but also with jealousy, hatred, bigotry, and more. It is also an excellent political thriller with plenty of plot twists and turns. All in all, I could recommend this book to anyone, whether you are a veteran reader of fantasy novels, or a novice to the genre.
Rating: 4
Summary: Very good, but my least favorite by Kay
Comment: My first reading of Guy Gavriel Kay was The Lions of Al-Rassan, and perhaps reading such an excellent book has spoiled some of his others for me, particularly the Fionavar books and A Song for Arbonne. This is not to say that these are not excellent books-- in a genre where skill in writing seems to often come dead last, Kay's books are a breath of fresh air. However, Arbonne has far more weaknesses than some of his other books, like Lions, Tigana, or the Sarantine Mosaic.
As ever, the plot is enthralling right from the start and continues to do so throughout the book. The characterization is one of Kay's high points, and all the major characters and many of the minor ones are exquisitely done. The relationship between the protagonist, Blaise, and his older brother is not merely a one-dimensional rivalry; it is like real-life relationships, complicated and messy and tragic in its very humanness. The women are extraordinary, from Signe, the dowager countess of Arbonne, trying to save her country while still mourning her husband, to Ariane, who is trying to create a world in which marriages can be made with love, not just for dynastic reasons, to Lisseut, the singer who is trying to deal with the events happening to her and to her country.
So why, then, did this book ultimately disappoint me? I can't say without spoiling the ending, but be assured, it is a weak one. Kay has proved that he can pull off extraordinary plot twists-- in The Wandering Fire, Tigana, The Lions of Al-Rassan, and Lord of Emperors-- but his 2 major attempts to do so in Arbonne fall quite flat. In the end, I am left with a sour taste in my mouth, feeling as if I've been unfairly tricked. If you enjoy Kay, you will find Arbonne worth your while, but it doesn't compare to some of his other books. However, as a caveat, I should say that in the forums devoted to Kay , there are many who adore Arbonne unreservedly. Nevertheless, for me its weakness of ending undermines the general good quality of the book.
Rating: 5
Summary: Fights, Love, War & Music !
Comment: Guy Gavriel Kay here reaches new heights of eleqouence in prose and poetry.
Simply put, he manages to introduce you to characters who show that all sides in love and war are much more complex than we'd like to think them - and he teaches you sympathy and interest for everyone involved - the "good guys" and the "bad".
He shows both the darkness and the light in love and hate - and how closely to two are linked.
If you like romances,Kay shows you love scences and love stories that are much more than "thrustings" in the dark. If you like battle-adventure stories, and are fond of Tolkein, you enjoy some great fight scenes that show not only great action, but great emotion.
More depth than Goodkind - try it for an exciting and romantic read!
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Title: The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay ISBN: 0061056219 Publisher: Eos Pub. Date: 01 March, 1996 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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Title: Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay ISBN: 0451457765 Publisher: Roc Pub. Date: December, 1999 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Sailing to Sarantium (Sarantine Mosaic, Book 1) by Guy Gavriel Kay ISBN: 0061059900 Publisher: Eos Pub. Date: 01 January, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Lord of Emperors (Sarantine Mosaic, Book 2) by Guy Gavriel Kay ISBN: 0061020028 Publisher: Eos Pub. Date: 01 February, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Wandering Fire (The Fionavar Tapestry, Book 2) by Guy Gavriel Kay ISBN: 0451458265 Publisher: Roc Pub. Date: 08 May, 2001 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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