Troy - Historical Fiction

If you know the name David Gemmell then maybe you are already a fan of this great fantasy fiction writer. I know I have a lot of his books, many of which I got by order from Canada or the UK well before they were available in the US.

David Gemmell has always had an interest in writing a novel based around the historical reality of Troy. In the past he has flirted with the setting and mythology of ancient Greece. His books "Lion of Macedon" and its sequel "Dark Prince" were both great stories about the Macadonian General Parmenion who was a Strategos to Alexander the Great.

His writing remains the same as ever, with a fast pace and quality plotting. The themes revolve around morality with plenty on religion and well-choreographed fight scenes.

What is excellent is how he has painted the violence and corruption of the ancient world in a very real way. He breaks down the mythical people and makes them all flesh and blood.

The hero is Aeneas (known as Helikaon) a Dardanian Prince. Also present is Hektor of Troy and the beauty that is to wed Hektor, the auburn-haired Andromache. Some interesting stuff about the mythical Helen of Troy can be read here. This is where Gemmell seems to be going. Into the love triangle between these three great characters, but many others are introduced as well.

Three lives will change the destiny of nations. Hellkaon, the young prince of Dardania, haunted by a scarred and traumatic childhood. The priestess Andromache, whose fiery spirit and fierce Independence threatens the might of kings. And the legendary warrior Argurios, cloaked in loneliness and driven only by thoughts of revenge. In Troy they find a city torn apart by destructive rivalries - a maelstrom of jealousy, deceit and murderous treachery. And beyond its fabled walls blood-hungry enemies eye its riches and plot its downfall. It is a time of bravery and betrayal; a time of bloodshed and fear. A time for heroes. In Lord of the Silver Bow, the first in an epic trilogy, David Gemmell combines vivid characterization with a wealth of historical detail in a compelling, unputdownable novel of love and hatred, ambition and rivalry, peace and war.

www.geocities.com...

Here is a good blog post written about this latest book:
mumpsimus.blogspot.com...

Anyway, David Gemmell is one of my favorite authors who introduced me to post-apocalyptic (the world topped on it's axis) gunslinger Jon Shannow, the deadly Tarantio the swordsman who was only one-half of a split mind, the archers Finn & Magrigg, the hero of Legend Druss, and the assassin Dykenas known as Waylander the Slayer.

All great adventurous and fun books.

We are not normally this frank, but when someone has no idea of plot construction, characterisation, or narrative drive we feel it is appropriate to advise you to rethink your career plans. You mention in your resume that you are working as a lorry driver's mate for Pepsi Cola. This is an occupation not without merit. Good luck with it'.

David Gemmell's attempts at novel writing in the early sixties received this response from the first agent he contacted. Luckily he was not deterred and since then has gone on to sell over 1 million copies of his books! As Time Out puts it, Gemmell is 'probably the finest living writer of heroic fantasy'.

Gemmell grew up in West London and was expelled from school in 1965 for gambling. He worked as a building site and farm labourer, lorry driver's assistant and doorman before becoming a journalist and editor of newspapers in East Sussex. This varied twenty two year long career ended after the publication of his third novel, the hugely successful Waylander: "I decided to use all the people I worked with in it and got sacked. The Managing Director regarded it as a poisonous attack on his integrity." He is now a full-time writer.

www.booksattransworld.co.uk...

List of David Gemmell books at Amazon