New historical fiction on Alexander and friends

[sikander]

Greetings, Memory,

"I also enjoyed reading ‘Aniketos.’ I thought it was an easier read than the first book, which was made difficult by an unusually harsh portrayal of both Philip and Olympias. If the first volume was a treatise on power, the second one was on change and immutability. In a world of change following Alexander’s ascension to the throne, Hephaestion and Alexander’s steadfast devotion and friendship was an immutable factor that governed their life. Like you, I also think that the final volume will be a difficult read. .."

I am almost dreading the third book. I get a sense of where it will HAVE to go, as the author is, in my opinion, doing a good job at examining and exposing human nature, especially inside the combination of power and intrique. Even the titles have a lot of foreshadowing in them...

"I really enjoyed Sigrid Simms’ Lion of Macedon. I thought she did a great job in recreating a fictionalized world of Alexander. Beware of the shades of Renault in it though…"

Thank you for the note on Simms. I was hoping to start that book this month but it looks like another project will consume my time. I have. however, put it on the shelf near my desk so I can try to snatch brief reads...

"Both Wood and Simms are able to put forward a believable story regarding the connection that Alexander and Hephaestion had. I am usually a bit wary about narratives that feature a first person point of view due to the unreliable narrator problem. Happy to note that both Wood and Simms avoided this issue; their Hephaestion is a reliable and credible narrator. It is fascinating to see Alexander through his eyes. Both of them remain true to the ancient biographers of Alexander with respect to the major events and people in Alexander’s life. More importantly, both are able to portray a realistic sense of the power distance between Alexander and Hephaestion. They are able to capture the man who elicited such a monumental display of grief and devotion from Alexander."

Wood, for me, is capturing the thoughts well of someone who is caught in the trap of the limbo between a group and a leader, knowing both sides are watching. I also appreciate the author's portrayal of the leader- the King- who has to appear to be whatever each person needs, while not losing sight of himself and never fully letting the walls down, except to one most trusted, which makes that one so all-important. Anyone who has ever led a group of people, small or large, in high-stress/life-or-death situations filled with risk will understand both Alexander and Hephaistion's difficult positions.

Thanks again for the Simms note- I am now impatient to start!

Regards,
Sikander

[sikander]

Greetings Sweetmemory41,

I just found out that the Argent Wood books are now going to be a tetralogy (quartet?). Got word Vol 3 is finished and going into publication soon, but there was so much material it was going to be 1000 pages or so, so the author was advised to split the books. I understand the decision, having seen the weight of Simms's book!

Regards,
Sikander

[Sweetmemory41]

Greetings Sikander,

Thank you for letting me know about the Argent Wood books. I look forward to seeing how Wood will develop the rest of Alexander’s story. The ending of ‘Aniketos’ had an ominous foreshadowing, which did not bode well for the next book.

I am rather fond of long books if they are well written. For example, the works of Margaret George and Colleen McCullough are some of my favorites. Sigrid Simms’ ‘Lion of Macedon’ is one of my favorite Alexander novels, perhaps because of its detailed portrayal of people and events.

Cheers,

Memory

[sikander]

Greetings,
Just got word on the third of the quartet Argent Wood Alexander series (author Wood is good about replying to queries) . Title is "Kings and Traitors"; it should be out by the end of the month...
Looking forward to it.

Regards,
Sikander

[sikander]

Greetings Sweetmemory,

I have finished the third book- Kings and Traitors- and feel Argent Wood has done a good job of getting inside the minds of a number of the characters; the flow of personnel new and old, the little rivalries,the factions carried through... the intrigue of politics is well-done, the stresses between personal relationships starting to show and the pressure and stresses wel-done and believable (anyone who has been in similar situations will recognize the cracks that can develop) and the weariness of the army are all well-executed... it was slightly slower paced, I think because the author had to set several stages for the "end of the play" and had to show why the stresses, discontent, plots and character development/changes would have developed as well as carry the events forward.
Continuing on after a coffee break: I was adding some more about the third book but realized I can't say too much more or I could give away too much.. let me know when you've read it (or if); I would be interested in talking about some of the characters. I did like how minor (?) characters were introduced seamlessly; left me wondering how they will be dealt with in the final book.

In the book you recommended, did you feel it was more fantasy than historical? Does it lean towards the metaphysical?
Regards,
Sikander

[Sweetmemory41]

Yes, Sikander. I read the latest installment of Argent Woods’ fictional account of Alexander’s life. While I liked it well enough, there was something about it, a note of underlying poignancy perhaps, that made me uncomfortable. I found the main themes of the three books very interesting. If the first book is about “power and fear” and the second one about “promise and hope,” then surely “loss (and power)” is at the heart of Kings and Traitors. The layered presentation of loss that is depicted in it requires some processing time. Would love to chat about your take on Alexander’s arc in the book as it is contrary to the theme of the winner taking it all and more aligned with the warning that success has in itself the seeds of failure. I agree with you about the minor characters. Woods introduced them seamlessly.

Regarding “Young Conquerors: A Novel of Hephaestion and Alexandros,” I thought it was more historical than whimsical. However, please keep in mind that I have a low bar when it comes to historical fiction, especially when it is about the young Alexander. After all, we don’t know much about his youth. Historical inaccuracies regarding the period in a work of fiction don’t generally bother me, unless they are glaring.

By the way, I would recommend Rachel Kousser’s “Alexander at the End of the World: The Forgotten Final Years of Alexander the Great.” Except for part of the title, I really liked it. The reviews of the book in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) were fairly good; however, they are behind a paywall. (James Romm wrote the WSJ review. I don’t particularly like his take on Alexander based on my exposure to his works.) Here’s the review from the Los Angeles Times - https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2 ... rld-review.

[sikander]

Yes, Sikander. I read the latest installment of Argent Woods’ fictional account of Alexander’s life. While I liked it well enough, there was something about it, a note of underlying poignancy perhaps, that made me uncomfortable."

I would appreciate hearing more about this. What made you uncomfortable and why?
For me, watching the cracks appear and yet also seeing the two try to keep trying was quite realistic- all couples seem to have to work through kinks as years pass and events and other duties or people keep diminishing private time. At the same time, yes, it probably was uncomfortable because in so many other fictions, that is seldom explored, and the reader in Argent's book is privy to the private thoughts and worries of the two.

" I found the main themes of the three books very interesting. If the first book is about “power and fear” and the second one about “promise and hope,” then surely “loss (and power)” is at the heart of Kings and Traitors. The layered presentation of loss that is depicted in it requires some processing time."

I was fascinated by the losses of so many characters- dreams, position, status, jealosy beginning to infect friendships, the loss of cohorts and friends, of men losing horses...I absolutely understood THAT loss, being a horseman myself. I thought Darius was especially touching- to go so high and fall so far; even Parmenion and sons- THAT was an interesting perspective throughout the story and follow-through was well done.

"Would love to chat about your take on Alexander’s arc in the book as it is contrary to the theme of the winner taking it all and more aligned with the warning that success has in itself the seeds of failure."

I think it is playing out well so far, more human than most portrayals, less meglomaniacal- but you can see the impact of the realization that the world Alexander envisioned as a younger man is not going to be possible, since men themselves- and human nature- will not allow it to be so. I think some people don't want to see Alexander as a man- gifted, yes, different from most, yes, someone who feels deeply, cares much, but a man nevertheless who can be ruthless and pragmatic when needed but still carry the weight of his decisions- in other words, a human who, being intelligent and gifted with an inheritance, a good mind, powerful parents and status, and good friends, and dreams for a different world (idealistic at first) tried for something bigger than himself.

In a way, I can see defeat ahead, yet a road back as well as, so it remains to be seen what Argent will do with it....

" I agree with you about the minor characters. Woods introduced them seamlessly. "

Yes, I thought that was well done in each story. Each character introduced as a major player or secondary seems to be getting a solid start and finish.I also have liked "getting inside" the thouhts of the characters- major and minor. Actually, I fele that is one of Argent's strengths- her humanization of people, no cardboard cutouts in her books! These are 3 dimensional people with flaws and good points.


"Regarding “Young Conquerors: A Novel of Hephaestion and Alexandros,” I thought it was more historical than whimsical. However, please keep in mind that I have a low bar when it comes to historical fiction, especially when it is about the young Alexander. After all, we don’t know much about his youth. Historical inaccuracies regarding the period in a work of fiction don’t generally bother me, unless they are glaring."

I'll keep that in mind- I am not obsessed with historical accuracy so long as it isn't glaring also, as you said, but I want believeable characters and development through the story- in other words, just like peopl ein real life chnage as time passes. Do you think the author has handled that well?

"By the way, I would recommend Rachel Kousser’s “Alexander at the End of the World: The Forgotten Final Years of Alexander the Great.” Except for part of the title, I really liked it. The reviews of the book in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) were fairly good; however, they are behind a paywall. (James Romm wrote the WSJ review. I don’t particularly like his take on Alexander based on my exposure to his works.) Here’s the review from the Los Angeles Times - https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2 ... rld-review."

Thanks. I'll take a look

Regards,
Sikander

[Emma]

Sigrid Simms’ ‘Lion of Macedon’ is one of my favorite Alexander novels, perhaps because of its detailed portrayal of people and events.

Hi : )
Thank you for the recommendation, How historically accurate do you think the book is? I'm considering ordering it but debating whether the high price is worth it.
(primarily from an anachronistic point of view, I’ve already read too many books about Alexander that, with just a few changes in technical details, could have been written in modern times…)