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I have just finished Mr Manfredi's book of fiction on Alexander and I put in the catagory of some of the comic books I used to read as a kid.
I read because I was interested in the fact that it is supposed to be the basis for the upcoming movie by luzman.
I really do not read much fiction(actually this is my first) on historical people but I gave this book a crack,any input if the rest of the series is worth the time?
I was confused about Alexander of Mossilian and his preoccupation with Italy,I have read quite a bit about Alexander the Great and recall having never seen much he every mentions about that theater of operations.
If I am missing something may someone be kind enough
to point me inthe right direction,please.
thanks Mark

Hello Mark, your message intrigued me but I think you are making a mistake in associating Alexander the Great with another Alexander who was the the brother of Olympias, one of Philip of Macedon's wives. Molossia, not Mossilia, was in Epirus and was an area of concern for Philip whilst he tried to secure a united Greece before waging war on the Persians. After defeating the existing King in 343 he installed Alexander, as a loyal alternative, in order to secure his South Western flank from attack. From the Manfredi books this is the Alexander that captures his sisters heart and is killed whilst Alexander the Great is away in Persia. Those books are a romantic way to begin learning about the man but try other non-fiction accounts to round out your understanding. Alexander the Greats aspirations were always towards Asia, get back to me for a chat or if you have any further questions!

An Entertainning book.

Hi Mark,

I have a good memory of this book, since thanks to it I became a philaléxandros when I was 11 years old or so. But then, and as I made more readings about him, I got to know that Manfredi's books aren't the best historically speaking. I think he sometimes describes a "common hero", and is not able to portray Alexander's image well, he is no different than any other. Olympias character is not well portrayed also, she is much more passionate and with a fierce character. Women in general are all described with stereotypes, far from reality. There's no mention of Bagoas, except for tiny ones (one would say that he wasn't important on Alexander's story, which is false), Hephaestion appears as a "mere" friend, and Alexander feels worse for Bucephalus' death than Hephaistion's death... And many other "inventions" created to make Alexander fit into the "typical hero" category.

The book is good for you to read if you are starting to know Alexander, and also entertaining. It helps in ordering which events happened when... just don't take it too seriously Mary Renault made a better historical fiction, extremely well written, and a closer approach to the real Alexander.

Kisses, Beatriki

These books are where I first found Alexanders Dog

Manfreidi's Alexander novels are pure pap. Nothing more and often very much less.

Beatriki's remarks are quite cogent. The entire fiction - and mistake it not, utter fiction it is - is predicated on the bold, masculine, heroic image: this is a Greek superstar.

It would not do to introduce pertinent personal points of sexual and character ambiguity such as the relationship with alcohol, Bagoas and, of course, his life long partner Hephaestion.

At least Gemmel had the sense to couch his fictional Alexander in fantasy terms to explain the "split" alcohol/paranoia part of the man. Even if he, too, left off the homerotic aspects.

Before he departs this earth, Gore Vidal should "do" Alexander. His "Burr" was a triumph of historical fiction as was "Creation". If you've not, do yourself a favour and read them.

Paralus wrote:Before he departs this earth, Gore Vidal should "do" Alexander. His "Burr" was a triumph of historical fiction as was "Creation". If you've not, do yourself a favour and read them.

Ah, but do you remember his movie, Caligula? That has to be the one time in my life when I can say, quite literally, that my "jaw dropped" while watching it. Just imagine what he might do with the banquet at Persepolis.

Best regards,

amyntoros wrote:

Paralus wrote:Before he departs this earth, Gore Vidal should "do" Alexander. His "Burr" was a triumph of historical fiction as was "Creation". If you've not, do yourself a favour and read them.

Ah, but do you remember his movie, Caligula? That has to be the one time in my life when I can say, quite literally, that my "jaw dropped" while watching it. Just imagine what he might do with the banquet at Persepolis.

Best regards,

Although, to be fair to Vidal, the "Caligula" that eventually hit the streets was not the one he wrote. When funding ran out Penthouse picked up the tab, and introduced all the naughtiness ... even most of the actors didn't know what was being done to the film. (John Gielgud was particularly appalled!)

ATB

Paralus wrote:Before he departs this earth, Gore Vidal should "do" Alexander. His "Burr" was a triumph of historical fiction as was "Creation". If you've not, do yourself a favour and read them.

Interesting you should say that, Paralus. Gore Vidal is one writer I have found extremely tiresome to read and, at times, unreadable. I couldn't get further than about 150 pages in "Creation". I then read "A Search for the King" which was such utter rubbish (I originally wrote something else and decided to amend it ...) that I reckoned he was entirely over-rated and that I wouldn't bother with any more of his work.

Maybe I should go back to "Creation" and give it another go ...

ATB

marcus wrote:[Gore Vidal is one writer I have found extremely tiresome to read and, at times, unreadable. I couldn't get further than about 150 pages in "Creation".... Maybe I should go back to "Creation" and give it another go ...

He can be somewhat opaquely obtuse at times. Some of his more recent outings might better have been written on toilet doors. You know the ones - in high traffic areas - where one desperately needs the current occupier forcibly removed from the cubicle with some alacrity. Joyce might do that job too...

That said, I quite enjoyed Creation. But then, I would wouldn't I? Here we have an ambassador of the Great King - to the Athenians in the 440s - bemoaning their entire lack of grace, their verbose sellf congratulation, their (in his view) exaggerated glorying in what they call the "great war for freedom" as they busy themselves purloining the tribute that was erstwhile the King's and their foul breath rank with onions and dried fish. Especially some egg-head by the name of Pericles who is leading them off to do battle with...who else...other "civilised" Greeks. And they call us Persians barbarians!

Yes, it did sort of grab my interest. Can't imagine why....

And that is an unfair slight Amyntoros...as Marcus has pointed out. I am, though, attempting to picture just which scene might have occasioned the momentary lassitude of the Amyntoros jaw musculature. Ahh, I've got it: Gielgud's wrist slitting.

How's the RSW by the way?

I tried three times to read "Child of a Dream". I honestly wanted to read it through because people were raving about it. Frankly, each time I couldn't get past page 35.
Was I missing something by quitting there? I guess being a devout Renault fan, I just didn't dig his style.

As for Gore Vidal's "Creation" I did read it cover to cover although I admit skimming some of the lengthier parts that became a bit dry. I was mostly intrigued with the beginning and the Persian stuff. I found it worth slogging through. Amazing research! (At the rate I'm going with my novel it will be just as long but hopefully not so dry!)

Paralus wrote:And that is an unfair slight Amyntoros...as Marcus has pointed out. I am, though, attempting to picture just which scene might have occasioned the momentary lassitude of the Amyntoros jaw musculature. Ahh, I've got it: Gielgud's wrist slitting.

I just remember the birthing scene ...

When I was at university my friend and I decided to rent the video of "I, Claudius" to help revise for our Roman History exam. The shop didn't have it, so we rented "Caligula" instead. Well, it was a slightly different way to revise Suetonius, but we passed the exam, all the same ...

M

Paralus wrote:And that is an unfair slight Amyntoros...as Marcus has pointed out. I am, though, attempting to picture just which scene might have occasioned the momentary lassitude of the Amyntoros jaw musculature. Ahh, I've got it: Gielgud's wrist slitting.

How's the RSW by the way?

Nope! It was those curiously imaginative bicycle-like pieces of equipment in one of the "orgy" scenes. Can't remember a whit about the plot, but I've never forgotten those bicycles!

The RSW was lovely while it lasted - thank you again. Now I'm back to the strangely desirable sweetness of a Mavrodaphne of Patras.

ATB