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A review by lgrunwald
Spartan by Valerio Massimo Manfredi
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5/5
"Shinning glory like the sun sets.
He turns his back to the people of bronze when Enosigeus shakes Pelop's land.
He closes his ears to the cry of his blood when the powerful voice of his heart calls him to the city of the dead."
Honestly? Wow. I'm actually baffled at how stunningly good this book is. I found this randomly, used, at a charity shop for two dollars and I can assure you this story was worth way more than that. Manfredi is an absolute master at mixing actual historical events within his fictional and almost fantastical tale. In his authors notes Manfredi says he was inspired by two survivors of the 300 battle of Thermopylae named Pantites and Aristodemus (who are Aghias and Brithos in the novel) while our main protagonist Talos is entirely fictional.
Here we have the story of a young boy named Talos who was abandoned by his Spartan nobel family for the sin of being born with a lame foot. Abandoned on the mountain side and left to the fate of the gods he was rescued by a shepard. A shepherd who belonged to the helots who were enslaved by the Spartans and are on the verge of rebellion. Then...a legend is born. From the mountains of Taygetus, to the battle of Thermopylae with the 300, to the turmoil of war in Asia, and a glorious return home and the fate of a whole people in his hand...Talos has a hero's journey worthy of any great Greek poem and it was an absolute pleasure to be there on his journey. A hero with two names, both Spartan and Helot, both loyal warrior of the Spartan state and a fierce freedom fighter for the oppressed...he is at the crossroads of his destiny and he must decide between the eternal glory of his Spartan heritage or the freedom of those who raised him and those he loves.
From epic battles, great historical references, prophecy, glory and honour, rebellion, love and loss...this book truely has it all. If you love ancient history and can't help but love a pinch of Homer like exaggeration then this is absolutely the story for you.
"Shinning glory like the sun sets.
He turns his back to the people of bronze when Enosigeus shakes Pelop's land.
He closes his ears to the cry of his blood when the powerful voice of his heart calls him to the city of the dead."
Honestly? Wow. I'm actually baffled at how stunningly good this book is. I found this randomly, used, at a charity shop for two dollars and I can assure you this story was worth way more than that. Manfredi is an absolute master at mixing actual historical events within his fictional and almost fantastical tale. In his authors notes Manfredi says he was inspired by two survivors of the 300 battle of Thermopylae named Pantites and Aristodemus (who are Aghias and Brithos in the novel) while our main protagonist Talos is entirely fictional.
Here we have the story of a young boy named Talos who was abandoned by his Spartan nobel family for the sin of being born with a lame foot. Abandoned on the mountain side and left to the fate of the gods he was rescued by a shepard. A shepherd who belonged to the helots who were enslaved by the Spartans and are on the verge of rebellion. Then...a legend is born. From the mountains of Taygetus, to the battle of Thermopylae with the 300, to the turmoil of war in Asia, and a glorious return home and the fate of a whole people in his hand...Talos has a hero's journey worthy of any great Greek poem and it was an absolute pleasure to be there on his journey. A hero with two names, both Spartan and Helot, both loyal warrior of the Spartan state and a fierce freedom fighter for the oppressed...he is at the crossroads of his destiny and he must decide between the eternal glory of his Spartan heritage or the freedom of those who raised him and those he loves.
From epic battles, great historical references, prophecy, glory and honour, rebellion, love and loss...this book truely has it all. If you love ancient history and can't help but love a pinch of Homer like exaggeration then this is absolutely the story for you.