Book 14: Tigana

Submitted by mpd on Mon, 03/28/2011 - 19:57

Author: Guy Gavriel Kay

Published: 1999

Format: Paperback

Pages: 688

Start Date: 8 February 2011

End Date: 27 March 2011

Review:

How do I review a book that was so important to my teen years? A book that even now fifteen years later has the same profound affect? This is no small book at 600 odd pages but it is far weightier than could be imagined at first glance. This adventure will pull you in and keep you returning until the stories are all resolved.

The plots dance around each other drawing you ever further into the richly described world and the lives of the memorable characters. It’s a tale of struggle, of remembering family, of never-forgetting your roots. A story of patience to wait for the time to be right and of how to subtly force people to march to your drums. There is love and loss, life and death, uneasy peace and bloody war. The greatest plot though is of subterfuge, the subtle by-plays in the various political courts and also within the core group and their associates.

I remember being more interested in the sexual and romantic relationships when I read the book as a teen. Now, while I smiled at the half-remembered liaisons, the political intrigue of the freedom fighters fighting for their cursed, near forgotten country capture my attention more. I found myself willing them to succeed, the ending long forgotten over the span of years.

Tigana will always remain one of my most favourite books and worlds, that I will return to happily time and again.

I recommend Tigana to anyone who enjoys epic adventure with intriguing plots and memorable characters set in a beautifully descriptive world. I also recommend it to anyone wanting to understand something of what moves me, deep in the core of me.

Comments

I feel about the Fionavar

Submitted by Marike (not verified) on Tue, 03/29/2011 - 07:51.

I feel about the Fionavar Tapestry the way you feel about Tigana - I first read it in high school, and have probably read it five times after that - and everytime I remember why it is one of my favourite series. I need to find Tigana - I am sure I have read it, but that it was possibly years ago and I can only vaguely remember the details.

Fionavar Tapestry

Submitted by mpd on Tue, 03/29/2011 - 12:21.

I read the Fionavar Tapestry after this (as a teen) and was blown away by it. I even managed to get the complete trilogy (with matching covers) 3 times but gave them as gifts to friends to share the magic.

Guy Gavriel Kay has some of the most vivid worlds I have ever "visited" and I always look forward to reading his books.