Troy
Adele Geras
Historic Fiction
60/358
The book begins in the city of Troy. The Greeks have the city under siege, and every day the soldiers of Greece and Troy throw themselves at each other in battle. Xanthe, a young Trojan girl, works in the Blood Room, the place where wounded and dying soldiers are delivered. A young soldier named Alastor is hurt in battle, and brought to the Blood Room. As Xanthe tends to him, Eros, the god of love, appears in the corner of the room. He shoots an arrow at Xanthe's heart, and she falls in love with Alastor. Xanthe cares for Alastor, and she longs for him. Soon, Alastor's mother comes in and makes a fuss, appearing rude and snappish to Xanthe. After the mother leaves, it seems that Alastor was only pretending to be sleeping, to escape the 'weight of his mother's love'.
The point of view changes to that of Iason. He is a friend of Xanthe's. He works caring for Lord Hector's horses. Iason hates the war, and is often made fun of because he is not a soldier fighting for his people, but the reason that he works in the stables and not on the battlefield is because he had an accident that prevents him from moving faster than a walk. He and Hector share the view that horses are as important than the men in battle. A horse has to be kept in good shape, because they are soldiers, too. Iason likes to speak to the horses as well, even though they can't reply, as does Hector. Iason secretly has feelings for Xanthe, who has been a good friend of his since they were children.
Another point of view shown is that of Polyxena, Xanthe's best friend. Polyxena takes care of her Grandfather, the Singer. He is the greatest storyteller, and, in his youth, told many great stories of love and war at Priam's (the father of Lord Hector) court. Polyxena has feelings for Iason, creating a love triangle. Polyxena wants to be the next Singer, after her grandfather passes.
Xanthe, when Alastor has fallen asleep and there is nothing else to do in the Blood Room, goes to Marpessa, Xanthe's sister. Marpessa is special. She can see the Gods when they appear. She is a maid to Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, taken from Greece by Paris, and the main cause of the terrible war. Xanthe tells Marpessa about Alastor, and Eros appearing before her and shooting her in the heart, because only Marpessa could understand that and not think her mad.
Response
I am satisfied with what I have read. The point of view constantly changes from character to character, and that makes in a little bit confusing, but as long as i can keep track of which character is which, it gives a wide amount of perspectives and points of view. I wonder if, later in the book, Aphrodite sees fit to mess with Xanthe's heart some more, making someone else fall in love with Alastor.
Passage
"She had never told anyone, not even Marpessa, of how frightened she was of everything to do with war. The sound of a sword blade striking a bronze breastplate, and the sight of horses, sweating in their harnesses and pulling the chariots, pounding over the earth at a gallop- it made her feel ill and cold."
(Geras 61)
I like this passage because it talks of how war isn't a glorious and dramatic affair, but it is full of despair and suffering. It's very ugly, and not honourable at all.
Adele Geras
Historic Fiction
60/358
The book begins in the city of Troy. The Greeks have the city under siege, and every day the soldiers of Greece and Troy throw themselves at each other in battle. Xanthe, a young Trojan girl, works in the Blood Room, the place where wounded and dying soldiers are delivered. A young soldier named Alastor is hurt in battle, and brought to the Blood Room. As Xanthe tends to him, Eros, the god of love, appears in the corner of the room. He shoots an arrow at Xanthe's heart, and she falls in love with Alastor. Xanthe cares for Alastor, and she longs for him. Soon, Alastor's mother comes in and makes a fuss, appearing rude and snappish to Xanthe. After the mother leaves, it seems that Alastor was only pretending to be sleeping, to escape the 'weight of his mother's love'.
The point of view changes to that of Iason. He is a friend of Xanthe's. He works caring for Lord Hector's horses. Iason hates the war, and is often made fun of because he is not a soldier fighting for his people, but the reason that he works in the stables and not on the battlefield is because he had an accident that prevents him from moving faster than a walk. He and Hector share the view that horses are as important than the men in battle. A horse has to be kept in good shape, because they are soldiers, too. Iason likes to speak to the horses as well, even though they can't reply, as does Hector. Iason secretly has feelings for Xanthe, who has been a good friend of his since they were children.
Another point of view shown is that of Polyxena, Xanthe's best friend. Polyxena takes care of her Grandfather, the Singer. He is the greatest storyteller, and, in his youth, told many great stories of love and war at Priam's (the father of Lord Hector) court. Polyxena has feelings for Iason, creating a love triangle. Polyxena wants to be the next Singer, after her grandfather passes.
Xanthe, when Alastor has fallen asleep and there is nothing else to do in the Blood Room, goes to Marpessa, Xanthe's sister. Marpessa is special. She can see the Gods when they appear. She is a maid to Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, taken from Greece by Paris, and the main cause of the terrible war. Xanthe tells Marpessa about Alastor, and Eros appearing before her and shooting her in the heart, because only Marpessa could understand that and not think her mad.
Response
I am satisfied with what I have read. The point of view constantly changes from character to character, and that makes in a little bit confusing, but as long as i can keep track of which character is which, it gives a wide amount of perspectives and points of view. I wonder if, later in the book, Aphrodite sees fit to mess with Xanthe's heart some more, making someone else fall in love with Alastor.
Passage
"She had never told anyone, not even Marpessa, of how frightened she was of everything to do with war. The sound of a sword blade striking a bronze breastplate, and the sight of horses, sweating in their harnesses and pulling the chariots, pounding over the earth at a gallop- it made her feel ill and cold."
(Geras 61)
I like this passage because it talks of how war isn't a glorious and dramatic affair, but it is full of despair and suffering. It's very ugly, and not honourable at all.
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