Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin

[JaneConsumer]

My earlier review, reposted here:

It seems like the re-telling of the Aeneid has captured the attention of publishers. Lavinia is the second book I've read recently to interpret some part of the original story.

Whereas Black Ships, which I reviewed here (http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=342), re-tells the story from the oracle, Sybil's, point of view up to the landing in Latium and Aeneas's marriage to Lavinia, Le Guin's interpretation gives voice to Lavinia. In a sense, it interprets the rest of the story - from the marriage to Aeneas's death and beyond.

I enjoyed both of these books, but I liked Lavinia more. Read the full review (http://fuzzyhistory.com/2008/08/03/lavinia-by-ursula-k-le-guin/) on Fuzzy History.

[xiaotien]

thanks for the review!

le guin is my favorite fantasy author
and i'm eager to read this. i think
it's FANTASTIC she's writing well into
her 70's!

i very well may read this next.
i got it off my wishlist for my bday.
yay!

[JaneConsumer]

I hope you enjoy it, xiaotien! It was my first Le Guin. I'm not much into science fiction or fantasy, but I really enjoyed Lavinia.

[xiaotien]

you've convinced me to read it next!

and i love le guin for her deceptively simple
clear prose and storytelling style. so quiet
and beautiful.

[Divia]

I was thinking about buyin this one...now I'm off the fence and just need to fork over the cash. :)

[xiaotien]

i'm reading this very slowly, as i've
been doing revisions with my editor for
the debut. we're working hard to meet
that summer '09 publication date!

anyway, thoroughly enjoying lavinia.
i love love love ursula le guin and envy
her prose and storytelling.

it makes me want to read the aneid again!!!

[xiaotien]

i just finished it.

it was wonderful, in a prose
that only le guin can write.

i highly recommend it.
it made me cry.

now i want to reread the aeneid.