Lavinia is a work of historical fiction, I think, by an author best known for her science fiction writing. We also have the ghost of a dead poet, oracles and ancient pagan rituals. The main character, Lavinia, tells us her version of her part in the tale told by the poet Vergil from The Aeneid. In Vergil's version she apparently only gets a mention in passing. Ursula LeGuin breaths life into Lavinia in such a way that you feel you are her closest confidant. These are the days when Rome was simply known as the place of seven hills and the Greeks had just recently won the war with the Trojans who are now scouting out locations for a new settlement. The arrival of the Trojans in Latium (Lavinia's hometown in ancient Italy) proves to be a major turning point in the novel. I liked the way LeGuin takes us back in time and inside Lavinia's head, so that we don't doubt her decisions. We have confidence in her trust of prophesies. She is steadfast, even stubborn and that is admirable because young beautiful women in her times are often used as political bargaining chips. This is not a complex story, it is easy to read, yet I know that Lavinia's story will stick with me and I will think of her for a long time.
16 comments:
oh i luv it when i read a book and so fall in luv w/ the characters that i am thinking about them as real people when i'm done:)
I studied The Aeneid at school (well part of it) and probably not the bit with Lavinia in, 'cos we did the beginning, and he got to Carthage and brome Dido's heart. Virgil's poetry is beautiful.
that's "broke" Dido's heart!
val- yes, this story takes place after he leaves Dido.
I also did the Dido in Carthage bit during my Latin lessons back in the day! How quickly time passes. Claire, you should totally put this review up on Amazon.
In the US, latin is not taught in regular public schools anymore and I seriously doubt many have ever heard of Virgil the poet. My bro the college professor can read Latin and Greek. He's way smarter than me!
I thought I'd be smug and take Latin for my last year of a required language in high school; I bombed out Spanish II and there was no way I was taking Spanish III. Latin turned out to be WAY harder than I thought.
Jojo -I took 3 years of Russian in h.s. and 1 year in college. Can I speak Russian at age 50? Nope, but I can read some of it and I remember a few phrases. It's a lovely language that I wish I could speak.
My brother took Latin in high school. By the time I got there...It was gone.
I've actually never read anything by LeGuin. I started reading The Left Hand of Darkness, but lost interest. That's probably my fault though.
I really enjoyed LeGuin's "Earthsea Trilogy", but I've never read any of her other stuff.
I took Latin and studied Virgil and Homer. I can't say I excelled at the Latin but it was invaluable in studying English
Thanks for the thumbs up on the book. I have just read three books set in the tudors (faction) and am in the middle of quite a heavy biography of Mary Queen of Scots. Also about to finish (this evening) a book set in 11th Century France about one of Judaism's greatest scholars. It is the first of a trilogy; I have the second here, but I don't think the third one is written yet and I think I've only ever seen them in Israel.
Gee, now you know why I'm not around; I can't seem to get my nose out of a book these days. I must be getting through about 2 or 3 a week :>)
Diesel -don't bother with Lavinia then. The lovely Mrs. Diesel might possibly enjoy it. My rec for you- Freakenomics. I'm certain you'd like it.
Ann -Hey long time, no 'see'!!
It's wonderful to hear from you again. Did I ever mention The Gift of the Jews? If not, check it out, it's an awesome account of Jewish history and how much it influenced western culture (in a positive manner).
Thank you for this review. I've been looking for a good book to read. I'm going to give this a go. Great blog BTW. Keep up the good work.
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