THE LIFE AND TIMES OF NICK CROWSON

Lord of the Silver Bow by David Gemmell

Book Review, April, 2017

The style of the book is one seeking to 'marry' the telling of a mythical tale, within the genre of a novel. Character names and situations portray on the one hand an historical likeness and accuracy - interpretations allowing; whilst on the other hand other characters are made-up to give the novel a greater reading effect.

This work is unusual in that the first chapter of the second part of this Troy trilogy is included at the end of this book proper. It contains 624 pages, which increases to 640 with the additional content of the opening to Troy (2), entitled Shield of'Thunder.

The first information presented is by way of a map, outlining the main landmass areas and islands of what is referred to as the 'Great Green', which describes the seas acting as interconnection between the arrangement of powers portrayed in this mythical epic. This is a useful means of referral, not only in this book but the following parts of the trilogy as powers line up in support or opposition to Troy.

No mention is given to the dated chronology of events in this work, but the siege of Troy is usually dated to the 12th and 11th centuries BC. This first novel of the trilogy is written in four sections; with much shorter lead-in and summary sections enveloping them. The story as Gemmell relates it revolves around principally the hero-figure Helikaon, known as Aeneas in Greek myth. He travels to Troy on the great warship, Xanthos, where he leads the defence against King Priam's enemies. he is ably supported by Agurios who finds himself with divided loyalties during the course of events. The third maincharacter is the Priestess Andromache. She plays a small part in Greek legend, but is established by Gemmell as a leading character, who is strong-willed and defiant in her approach to men and even King's, before maturing with age.

These three characters are introduced in the opening narrative, before the scene is set of King Priam and the golden city of Troy and later of alliances and treachery involved in an attempt to sack Troy The final part focuses on the battle for Troy.

I find the book a very credible and interesting read and will be keen to complete reading of this series and more of this author's numerous works.

Main Characters

Helikaon or Aeneas

King of Dardania and hero. He is presented as a troubled youth, who later gains respect for his vigour and strength, allied to a generous nature. But he is also ruthless.

Andromache

Priestess of Thera, on an island only inhabited by women. She has a relationship, with fellow Priestess Kalliope. She later travels to Troy as the intended wife for King Priam's son Hektor. She is strong-willed and defiant of men, even King's in the early days and always resolute.

Argurios

Legendary Mykene warrior. He is sent as a spy for Agamemnon on Helikaon's ship, but when attacked is forced by the 'law of the road' to defend Helikaon against his own kinfolk and is resultantly declared an enemy of Agamemnon

Odysseus

King of Ithaca and great fabulist storyteller. He is now a merchant King in great love with his wife Penelope, but who earlier had been known by the more militant title 'Sacker of Cities'.

Priam

King of Troy. Portrayed with little sympathy as a man dedicated to his self-hood, with little respect for those around him, including most of his numerous sons. That is apart from Hektor, his chosen one.

Agamemnon

King of the Mykenes and villainous threat to Troy. He is mainly a lurking background threat and manoeuverer in this first part of the trilogy