"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Well, in the case of Troy by Adèle Geras, quite a lot, actually.
And it is, perhaps, because Geras is such a veteran of literature worth reading that she has managed this feat in a manner so refreshingly original and consummately believable. Geras approaches the stuff of legend in much the way that Kevin Crossley-Holland does in his book of Arthur, The Seeing Stone, by telling a big story in short chapters through the eyes of smaller people--in this case, principally, two young sisters in the royal households of Troy called Xanthe and Marpessa. As love triangles unfold, as the war rages to its well-known climax and blood runs at its thickest, our expert witnesses find themselves at the heart of incredible events--and in turn breathe life into traditional themes and ancient times that might otherwise have been the preserve of academics and scholars of Homer.
A frivolous and deliberate act by Aphrodite, the goddess of love, causes Xanthe and Marpessa to both fall in love with the same man--a wounded soldier called Alastor who arrives, writhing in pain, into the Blood Room where Xanthe nurses the slain. While the siblings clash and blame it all on the gods, other hearts are hurting too. Iason, stable boy to Hector, the son of Priam, has loved Xanthe since childhood. In turn, Polyxena, the granddaughter of Priam's singer, is in love with Iason. Alongside these cruel intertwined romances, some leading to tragedy and bitterness, the grim brutality of the climax to the Trojan War unfolds.
Troy is weighty in more ways than one. Yes, people are burnt to death, men slaughtered and women enslaved--but there are humorous crones and gossiping washerwomen too. Few punches are pulled here. But this is war, and anything less would be misleading. The writing is honest and skilfully rounded, the characters distinct and authentic. The setting is ancient, but the underlying messages are thoroughly modern.
Deservedly shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Book Prize, Troyis a must-read novel by a must-read novelist. (Age 11+). --John McLay
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Book Description Condition: New. . Seller Inventory # 52GZZZ009BYT_ns
Book Description Condition: New. . Seller Inventory # 5AUZZZ000OWC_ns
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Paperback. Publisher overstock, may contain remainder mark on edge. Seller Inventory # 9780544925465B
Book Description Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. 1.04. Seller Inventory # 0544925467-2-1
Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published 1.04. Seller Inventory # 353-0544925467-new
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 29027108-n
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9780544925465
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 9780544925465
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. The classic struggle between Greece and Troy brought to life by a panoramic chorus of voices both humble and high, human and divine. The siege of Troy has lasted almost ten years. Inside the walled city, food is becoming scarce and the death toll is rising. From the heights of Mount Olympus, the Gods keep watch. But Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, is bored with the endless, dreary war, and so she turns her attention to two sisters: Marpessa, who is gifted with God-sight and serves as handmaiden to Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world; and Xanthe, who is kind and loving and tends the wounded soldiers in the Blood Room. When Eros fits an arrow to his silver-lit bow and lets it fly, neither sister will escape its power. With vitality and grace, Adle Geras breathes personality, heartbreak, and humor into this classic story. This is truly an inspired novel, in which the Gods move among mortals and an ancient city is brought to life. A beautiful new edition of this tale of the Trojan War by award-winning author Adle Geras Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780544925465
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Brand New Copy. Seller Inventory # BBB_new0544925467