Swordspoint

Rating:
Summary: Wicked, witty, gorgeously penned, and not to be missed:
Review: "Swordpoint: A Melodrama of Manners" may have been published as fantasy, but this is a book for everyone who delights in fine prose, delicious dialogue, dazzlingly complex characters, and riveting story-telling. It's one of the best books I've ever read, and it's no surprise Kushner has a devoted following in the fantasy genre and among mainstream readers alike. If you love Dorothy Dunnett, then you owe it to yourself to pick up "Swordpoint"--as well as the sexy new novella set among swordmen in that same city called "The Fall of Kings" by Kushner and Delia Sherman (in the book "Bending the Landscape," edited by Nicola Griffith and Stephen Pagel.) I envy anyone reading this delightfully wicked novel for the first time.

Rating:
Summary: no fantasy at all, still...
Review: (i am not a native speaker, please overlook my style)
many reviewers have pointed out this be rather a regency novel than a fantasy and they are quite right: there is no magic at all, no quest; nothing endangers the world as it is known to everyone.
i should adapt the subtitle of the author herself: "drama of manners" (instead of "melodrama": there is nothing extravagantly passionate in her writing).

the world depicted here bears many resemblances to a preindustrial england, not only because of the english sounding names and titles of honour; the city itself with its murky river and its socially marked districts looks very much like a xvii century london would, not to speak of the characters' continuous talking about the weather and wool manufacturing.

manners are nearly everywhere: it is a constant care of the author to describe each of her characters by the way s/he speaks or acts or feigns, the last being the most usual of the three: psychological insights and flashbacks are quite rare, which is fortunate because she is not always proficient in them whereas she shows a subtle mastery in dialogues and twists of humour.

drama is its undercurrent: people die in this world, sudden, cruel, unjustifiable deaths; luckily enough ms kushner avoids any direct judgement and the moral flaws seem to gain prominence through this device.

the main flaw of this novel lies in the two main characters: st vier is a rather pale one though he gets better defined later on; his lover alec is a bigger than life neurotic and one never really understands why. their relationship, once one manages to suspend disbelief, is finely depicted though i always sense a woman's sensitivity in what is supposed to be a gay passion.
the villains are masterly outlined: all of them, with a special mention for the duchess: a splendid, poisonous butterfly with a wit as sharp as her malevolent tongue: i was charmed against my will and i expect only glenn close (or an older kidman) could bring her to the screen.

a shame this novel has not been filmed yet: in the expert hands of the director of dangerous liaisons it could reap academy awards. it is true that unless the director be a real genius all the masterly writing of ms kushner would be lost: the plot is convincing, the set is dashing but what really makes this novel worth reading is the writer's skill; she reminds me of jane austen (a very crude, cynical austen, of course) and if she fails to compare, already the fact ms kushner is able to remind us of her is boundless praise.

a note on this bantam spectra edition:
the novel is rather short, so the three short stories added though disappointing in themselves are a most welcome addition. the quality of the book (paper/ink) is very poor as seems to be the (bad) habit with u.s. paperbacks (oup's are just as poor but cost half as much); what is worse i did not expect to have to complain about an oversized praise placed right on the cover, be it one of george r. r. martin: call me conservative but i wish front covers to show only author's name, book title, publisher and an illustration.

Rating:
Summary: Read it because
Review: 1. Alec and Richard are lovers
2. A lot of amazingly developed characters
3. Story Line is twisted and surprising
4. it will give you realistic feeling, as if you're there.
5. The book will soften your heart and make your skin thicker.

Things I didn't like was that there was too much political stuff, though at times it was still kinda fun to follow. It also ended very fast... *grin*

I also have some thought on a story that concludes the book. I wrote some small, careful spoilers, but still it's

!!Spoilers!!

There is one little catch, there is an additional little story to the book called "The Death of the Duke" which talks of the last days of Richard and Alec and it was sad. I riped the little story out of my copy, then I talked to the writer herself about it and here's what she wrote:

"Nick, I love your letter! I'm not sure when I'll be able to post and answer it online, but for the sake of everyone who hated that last story, I will try to do so this year. Meanwhile, cheer up: I've just finished the draft of my next novel, which takes place 20 years later - in it, Alec & Richard fight a lot, but in the end they really do sail off into the sunset together, which should please everyone. Do remember, though, that "The Death of the Duke" is referred to as a "fantasia" - and that, for me, at least, whatever happens to them in their life, the fact that they come together in death is superbly romantic - and final! - and makes up for any false steps they may have taken in their life. I'm with you that it's gross to write stuff in which, in the end, the author subtly punishes characters for being gay. But I'm a sucker for liebestod.....maybe you just have to be wired for it.

Yours,
Ellen"

Overall, buy the book, it will intrigue you!!! I gave it 5 stars because it worth 10. The writing itself is smooth and beautiful. Ellen trully writes like an angel! If you like smart, twisted characters, a story that feels so real and actually makes sense, except doesn't really leave anything for you to learn from, buy the book!!!

Rating:
Summary: Read it because
Review: 1. Alec and Richard are lovers
2. A lot of amazingly developed characters
3. Story Line is twisted and surprising
4. it will give you realistic feeling, as if you're there.
5. The book will soften your heart and make your skin thicker.

There is one little catch however, there is an additional little story to the book called "The Death of the Duke" which talks of the last days of Richard and Alec and it was sad. I riped the little story out of my book. Then I talked to the writer herself about it and she said that for the sake of many hating that last story's ending, she's going to write a new novel this year that takes place 20 years after Swordspoint about Alec & Richard. She said the Death of the Duke was just a "fantasia" of hers, nothing more, and that we fans could just ignore it.

Overall, buy the book, it will intrigue you!!! I gave it 5 stars because it worth 10. The writing itself is smooth and beautiful. Ellen trully writes like an angel! If you like smart, twisted characters, a story that feels so real and actually makes sense, buy the book!!!

Rating:
Summary: Same Book?
Review: After reading many of the reviews I purchased the book and was
disappointed. I actually wondered if I was reading the same work as others had reviewed.

I mostly found the plot to be very predictable. The characters were bland.

And at the risk of being accused of being sexist, I propose that
female authors should not attempt to describe the feelings and actions of gay male characters.

Rating:
Summary: This book should not be allowed to end!
Review: Ah... There. Are. No. Words.

(And now, of course, I'm going to show myself a proper hypocrite by trying to write this review anyway.)

The book in pristine. That's the best word I have for Kushner's writing. Not a word wasted, not a moment dull. Nothing at all of questionable believability. Swordspoint is so easy to sink into and forget your way back. That kind of power at one writer's fingertips is almost scary and Kushner really, really does not waste it.

The world is so realistic that it takes itself for granted, leaving you no choice but to do the same. In a number of places, Kushner boldly discards convention - especially were traditional gender roles are concerned - and you find yourself taking that in stride, too. The effect is amazing, but it really does make you wander if there is any ridiculous thing she could not make you believe. You know - the sky is blue, the grass is green, the world's made of jello and politicians are sweet honest guys.

The center stage of the Swordspoint world is a single city that mostly put me in mind of post-revolutionary Paris. According to Kushner's afterword, there's quite a bit of London and New York mixed in, too. With the exception of fancy dresses and sword fights, which are in fashion, you could even cast this in the modern-day world (with a slight relaxation of morals).

The main characters are a famous swordsman called Richard and his lover, Alec, who's not an easy person to figure out on any day. The one of them that makes a living violently is actually a pretty calm guy, whereas Alec, the academic, has some pretty interesting issues with violence, drugs, death and, of course, the social order.

Well, I better stop before I give away the whole plot. It's sheer joy retelling it, but I promise Kushner does a much better job of it :). Suffice it to say, this is one of the few books I would really force of people ... even at sword's point ;).

Oh, and just one more thing (see, I can't stop!). In most of the good books I read, I start out liking the main character and identifying with them, but by the second half of the book I begin to pay much more attention to the supporting characters. After all, how much narcissism can you take from one person who insists on grabbing the center stage for his/her personal use for a whole book?! Well, in this book, no such problem exists. Richard doesn't spend all his time contemplating himself and his own problems. He cares much more for Alec who, god knows, has enough problems to entertain half the world for half a century :). It's a very refreshing change from the usual sob stories (of which I am, by the way, I great fan).

Rating:
Summary: Life by the point of one's sword
Review: Billed as a melodrama of manners, "Swordspoint" is a swirling tale of court intrigue, romance, and showy performances. Richard St Vier is a swordsman at the height of his prowess, hired by lords and ladies to fight duels for honor or for politics. He is the lover of a young and mysterious man called Alec, but he's unsure of where the relationship is heading. When Alec is kidnapped in an attempt to blackmail Richard into taking a job, the swordsman seeks revenge and becomes trapped in a maelstrom of machinations that could prove his undoing or even his death. Alec must make choices of his own, whether to reveal his true identity or not, which might be able to save his lover's life. This complex story is almost too heavy on intrigue because it becomes quite a challenge to remember it all, but it's buoyed by the romantic fantasy world Kushner has created. While I didn't entirely understand what made Alec and Richard stay together, I couldn't help but be caught up in the story to see where it all lead.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: Clever, witty, wonderfully detailed. Five stars are not enough, and I'm a picky reader. Kushner is a truly elegant writer with a gift for characterization. I can't believe I'm only now discovering her! SWORDSPOINT is a succinct, self contained story, but it makes one long for sequels.

Rating:
Summary: If Jane Austen and Rafael Sabatini Wrote A Book
Review: Ellen Kushner's first novel sets the standard for what a polite fantasy of manners and romance should be. Like Jane Austen, Ms. Kushner's language sparkles with wit and verve. Like Mr. Sabatini, the swordfight scenes keep one on the edge of their seat. Richard St. Vier, the hero, is as dashing and gallant as Basil Rathbone and Errol Flynn. The alluring Diane of Tramontaine is one of literature's cleverest femme fatales, and I would love to see a novel written just about her.

Rating:
Summary: Ellen Kusher is a master of the subltle fairy-tale
Review: Ellen Kushner's writing style reminds me of an intricate oil painting: layer upon layer of subtle color coming together to create a beautifuly detailed work of art. In each chapter a little more light is shed on the shadows, but just enough to keep us in a delightful twilight, until finally, at the end, we are left gasping with surprise at the outcome and wondering at the mind that put it all together so intricately