Tigana

Rating:
Summary: A Dissenting View
Review: After reading various reviews on this novel I have to admit that I had high expectations for the story. It began promisingly enough, two men talking on the eve of a batlle which most likely would be their last night alive. From there, the novel went downhill rapidly, and even a curious revelation about a undistinguished charater, couldn't stem the feeling of utter helplessness that I had after wasting so many nights in this book. What bothered me was not so much that the main character has so little to do with the plot of the story, or that the action mostly takes place off stage, while we are left with boring sub-plots which go nowhere, and side characters who do little more than extend an already overlong book. No, what stuck with me throughout the story was the reliance on strange plot devices which, though unique, (bars which serve mostly wine, a chatelain who greets each new guest with a roll between the sheets ect.) led ultimatly nowhere. Why does one character, while riding in secret, insist on playing his pipes, even AFTER they have arrived at a safe destination? Why do we find out, belatedly, that one of the characters was born with a condition that leads him to a secret sect? Why does a woman, who has lost her land, her family, her brother, and her dignity, still choose to love the very person responsible for taking those things awat from her? Allright, so this novel is different in style and execution from many fantasy epics. And perhaps, I prefer those that wear their romance and adventure more clearly on their sleeves. But this book left me empty! I usually like to identify with one of the characters, wish, maybe that I was in his place, BE that person and share in his adventures. But that didn't happen with me here! Kay has effectivly stripped the sword from the term "Sword and Sorcery" and left us with a story...a land, that is a much less interesting place to be in than we are now. And that's not a place that I would want to visit again.

Rating:
Summary: Was a blade in my soul
Review: I was hesitant to review this book, because I'm not sure I can do it justice. This is one of those stories in which the very extremes of human emotion can tear the reader apart. And no one does it like Guy Gavriel Kay.

The ideas are revolutionary in a genre whose readers normally subsist on casual magic and Sword & Sorcery. Themes of memory, identity, destiny and freedom are seamlessly interwoven in a breathtaking tapestry; identity can only be founded on the recovery of memory, and it is only with a sense of identity that one can attain the freedom to fulfill one's destiny. 'Tigana' features characters who have had their identities brutally torn from them, and the result is that they are left empty and searching for a way to fill the void in their souls. Their desperate attempts sometimes lead them in the wrong directions, toward things which are cruel or unnatural, but provide temporary solace from the emptiness. The tragedy of their existence is especially wrenching in Kay's portrayal of love, as he shows that it cannot exist as long as there is no sense of identity, and hence, no freedom. Without these things, it is only a selfish grasping for rescue from emptiness, turning the act of love into a degradation.

Kay's portrayal of the characters is one of the high points of this book's brilliance. Who is the enemy? This is a question difficult to answer in a book which has characters on the 'good' side committing terrible acts, while the designated 'enemy' is a wonderfully complex character; and the fact that Brandin inspires such loyalty in his followers--and such love in Dianora, who had sworn to kill him--is totally justifiable, and may be shared by the reader. On the other hand, the soul-deep pain for which he is responsible--and for which he has no remorse--makes a strong case against him. There are no evil people or good people in this book: there are only evil actions, bringing this book into a realm of 'grayness' in its approach to good and evil which most fantasy avoids.

In addition to his skill in characterization, Kay knows how to plumb the very depths of human emotion, yet somehow without once lapsing into melodrama. All the extremes of pain and suffering are there, as well as the extremes of love and tenderness. And there is no better vehicle for these powerful emotions than Kay's gorgeous writing.

The ending fit perfectly with the rest of the story, tying together the themes of identity and destiny which the riselka had come to symbolize all along. Like a graceful end note to a piece of music, the last lines rounded it off and trailed away, softly.

For anyone who enjoys an unconventional fantasy with ambivalent characters, this is a must-read. Fans of George R.R. Martin should have no trouble with this aspect of the work. It is also recommended to anyone who wants some depth and power in their reading fare, regardless of the genre.

Rating:
Summary: Stop making comparisons
Review: While it's quite interesting to read and compare the opinions of readers, there is danger in basing your decision of whether or not to read a book on somebody elses idea of what makes a book. For one thing, we all read for different reasons. More specific to books like "Tigana," is the fact that genre readers (and I am one myself) tend to have very specific likes and dislikes -- and we judge books not on their merit as literature, but on how many of our fetish buttons they can press, (i.e., magical, horror, swords & sorcery, sci-fi, etc.). Also, amatuer reviewers often mistake conventions or even language they don't understand as flaws. That doesn't mean you shouln't read a book and comment on it. But please try to enjoy the books you read on their own merit, and avoid comparing them to books by other authors. "Tigana" is a book that transcends genre as few others do. The idea that the memory of an entire country -- its people, its landscape, its history -- can be struck from the consciousness of an entire race is so perfect, painful and universally understandable is what sets this book apart from others. Kaye is a writer who loves all of his characters -- and writes in such a way that his characters defy pigeon-holing as simply "good" or "bad" -- in fact, I'm afraid that many of the people who object to being confused about who "the good guys" are supposed to be have been spoiled by reading lots of bad genre, and watching too much television. Read something outside of genre! You'll be amazed at the insight it gives you when you go back. Anyway -- sorry to preach. "Tigana" has been one of my favorite books for about 15 years. I've read hundreds and hundreds of fantasy books, and there are very few authors apart from Orson Scott Card and maybe Storm Constantine (there i go go comparing) that can elicit the depth of feeling that Kaye can. I chalk this up to complicated and complete character development and a command of the language that goes beyond poetry. Finally, the story is almost overwhelming in its depth -- even though it evolves from a single premise: What if everything I know and love disappeared tomorrow, and there was nobody to tell, no one who remembered. Read this book. Read all of his books, and also read everything by Orson Scott Card that you can get your hands on. And don't forget about Joan Vinge (wo of her most under-rated books are extremely hard to find but worth the search, "The Summer Queen" and "The Winter Queen."

Rating:
Summary: One of my all-time favorite fantasy novels: Must Read
Review: I can't really describe what a wonderful experience it was to read this book, and how deeply it touched me. I have read scores of Fantasy novels, and I can recall very few that have ever gripped me like this one. You will grow to love these characters, this mythical place with an intensity that is startling. I was very, very sad when it was over. I felt completely drained. Do yourself a favor and read this novel, then read the rest of Guy Gavriel Kay's novels(must reads are a Song for Arbonne,Fionavar tapestry and Lions of Al-Rassan). Kay is one of the very best writers out there. His characters are so compelling, so real (no one dimensional people here...you will ache for all of the struggles that they go through, they are all believable, very compelling characters). Superbly written novel by one of Fantasy's greatest writers.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Amazing!
Review: Kays 'Tigana' could be the best book that I have ever read. Next to 'Ender's Game,' 'Dragon Prince,' and 'The Fionavar Tapestry' this book holds a special place on my shelf. Kay has an aptitude for making characters seem alive and vivid without sacrificing action or plotting. There are no lengthy chapters dealing solely with a single character's viewpoints. Kay brings the characters roaring to life with subtle, emotional passages that leave the reader feeling closer to both character and author. Kays characters remain with me for many months after reading the book, haunting me in my daily life. Paul, Dianora, Ammar, and many others have stayed with me. The plotting and action are superb. No quest-for-the-purpose-of-quest: characters are driven by emotions, and desires. Never have I seen a more beautiful blend of characterization and action. 'Tigana' is the story of a land that has lost it's name due to a treacherous-or is he?-sorcerer, and the band of patriots that fight to revive the beauty that was Tigana. Kay will keep you up late, and may spoil your appetite for other authors.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Great Book
Review: Tigana, disappointed most people because of the ending. I thought that the way it ended was very well written, because it was hard to chose which side was really the good one. That's the wonderful part of the book. You have to decide whether it's Brandin or Alessan who is the good one. You have a father's love and loss on one side, but the horror of losing the fabric of what you are, what is the source of your pride, your very soul, destroyed. But the same can be said for Brandin. Everything he had worked for, sought and wanted was tied up in Stevan. Tigana did an evil thing in killing him, but equally evil is losing your name. In most books, the tyrant is evil and cold hearted, but Brandin is a very tired and heart broken man. Dianora is the light of his life, and he hers, but he killed her family, her life, her home. Then there is Alessan, who has also lost a very precious thing. His mother's love. She pushes him away for his quest to give back their name. I think that Kay has written a very complex and very personal (for the reader) book. The choice is up to you who is good and who is evil. But everyone is wonderfully human, they make mistakes and misjudgements. That's why it is so good. You can relate to it. I give it five big stars.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This book is perhaps a great of Fantasy writing. It is sutbly written, but it contains such a great political and passionate backround. The people in this struggle to undo a terrible horror of losing their name, an anchor for their whole country, must use nothing but their minds, their feelings and their hearts. As things careen farther and farther out of control, as the story twists and turns in its many lovely parts, it is also a love story, a simple fact of acknowledging what the body knows but the mind can't accept. This is one of my favorite books of all time, and I rate it right up there with To Kill a Mockingbird and Far Pavillions. I loved this book.

-Kirsten

Rating:
Summary: The Most Amazing Book I've Ever Read! (and I read a lot)
Review: Tigana is amazing. I have read all of Kays books and this is by far the best. My paperback copy is held together with duct tape and the cover is gone, I've read it so many times.

Perhaps the best thing about this book is the characters. Each has their own, strong personality and (as has been repeated many times throughout these revieas) not even the "bad guys" are actually evil. The book is engrossing to read, even over and over and over again as I have. I still get tense and nervous and I still cry when I read it. Anyone who loves reading any kind of books will love this one!

--Cari : )

Rating:
Summary: Read once, and then again and again...
Review: This book is sheer beauty in words. From the time that I picked it up in high school only two years back to now having my own copy on my bookshelf, it's one of those rare finds that somehow manages to find a way into my brain -- and it stays there.

'Tigana' is one of the most complicated fantasy novels that I've ever read. Having come from the fantasy genres of Tolkien, Terry Brooks and myriad other writers, this was confusing at first read. From the khav halls of Astibar, where your first acquaintance with Adreano the poet starts the whole thread of the story, be prepared to buckle up and take a plunge into another adventure.

One of the best things about this book was its wide diversity of issues. Brandin of Ygrath was not the type of villain that I was used to, but his character was so well-developed that by the end, I felt like he was more human than Alberico of the Palm. His reasons for his wrath on Tigana are unmistakably human -- if I was Brandin, the reaction would be the same. Guy Gavriel goes deeply into destiny, weaving from the seemingly sinister dreams of Dianora Tigana bar Saevar to her final embrace into the life that was her future. Even the sexuality mentioned, although at times very graphic and gratitious, spins the story into many different areas of thought and character psychologies.

One cannot help but wonder how vast this book is. By the time I was done reading it, I've already been through Tigana's history and back. I've been acquainted with the many heroes and heroines of the novel -- Alessan, Baerd, Dianora, and Brandin my favorites -- and lived their lives out. And I was left wondering how can a book be so powerful and provoking of thought at the same time?

I read it again tonight and that testifies to 'Tigana's' awesome, spell-binding (no pun intended) power. A must read for all serious and intellectual fantasy fans!

Rating:
Summary: A beautifully written book
Review: Having read all of Kay's other books, I have to say this is one of the best. Unlike other people, I think the characterzation in this book was particularly good, because the characters were much more...three-dimensional(?) then those of other books.

For one thing, Brandin, one of the villains, isn't strictly evil. He's human, who lives and loves and is loved by others. The act that made him the bad guy was out of love for a killed son. That's one of the saddest parts of the entire book.

Also, I thought the minor characters were wonderfully detailed. Kay gave each of them their own personality, rather than being part of a faceless mob.

Characters aside, the storyline is great. The book is impossible to put down, and you feel like you're part of the story. Surely I wasn't the only one who laughed out loud at Aleis and Catriana's discussion of Aleis's younger sister, had a queer feeling of loss when you learned Adreano(a character only in a few pages of the book) had been killed, or felt their eyes widen in shock when they learned Rhun's true identity? Probably not.

Over all, this is a beautiful and extremly moving novel. Whether you read it or not is your decision, but I would recommend that you do.