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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Don't think fantasy, LeGuin's usual genre, with this book. Think different perspective on The Aenead. Lavinia is the princess Aeneas marries at the end of The Aenead, and she never speaks in that book. LeGuin gives her a voice here, telling the events of The Aenead from Lavinia's perspective,...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “I probably should have more of a classical education to enjoy this story. I enjoyed LeGuin's writing, but was often lost in the 'Aeneid'ness of it.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“It got me through a very hard time in my life so im grateful for this book”
WildShadow agrees with britt,=( wrote this review Friday, November 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I probably should have more of a classical education to enjoy this story. I enjoyed LeGuin's writing, but was often lost in the 'Aeneid'ness of it.”
Reilly wrote this review Sunday, October 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“As the daughter of a King, and an only child, it is Lavinia's duty to marry. Although presented with many suitors, there seems to be only one choice; Turnus, a neighbouring King who is both youthful and handsome. However an oracle foretells a different choice of husband for Lavinia; a choice that leads to war.
Larissa wrote this review Monday, September 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
When Lavinia is eighteen she travels to Albunea, a sacred place, to seek guidance. There she meets a man who will change her life. He offers her guidance, prophecy and hope. He is a man responsible for giving her life, a name, but no voice. He is a shadow, once a poet, but now a dying man, who has yet to be born.
Lavinia is but a background character, a bit part in a greater story of the exploits of men and gods. She existed only as a daughter, wife and mother of great men, of Kings. But now she speaks, giving herself a voice, a life filled with myth, history, war and love.
This is a book you will either love or hate. The only thing missing from Lavinia is Chapters, but how do you divide a life, section memories? Lavinia is unique, beautifully written and highly creative. A story that stays with you long after the last word is read.”
“I think librarians will be confused about how to label this book. Historical fiction? Yes. Mythology? Yes. Classic Literature? Yes. Feminist Literature? Yes. It is not necessary to have read Virgil's, Aeneid, prior to this, although it certainly helps. Le Guin's novel stands alone, earning its own place in literature.
Mark V wrote this review Thursday, August 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
First of all, I loved the title character; she has intelligence, charm, and is a doer. She fights for her voice in the novel, even if it is only as slight as an owl's hoot.
Next, I loved Le Guin's sentence crafting. She is a master in writing some beautiful sentences and there are many to be savored.
Last, and something I find fascinating, I loved how she created a meta-fictive book. She has the poet (we all know it is Virgil) re-appear and he acts as a spirit-prophet in telling Lavinia her future since, after all, he is there imaginative creator. But only to a point, since that is as far as he wrote--she will have to determine how the book will end. This made the final 80 pages of the book more exhiting than the previous pages. This quality, for me, was worth the price of admission alone.
One last bit. Don't expect this to be a high-plot, screaming action adventure story. It is about relationships, events, and having the character to live around them. And violence. But if you want something that is classic yet innovative, Le Guin has it here.”
“Elegant writing, fascinating story, memorable characters.”
Elizabeth B wrote this review Tuesday, July 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“well written description of times long ago - as good as her other novels”
Polly R wrote this review Sunday, June 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Little is known about Lavinia, Aeneas of Troy’s second wife, with whom he founds his empire. Now Ursula K. Le Guin turns her incredible talent to give voice to Vergil’s silent character from the Aenead.
Gardendale Staff wrote this review Friday, June 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Growing up in peaceful Latium, a beloved daughter of King Latinus, Lavinia knows more freedom than many princesses. She roams the hills and forests of her homeland and visits the sacred springs. It is at one of these sacred places she first meets the poet who tells Lavina she is destined to marry a great man from Troy and with whom she will have just a few short years. But her mother and most of the kingdom favour Turnus, the king of neighboring Rutuli and Lavinia’s cousin as her match. And so, when the oracle tells King Latinus to marry his daughter to the Trojan outsider a bitter civil war breaks out, a war that breeds resentment for years to come and shapes the kingdom that will become Rome.
Le Guin, drawing on Vergil’s original tale, creates a realistic mythological account of a shy girl who becomes a strong partner to a great hero and passionate heroine in her own right.
”
“Little is known about Lavinia, Aeneas of Troy’s second wife, with whom he founds his empire. Now Ursula K. Le Guin turns her incredible talent to give voice to Vergil’s silent character from the Aenead.
Jenne J wrote this review Friday, June 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Growing up in peaceful Latium, a beloved daughter of King Latinus, Lavinia knows more freedom than many princesses. She roams the hills and forests of her homeland and visits the sacred springs. It is at one of these sacred places she first meets the poet who tells Lavina she is destined to marry a great man from Troy and with whom she will have just a few short years. But her mother and most of the kingdom favour Turnus, the king of neighboring Rutuli and Lavinia’s cousin as her match. And so, when the oracle tells King Latinus to marry his daughter to the Trojan outsider a bitter civil war breaks out, a war that breeds resentment for years to come and shapes the kingdom that will become Rome.
Le Guin, drawing on Vergil’s original tale, creates a realistic mythological account of a shy girl who becomes a strong partner to a great hero and passionate heroine in her own right.
”
“Maybe I'll have to read this one again becasue I usually like Ursula LeGuin much more. Lavinia is a minor character in Vergil's The Aeneid; Ms LeGuin tells us her story. I've never read Vergil; that might make a difference.”
Caroline S wrote this review Friday, April 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
