Memory, Sorrow and Thorn - Tad Williams (Tad Williams in general)

Member Name: nlingwood

Product:	Tad Williams in general
Date:	19/09/00 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Huge, and good enough to keep you reading

Disadvantages: Still not quite Lord of the Rings

Longer than your average trilogy, Tad Williams' fantasy epic spilled over into four volumes. And they're not small either, making it great value in words for your money. What is more important, and what keeps you reading all along, are the strong story and the detailed world he creates. The variety of characters, locations, cultures and history approaches Tolkien.

The world Williams creates is close in many ways to medieval Europe, especially before events take a fantastical direction. A heroic leader, Prester John, created an alliance of kingdoms. These have similarities to Rome, Scandinavia, England after the Norman Conquest, Wales and the steppes of Russia. Other, non-human cultures are gradually revealed including diminutive Trolls and the sinister Norns, a cold ancient tribe in the frozen north.

Like many a fantasy epic, it centres on the growth of a central character, a youth picked out for some special role. The alchemist Morgenes adopts Simon, a boy of mysterious parentage. Gradually, the first book changes from a compelling tale of castle life to a sinister plot, as the new king Elias turns against his father's alliance. Fleeing to join Elias' brother Joshua, he learns more of a sinister long-dead enemy, who has some link to the young servant.

The elements in the story are often familiar, but Williams uses them well, producing a compelling read. His narrative draws in characters across his world, and a plot ties them all together. The dark scheme is only slowly revealed, and like the characters we are left guessing until the last chapters of the final book. The level of coincidence and eventual victory may be improbable, but the story carries you on with a minimum of disbelief. All you need is a lot of time … and a reinforced bookshelf.

Summary: