Lezersrecensie
Book of brothers
Deze recensie heb ik ook geplaatst op Goodreads
"I am a caster of nets. Tyrants and emperors rise and fall. Civilizations burgeon then die, but there are always casters of nets. And tillers of the soil, and herders in the pastures. We are where civilization begins, and when it ends, we are there to begin it again."
Midnight Tides is the fifth book in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, but despite that, it can almost be read as a stand-alone. The plot unfolds like a classic tragedy.
The book explores various themes. The most prominent is the theme of imperialism, but not through the Malazan method, rather through the Letherii method. It depicts an extremely capitalist society where almost everything is expressed through debts. Erikson holds a mirror to the current capitalist society without being very specific in his allegory.
Furthermore, the book delves into family, family ties, loyalty, and fidelity. This is evident in the storylines of the Sengar and Beddict brothers. Simultaneously, it explores deception, influence, use, abuse, and power. This dynamic is expressed on multiple layers.
In addition to these rather heavy themes and sometimes extreme violence in the book, it is also very humorous. Erikson weaves a very funny storyline, in the style of Terry Pratchett with a Wodehousian touch to it. There have been several moments when I laughed out loud. In between the cyclones of bones.
All of this is tightly composed into a very focused story, with minimal digressions. The pacing is immaculate. The ending may not be what you would expect from a high fantasy book with aspects of military fantasy, but it is fitting. It leaves the reader with the question of whether, despite everything changing, anything has actually changed. Very well-written book. 5 stars.
"I am a caster of nets. Tyrants and emperors rise and fall. Civilizations burgeon then die, but there are always casters of nets. And tillers of the soil, and herders in the pastures. We are where civilization begins, and when it ends, we are there to begin it again."
Midnight Tides is the fifth book in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, but despite that, it can almost be read as a stand-alone. The plot unfolds like a classic tragedy.
The book explores various themes. The most prominent is the theme of imperialism, but not through the Malazan method, rather through the Letherii method. It depicts an extremely capitalist society where almost everything is expressed through debts. Erikson holds a mirror to the current capitalist society without being very specific in his allegory.
Furthermore, the book delves into family, family ties, loyalty, and fidelity. This is evident in the storylines of the Sengar and Beddict brothers. Simultaneously, it explores deception, influence, use, abuse, and power. This dynamic is expressed on multiple layers.
In addition to these rather heavy themes and sometimes extreme violence in the book, it is also very humorous. Erikson weaves a very funny storyline, in the style of Terry Pratchett with a Wodehousian touch to it. There have been several moments when I laughed out loud. In between the cyclones of bones.
All of this is tightly composed into a very focused story, with minimal digressions. The pacing is immaculate. The ending may not be what you would expect from a high fantasy book with aspects of military fantasy, but it is fitting. It leaves the reader with the question of whether, despite everything changing, anything has actually changed. Very well-written book. 5 stars.
1
Reageer op deze recensie
