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Title: Aztec by Gary Jennings ISBN: 0-8125-2146-3 Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 15 August, 1997 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.69 (188 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Push a nut between your mother's great legs...
Comment: ...From The Monitor...
Aztec, a firm epic story by Gary Jennings is so spectacular, that I would be willing to read it at one o'clock in the afternoon, middle of July, laying down shirtless on black asphalt. Impressed? Aztec is an epic historical fiction novel, often categorized with James Clavell's Shogun or the works of James A. Michener, which enraptures its audience with a firsthand vivid account of the 16th century life of the Mexicatl (Aztec) people in their city Tenochtitlan (present-day Mexico City). Jennings uses 'Mixtli' which is Nahuatl (language) for Dark Cloud, to tell the story of his life ab ovo. Mixtli tells his story to an audience consisting of friars, a bishop and scribes whom were charged by the King of Spain to write down verbatim the words that escaped Mixtli's mouth so that his august Majesty could know of the people (Aztecs) he had recently conquered.
Jennings reveals a people, a place, and a time period that is often forgotten. He takes you through religious ceremonies, sacrifices, and festivities that are completely alien to any of today. The myths, suppositions and lore of the Mexica people come alive through Mixtli's narration. Mixtli's life is exciting and diverse, he wears many hats: a scribe or 'word knower', a peddler of booty, a passionate and sometimes clumsy lover, a cartographer and a very unlikely warrior. Mixtli travels throughout his nation and to far off lands and experiences much through intention, and more often, through error. He learns various tongues along his travels and eventually picks up Spanish, which makes him a great but reluctant tool of the Spaniards. So much of Jennings' novel is comprised of such a wealth of sensible, believable information that it is easy to forget Aztec is a fictional account. I would be hard pressed to prove or disprove the elements of truth in Aztec. I can only rely on the experts: Professor J. Pino of Kent State University found Aztec's representation of culture and religion a "total horselaugh"; the Denver Post had this to say: "The history, geography, art, literature, and religion of the Aztecs are all here, along with a wealth of information about the people themselves and the way they went about the business of living." Now what? Even the 'experts' seem dubious. To any reader of historical fiction, it should be evident that certain liberties are taken regarding factual information; something may be added or subtracted, or even sugarcoated for effect, this is often called 'artistic licensing'.
Whether or not you believe Aztec is a grandiose misrepresentation of the Mexica people during Spain's occupation in Mexico during the 1500's, or an accurate story down to the letter about the ways and means of a great people, you simply cannot deny Jennings' skill of seizing readers' curiosity, welding their hands to the book. Although, I must admit there were times when I felt dirty reading portions where Mixtli nonchalantly addressed incest or grisly religious rituals, purportedly indigenous of the Aztec people, it has been the best read of the summer. In reading Aztec, I spent most of time admiring Lake Texacoco, enjoying walks through the great city of Tenochtitlan, and despising the "smelly" Spaniards for their 'divine' right to pursue "Gold, Glory and God". I could empathize with Mixtli in the good times and the bad.
However, when you pickup Aztec, don't expect a quick read, for it is 1000+ pages, but expect to live, or at least dream of life among the Mexica people for days to come. Jennings has finished this race first place.
Rating: 5
Summary: Most engrossing historical novel I've ever read!
Comment: My headline just about says it all. I won't get into details, but let's just say this book HAS IT ALL. Blood (lots and lots and lots of it, both in war and in human sacrifices), sex (lots and lots of it, mostly kinky) and more plot twists than you can shake a stick at.
But the culture explored is absolutely fascinating. The Aztecs are loving shown here, in all their alien rituals. We are repelled by their way of life, yet Jennings makes us understand totally where they are coming from, and we begin to accept that way of life as a perfectly viable one (not one I'd care to live in, but the people are not shown as cowering in fear either). When the Europeans finally invade and make life miserable for the Aztecs (and Incas and Mayans), we are totally sympathetic with their plight and totally engrossed in our major character. If you like historical novels, there is no way you won't eat this thing up, unless you're squeemish.
If you don't usually enjoy them, give this one a try. It is far superior to most, in my opinion. You'll learn things you never knew (I guarantee it) and you'll love it.
One word of warning...it's a long, long book, and the first 75 pages or so are a bit slow going. Stick with it...the remaining 1000 pages or so will fly by, and you'll be sad when it's all over. (Thank God there is a sequel...actually two sequels, but the third book was not written by Jennings, and is a travesty, I think.)
Rating: 5
Summary: Give me more, Mr. Jennings! Please, I need more!!
Comment: Simply amazing!! I read peoples reviews who gave this book anything less than 4 stars, and surprise, surprise, most of their reviews on other books are extremely critical as well. Don't listen to them. If you have a passion for ancient cultures, are open minded and not easily offended, this book is for you! This man clearly did his research. Anyone who claims they could have predicted what life "really" would have been like in ancient Mexico, and thinks that there are discrepancies in this story has no way of proving it. Again, lets remind the critics that history is all interpretation. These differences can be so far as black and white. There is nothing wrong with filling in the blanks with your own marvelous imagination if you possess the talent for it, as Mr. Jennings obviously does.
Oh, and by the way, about the book being too long; it wasn't long enough! I wish it were 10,000 pages!
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Title: Aztec Autumn by Gary Jennings ISBN: 0812590961 Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 15 August, 1998 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Aztec Blood by Gary Jennings ISBN: 0812590988 Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 19 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Journeyer by Gary Jennings ISBN: 1568496966 Publisher: Buccaneer Books Pub. Date: June, 1998 List Price(USD): $58.95 |
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Title: The Road Show: Spangle #1 by Gary Jennings, Gary Jennings ISBN: 0812564715 Publisher: Forge Pub. Date: 01 February, 1999 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: RAPTOR by Gary Jennings ISBN: 0553562827 Publisher: Bantam Pub. Date: 01 June, 1993 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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