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The Last Gods of Indochine Samuel Ferrer 9789881219886 Books

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The Last Gods of Indochine Samuel Ferrer 9789881219886 Books

Great writing, and an interesting use of historical fiction with two separate but ultimately connected storylines from the past. The first story is set in the 13th Century reign of the Khmer King Jayavarman VIII and the second between the 1860s and1920s. This is a well written quality read. I found every chapter to be entertaining in of itself and so maintaining a strong desire to read on. I would have liked an ending with a few less swirling dreams and rather more ‘facts’. Most of the characters names are borrowed from history but precious little that is actually known about them. With such a thin veneer of known history perhaps the ending had to be mysterious and ephemeral, leaving a host of possible paths along with the unsubstantiated assertion that science and not religions’ unprovable possibilities dictates our fate.
I am critical of historical fiction that use long dead names but so little of the admittedly thin history. I can forgive such a high degree of storytelling in the ancient plot, but the use of real people from modern history with the employment of so little factual information about them is hard to accept. Nevertheless, I can’t imagine that many living relatives will find much to question. Ferrer avoids deformation of character and we are already a century away from their variously esteemed lives. The broad-brush strokes all feel to accurately reflect the periods, and magic aside, are very believable. Perhaps I am allowing my love of history to make me over critical of this historical fiction, and certainly many reviews suggest that I am.
Ferrer’s descriptive writing is first class. I can imagine that all his readers entertain the same picture and social interactions almost exactly as I do. I could easily imagine myself to be an observer on the ’passenger’ boat, in the biplane, or climbing the walls of Angkor Wat. I could smell the gangrene, feel the shacking earth, hear the booming shells, recalled in the mind of the volunteer auxiliary nurse, from the front-line hospital wards of WWI. I could feel that I was amongst elephants, monkeys and exotic people in two distinctly woven times in Indochina.
Why does the title use the word Indochine rather than Indochina, when it is written in English? I have no idea. I see no sign of a French language version of this book. And why the last gods, when that certainly isn’t in any way the case? Perhaps, once more my concern is isolated and obtuse.
This is a very enjoyable read, especially for those that like to set their minds on travels through distant times and civilisations. Five stars, where those stupidly uninformative and variably indicative ‘likes’ are required. This book is strong on description that drives it plot rather than plot that needs description between its scaffolding. Good writers can take one anywhere in time, real or imaginary, Ferrer can do that with aplomb.


Tags : The Last Gods of Indochine [Samuel Ferrer] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <b>NOMINATED FOR THE MAN ASIAN LITERARY PRIZE ("The Booker of Asia") <br />~ "EDITORS' CHOICE"</i> by The Historical Novel Society</b><b> and Book Browse<br />~A Bookworm Beijing Book Club Selection of the Month</b><br /><br />Jacquie Mouhot and Paaku the Lotus-Born are divided by six centuries but linked by a common curse. In medieval Cambodia,Samuel Ferrer,The Last Gods of Indochine,Signal 8 Press,9881219884,FICTION General,FictionHistorical - General,FictionLiterary

The Last Gods of Indochine Samuel Ferrer 9789881219886 Books Reviews

Well written and well researched novel that enlightens the history of Indochina. Great first novel by new author!
I love this book! Ferrer ties together three stories from three eras. Each are fascinating, and told in elegant and lively writing. I'm excited about what he will write next.
Full disclosure I first read it when
it was an in- progress manuscript. The finished book is impressive even if it weren't the author's first.
Beautifully written.The vivid details of surroundings were rich and fresh. There were pages to linger and let the sense of place wash over you, and intense passages where I couldn't turn pages fast enough. I expected the story of an actual, physical journey, but the bigger picture of politics and dogma, religion and superstition, karma and faith, are themes I am still chewing on days after finishing the book. An excellent debut from this author.
The historical fiction, The Last Gods of Indochine, was beautifully woven in between two story lines in 1921, Jacquline, the granddaughter of the renowned French explorer, Henri Mouhot who unearthed Angkor Wat, set out a journey to Cambodia following her grandfather's steps; in 13th century Khmer Empire, Paaku, the Lotus Born boy, who believed to be the incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu and possess a magic power, entangled in a power struggle of religion and kingdom. The two seemingly irrelevant story lines intertwined intricately as the story progressed. Jacqueline and Pukka, being six centuries apart, linked to each other by a mystical curse. The story ended with a surprising twist. Intriguing and captivating, it is a real joy to read!
Having not much historical knowledge of this region of the world, The Last Gods of Indochine opened a fascinating new door as I found myself immersed in and engrossed by the mysterious Khmer culture. Transporting me with lucid and vibrant descriptions of a lost time, the writing is tight and eloquent which sets a steady, page-turning pace. I particularly liked the author's illustrative passages as they pertain to (the various character's) consciousness in the context of "visions", "sleep", and "death". Character psychology is dynamic and well drawn in tandem with the alternating chapters of story line which deftly culminate for a very satisfying end. Not only a very good novel to escape into, but one which imparts a certain wisdom of humanity, as "past" contrasts with "modern".
Great writing, and an interesting use of historical fiction with two separate but ultimately connected storylines from the past. The first story is set in the 13th Century reign of the Khmer King Jayavarman VIII and the second between the 1860s and1920s. This is a well written quality read. I found every chapter to be entertaining in of itself and so maintaining a strong desire to read on. I would have liked an ending with a few less swirling dreams and rather more ‘facts’. Most of the characters names are borrowed from history but precious little that is actually known about them. With such a thin veneer of known history perhaps the ending had to be mysterious and ephemeral, leaving a host of possible paths along with the unsubstantiated assertion that science and not religions’ unprovable possibilities dictates our fate.
I am critical of historical fiction that use long dead names but so little of the admittedly thin history. I can forgive such a high degree of storytelling in the ancient plot, but the use of real people from modern history with the employment of so little factual information about them is hard to accept. Nevertheless, I can’t imagine that many living relatives will find much to question. Ferrer avoids deformation of character and we are already a century away from their variously esteemed lives. The broad-brush strokes all feel to accurately reflect the periods, and magic aside, are very believable. Perhaps I am allowing my love of history to make me over critical of this historical fiction, and certainly many reviews suggest that I am.
Ferrer’s descriptive writing is first class. I can imagine that all his readers entertain the same picture and social interactions almost exactly as I do. I could easily imagine myself to be an observer on the ’passenger’ boat, in the biplane, or climbing the walls of Angkor Wat. I could smell the gangrene, feel the shacking earth, hear the booming shells, recalled in the mind of the volunteer auxiliary nurse, from the front-line hospital wards of WWI. I could feel that I was amongst elephants, monkeys and exotic people in two distinctly woven times in Indochina.
Why does the title use the word Indochine rather than Indochina, when it is written in English? I have no idea. I see no sign of a French language version of this book. And why the last gods, when that certainly isn’t in any way the case? Perhaps, once more my concern is isolated and obtuse.
This is a very enjoyable read, especially for those that like to set their minds on travels through distant times and civilisations. Five stars, where those stupidly uninformative and variably indicative ‘likes’ are required. This book is strong on description that drives it plot rather than plot that needs description between its scaffolding. Good writers can take one anywhere in time, real or imaginary, Ferrer can do that with aplomb.