- Hardcover: 703 pages
- Publisher: Crown Pub (Jan 1993)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0517573644
- ISBN-13: 978-0517573648
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 16.3 x 6.1 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,691,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
Sargent (science fiction: Shore of Women; Venus of Shadows; espionage: Black Valentine) now turns her hand to the epic of Genghis Khan - as experienced by some of the innumerable women in the Khan's life. Yesugei, a Mongolian tribal chief, abducts Hoelun during her wedding journey, and together they engender Temujin, the military genius who will become Genghis Khan. Several years later, Yesugei dies, leaving Hoelun and her young family unprotected. Defenseless, they're expelled from the tribe, and Temujin is enslaved by yet another Mongolian tribe. Khadagan, a smart girl, helps him escape, however, and - many pages later - Temujin marries wife #1, Bortai, who provides him with the first of his warriors and who is later stolen from him as Hoelun was stolen from her first husband. Chilgar will father Bortai's first son, Jochi, whom Temujin accepts as his own when he steals Bortai back. Then, as a wealthy and successful warlord, Temujin begins a trajectory of marriages almost impossible to synopsize. They don't seem to influence the Khan's actions either in private or in public - as abductions, family and tribal hatreds, drunken orgies, marriages, and raids repeat like phrases on a scratched record, all sounding alike. The internecine rivalries defy comprehension, the battles are dull, and the sex scenes fall limp throughout 700 pages of repetitious, plodding prose. (Kirkus Reviews)
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
An epic of love, cruelty and betrayal in the age of Genghis Khan, written by the author of "The Shore of Women" and the futuristic "Venus" trilogy.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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1 review
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
The Novel as History
19 Jan 2004
Format:Hardcover
Pamela Sargent is generally thought of as a science fiction writer but she has actually written for several genres. One wonders why she chose Ghengis Khan as a subject but regardless of the reasons, I am glad she undertook this thankless task. Most Americans are unfamiliar with the great conqueror or are unaware that his empire was the largest empire in the history of the world.
The remarkable thing is that Temujin, his real name, was born in the desert of Mongolia without privelege. Over the years he transformed Mongol riders into killing machines and began an exapansion that for a time threatened to engulf the entire European-Asian landmass. It is hard to generate empathy not to mention sympathy for such a character but he was a reflection of his times - ruthless, loyal, brave, resourceful.
The novel begins when he is a child and follows his rise through the ranks by crafty politics, deal-making and fighting skill. The story captures the mood, the scenery, the pulse of life within the inner circle of the leader. The battles are detailed as are the geopolitical discussions. The action is in turns exciting, tender and mesmerizing. When he died his empire was divided among his sons and eventually fell apart. Today, less than 3 million Mongols eke out a subsistence living in the middle of Asia.
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