Amy in TX Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 She recently finished Lavinia by Ursula LeGuin, and wants to read more like that. It's fantasy, but with an ancient setting--The Aeneid, retold from the point of view of the princess Lavinia, a minor character in the original epic. It's very beautiful, delicate, and subtle, with some romance but nothing graphic. It is not YA. She doesn't want to read LeGuin's other books, which I have, because she is not interested in sci-fi. She's picky about what she's willing to try, but asked me to recommend something similar to Lavinia. Any suggestions? TIA, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 How about The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood? It is The Odyssey from Penelope's point of view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in TX Posted August 6, 2012 Author Share Posted August 6, 2012 (edited) I hadn't heard of that! It sounds like something I'd like to read, too. Thanks! ETA: That reminds me of a poem by Dorothy Parker: Penelope In the pathway of the sun, In the footsteps of the breeze, Where the world and sky are one, He shall ride the silver seas, He shall cut the glittering wave. I shall sit at home, and rock; Rise, to heed a neighbor's knock; Brew my tea, and snip my thread; Bleach the linen for my bed. They will call him brave. Edited August 6, 2012 by Amy in TX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miselainia Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Have you read LeGuin's Earthsea series. It sounds like Lavinia in that its setting is of long ago (medieval?). It does have magic, but it isn't sic-fi. It's my dh's favorite series (and the only books that he read growing up). And thanks, MrsMungo, for The Penelopiad recommendation. I'll have to check that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in TX Posted August 6, 2012 Author Share Posted August 6, 2012 Have you read LeGuin's Earthsea series. It sounds like Lavinia in that its setting is of long ago (medieval?). It does have magic, but it isn't sic-fi. It's my dh's favorite series (and the only books that he read growing up). And thanks, MrsMungo, for The Penelopiad recommendation. I'll have to check that out. I'm not sure whether I have read that series--I don't have them at home. But I'll definitely look at them. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 LeGuin's other works at just as good. Adele Geras has a couple of really literary YA books that take place in the ancient world - not fantasy though, more historical fiction. Marion Zimmer Bradley has the book Firebrand about Kassandra and the Trojan War and it has some fantasy elements, IIRC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Oh, and The Thief is a YA fantasy series based loosely on ancient Greece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in TX Posted August 6, 2012 Author Share Posted August 6, 2012 Adele Geras has a couple of really literary YA books that take place in the ancient world - not fantasy though, more historical fiction. Marion Zimmer Bradley has the book Firebrand about Kassandra and the Trojan War and it has some fantasy elements, IIRC. Oh, and The Thief is a YA fantasy series based loosely on ancient Greece. Great, will check these out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jar7709 Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 I loved Lavinia. I'm currently reading "The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller, which I am really enjoying, it is a retelling of the Iliad from the point of view of a minor player. Heads up Achilles is in a gay relationship with the minor player (Patroclus), but imo it is very well done. When my kids are 17 I'd let them read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 great suggestions! :bigear::bigear: hopefully, ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in TX Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 I loved Lavinia. I'm currently reading "The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller, which I am really enjoying, it is a retelling of the Iliad from the point of view of a minor player. Heads up Achilles is in a gay relationship with the minor player (Patroclus), but imo it is very well done. When my kids are 17 I'd let them read it. Oh, yes, I have seen this and I'd like to read it myself. Dd has rejected it, though; she prefers a female pov. Like I said, she's picky... :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I've had pretty good luck finding books with the same "feel" using this site here: http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/ hth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I believe my daughter enjoyed Troy by Adèle Geras at about that age. C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold might also work. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El... Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 She might like CS Lewis' book, 'Til We Have Faces. It is a retelling of the Psyche myth, from the perspective of the sister. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caitilin Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 She might like CS Lewis' book, 'Til We Have Faces. It is a retelling of the Psyche myth, from the perspective of the sister. I was coming to recommend this one too. Great minds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jar7709 Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Oh, yes, I have seen this and I'd like to read it myself. Dd has rejected it, though; she prefers a female pov. Like I said, she's picky... :tongue_smilie: Female POV, huh? Maybe 'Household Gods' by Tarr and Turtledove? It is closer to scifi in that a modern woman ends up in ancient Rome, but it is cheap used so could be worth a look.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5wolfcubs Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 It's fantasy, but with an ancient setting--The Aeneid, retold from the point of view of the princess Lavinia, a minor character in the original epic. It's very beautiful, delicate, and subtle, with some romance but nothing graphic. It is not YA. I would describe Nefertiti by Michelle Moran almost exactly like that, except it isn't fantasy. It is told by Nefertiti's younger sister, Mutnodjmet. I highly recommend the audio edition read by Cassandra Campbell, if your library has it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in TX Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 I've had pretty good luck finding books with the same "feel" using this site here: http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/ hth! I'll be checking this site out for myself, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in TX Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 (edited) She might like CS Lewis' book, 'Til We Have Faces. It is a retelling of the Psyche myth, from the perspective of the sister. Female POV, huh? Maybe 'Household Gods' by Tarr and Turtledove? It is closer to scifi in that a modern woman ends up in ancient Rome, but it is cheap used so could be worth a look.:001_smile: I would describe Nefertiti by Michelle Moran almost exactly like that, except it isn't fantasy. It is told by Nefertiti's younger sister, Mutnodjmet. Wow, you all are great! Thanks for these suggestions, I will pass them on. :) Edited August 7, 2012 by Amy in TX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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