The end of an era
I’ve just come to the end of a mammoth fantasy trilogy (I think it’s technically a trilogy although it’s actually in four volumes - the final book was split into two). Memory, Sorrow & Thorn by Tad Williams. Four hefty volumes. It was a bit of an odd experience. To be honest I didn’t enjoy the first book that much but was interested enough to keep going. The second book was much the same but having got that far it was a matter of principle to keep going. However, about halfway through the third I really started to get into it, so much so that I went straight on to volume four, which I’ve just finished. It’s a great feeling to have got to the end!
Memory, Sorrow & Thorn is a pretty bog-standard fantasy, which draws its material from various sources - mythology and other fantasy books. It’s about Simon, a kitchen boy, who of course is destined for great things. When things start going wrong in the castle where he grew up he makes a spectacular escape and goes off on adventures, meeting other characters along the way. It’s a nice change that there was also a strong female, adventuring character as well, even if their relationship had me irritated at times.
Here are the four volumes:
