Latro in the Mist by Gene Wolfe (2003)

Back in 1986, I was given a copy of Soldier in the Mist, a fascinating novel of an ancient warrior with a curse that allows him to remember only what happened in a day: once he slept, all his memories disappeared. This is a wonderful work, but with a bit of a cliffhanger ending that left me wanting more. I never ran across the second volume, Soldier of Areté (these were pre-Amazon days) and soon I had moved onto other tales. Imagine my delight when Latro in the Mist turns up: a compilation with both titles in one fat volume that satisfies my craving for completion.
Latro was a Roman mercenary who hired himself out to King Xerxes of Persia. During a battle, he had the bad judgement to fight on the grounds of the shrine of the Earth Mother, who cursed him with the loss of his memory, not just from the time of the fight, but for all his adult life and every day after. The book is a translation of archaic Latin, written on scrolls that were Latro’s memory aid: notes to remind him every morning of who he was and what he had done. An interesting story concept and one that both presents us with the character’s history and still leaves plenty of plot growth. The foreword provides background of how the scrolls were found and also on the period of history involved. Latro means brigand or pawn and is obviously not the soldier’s real name. What is real and not real is a problem for Latro because his curse has the added feature of allowing him to see and talk to supernatural beings. He will soon learn that his discussions with the river-man, golden god or comely nymph are not something others can share. If you have a background in Greek mythology, you will quickly be able to put together the clues Wolfe gives us as to who this being are, but keeping a myth reference book nearby is not a bad idea.
This is a quest story, with the hero definitely seeking himself in the most blatant terms. To escape the curse, he must journey far and make amends to the Earth Mother, with the help of a fellow soldier and a slave girl who was gifted to him by a God. Wolfe takes us to the world of ancient Greece, from war and magic, gods and adventures. And although this is an adventure story, it is also a Gene Wolfe story, with all the complexity you would expect. Like much of this author’s writing, this is not a light work and will require some concentration, but you will be well rewarded with a fascinating tale that brings new life to old myths. The characters are well rounded and you will soon be rooting for Latro and all his companions, as their dreams and hopes are revealed. I am not disclosing a great deal of the plot because I don’t want to spoil any of the surprises in the story. Wolfe furnishes many delights in these two stories and some may require a second or third reading to reveal.
If you are like me and read Soldier in the Mist but never found the sequel, rush out and get Latro in the Mist now: you won’t be disappointed. If you have never run across these jewels before, you are in for a treat! Join Latro on his journey and you will see ancient Greece and her myths in a new way.
Originally published in The Alexiad: contact jtmajor[at]iglou.com for more information. ( )