Folio Archives 293: Count Belisarius by Robert Graves 2010
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1wcarter
Count Belisarius by Robert Graves 2010
This is great historical fiction.
Set in the Sixth Century AD, initially in western Turkey and Constantinople (Istanbul), but later throughout the waning Roman Empire from Carthage to Persia, this is the story of the greatest army general of the era, Belisarius, as told through the eyes of his household eunuch. Belisarius roams across the empire defeating nearly all of his enemies, but he is initially thwarted by a marauding whale!
It is a rollicking adventure, and although a long book, it is one that draws you in as you follow the adventures of the hero. From bordellos to palaces, cities to remote forts, the tale meanders across ancient Europe.
I cannot say I am a fan of the artwork in this book. As an example, the picture opposite page 28 is purportedly a lithe, nubile young gymnast, but in its muted brown tones looks like a tortured old hag.
There are 13 colour illustrations by David Hughes and three line drawn maps at the back of the book of Europe, Italy and Mesopotamia. The 448 page book is introduced by Lindsey Davis, the endpapers are plain black and the plain black slipcase measures 25.9x17.2cm. It is quarter bound in black buckram with orange paper sides, both covers printed with a colour picture.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
This is great historical fiction.
Set in the Sixth Century AD, initially in western Turkey and Constantinople (Istanbul), but later throughout the waning Roman Empire from Carthage to Persia, this is the story of the greatest army general of the era, Belisarius, as told through the eyes of his household eunuch. Belisarius roams across the empire defeating nearly all of his enemies, but he is initially thwarted by a marauding whale!
It is a rollicking adventure, and although a long book, it is one that draws you in as you follow the adventures of the hero. From bordellos to palaces, cities to remote forts, the tale meanders across ancient Europe.
I cannot say I am a fan of the artwork in this book. As an example, the picture opposite page 28 is purportedly a lithe, nubile young gymnast, but in its muted brown tones looks like a tortured old hag.
There are 13 colour illustrations by David Hughes and three line drawn maps at the back of the book of Europe, Italy and Mesopotamia. The 448 page book is introduced by Lindsey Davis, the endpapers are plain black and the plain black slipcase measures 25.9x17.2cm. It is quarter bound in black buckram with orange paper sides, both covers printed with a colour picture.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
2folio_books
>1 wcarter: I cannot say I am a fan of the artwork in this book.
It's by David Hughes. the king of ugly art. He's done a few for Folio and in my opinion they're all ugly. He does have his admirers, though. Fortunately, as you say, it doesn't detract too much from the book.
It's by David Hughes. the king of ugly art. He's done a few for Folio and in my opinion they're all ugly. He does have his admirers, though. Fortunately, as you say, it doesn't detract too much from the book.
3drasvola
>2 folio_books:
Ahh, yes! I'm one of those admirers. Great edition and illustrations.
Ahh, yes! I'm one of those admirers. Great edition and illustrations.
4red_guy
>2 folio_books: >3 drasvola: Me too - I sought this out particularly for the illustrations, having loved his work on the Juvenal Sixteen Satires. Hughes is a wonderful political cartoonist, which makes this such a good fit.
5drasvola
>4 red_guy:
I also have Juvenal's Sixteen Satires.
I also have Juvenal's Sixteen Satires.
7red_guy
Almost a fan club! Has he done anything else apart from this and the Juvenal for Folio? This is why we are desperately in need of Folio 75.
8AMindForeverVoyaging
>7 red_guy: He also illustrated A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Until Folio 75 comes along, you might want to take a look at this resource right here in the FSD group. You can use Ctrl-F to search for any particular name or title.
9mr.philistine
This screenshot from the Ardis Books Folio Society Archive also confirms four titles illustrated by David Hughes.
10MobyRichard
Considering the tragic farce that was the career and ultimate end of Belisarius, I agree the illustrations make sense. Doesn't mean I necessarily like them.
11folio_books
>8 AMindForeverVoyaging:
Ugh yes, two more of my least favourite Folios. I had to banish Connecticut Yankee from my shelves, it is so awful to look at.
Ugh yes, two more of my least favourite Folios. I had to banish Connecticut Yankee from my shelves, it is so awful to look at.
12red_guy
Thank you all for the enabling. Ardis is offline for me at the moment for some reason (or it is at least when I come to pay) but there are other vendors for the Twain. I particularly like the look of the Kesey, but that is crazy money if you can find it. Still, I am now lurking in anticipation of one, or both...
Hughes's style is very much in the Pollock / Steadman vein, but I do see that you might not have to worship at the dainty wee primrose strewn altar of Charles van Sandwyk (the mere sight whose work makes me want to scrub my eyes with carbolic)) not to like them.
Hughes's style is very much in the Pollock / Steadman vein, but I do see that you might not have to worship at the dainty wee primrose strewn altar of Charles van Sandwyk (the mere sight whose work makes me want to scrub my eyes with carbolic)) not to like them.
