Through darkest Europe

Harry Turtledove

Book - 2018

"A novel of a world dominated by a prosperous and democratic Middle East--and under threat from the world's worst trouble spot--[Europe]"--Jacket flap.

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Subjects
Genres
Alternative histories (Fiction)
Published
New York : Tor 2018.
Language
English
Main Author
Harry Turtledove (author)
Edition
First edition
Item Description
"A Tom Doherty Associates book."
Physical Description
317 pages ; 25 cm
ISBN
9780765379986
Contents unavailable.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Alternate historian Turtledove (A Different Flesh) gets heavy-handed with this allegorical novel that swaps clichéd ideas of Europe and the Islamic world. Senior Investigator Khalid al-Zarzisi, a Muslim, and his partner, Investigator Dawud ibn Musa, a Jew, have flown from Tunis to Rome to assist Grand Duke Cosimo in dealing with the increasingly dangerous Aquinist fanatics. The Aquinists take to an extreme the general European distrust of science and devaluation of women, unlike the very liberal and technologically superior Muslim republics. While Khalid and Dawud are well-drawn characters, with Dawud having a delightful sense of humor, the two are more observers than investigators. They visit a few hot spots of Aquinist activity, get involved in a few firefights, and make cogent suggestions to the grand duke and the pope, but are often simply witnesses or commentators. Readers are left with the ongoing, barely nuanced comparison between the modern, enlightened Muslims and the backward Christians, and the inference that actual history and politics can be just as easily simplified. Turtledove's characters provide some interest, but this take is generally unsophisticated and unsatisfying. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.


Review by Library Journal Review

Islam leads the world toward secular tolerance and prosperity in Turtledove's newest work. Meanwhile, the more radical factions of Christianity are performing terrorist acts to bring about "the will ofGod." Jews are still a persecuted sect by all sides. The story follows Dawud and Khalid, Mulsim representatives assisting the development of a path to peace in Italy. The Pope as the spiritual head and the Grand Duke as political leader are attempting to remain on friendly terms with the modern world's Islamic majority while maintaining peace by not alienating the more radical elements of Christianity. VERDICT While not as globally focused as his World war series, this latest from Turtledove will have readers of alternate history who enjoy delving into religious and political implications appreciating it as the tables are turned on the past 1,500 years.-Mark Hanson, Maranatha Baptist Univ. Lib., Watertown, WI © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.