What do you think?
Rate this book
Turms, kuolematon
Turms, kuolematon on mystinen ja kiehtova etsijän odysseia Välimeren piiristä vuosilta 520-450 ennen Kristuksen syntymää. Paljon nauttinut, paljon kärsinyt Turms kertoo merkillisestä elämästään. Hän syyllistyy nuoruudessaan rikokseen, jota pakenee Delfoin temppeliin ja persialaissotien meritaisteluihin. Lopulta hän päätyy isiensä kotiin, etruskien kauniiseen maahan, jonka rinnalla Rooma on alkeellinen barbaarien kaupunki.
681 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1955
164 people are currently reading
1620 people want to read
About the author
Mika Waltari
235 books711 followersMika Toimi Waltari was a Finnish historical novelist, best known for his magnum opus The Egyptian.
Waltari was born in Helsinki and lost his father, a Lutheran pastor, at the age of five. As a boy, he witnessed the Finnish Civil War in Helsinki. Later he enrolled in the University of Helsinki as a theology student, according to his mother's wishes, but soon abandoned theology in favour of philosophy, aesthetics and literature, graduating in 1929. While studying, he contributed to various magazines and wrote poetry and stories, getting his first book published in 1925. In 1927 he went to Paris where he wrote his first major novel Suuri illusioni ('The Grand Illusion'), a story of bohemian life. In terms of style, the novel is considered to be the Finnish equivalent to the works of the American writers of the Lost Generation. (In Waltari's historical novel The Adventurer, taking place in the 16th century, the hero is a Finn who goes to Paris during his twenties and lives there a rather bohemian life). Waltari also was, for a while, a member of the liberal literary movement Tulenkantajat, though his political and social views later turned conservative. He was married in 1931 and had a daughter, Satu, who also became a writer.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Waltari worked hectically as a journalist and critic, writing for a number of newspapers and magazines and travelling widely in Europe. He directed the magazine Suomen Kuvalehti. At the same time, he kept writing books in many genres, moving easily from one literary field to another. He had a very busy schedule and strict work ethic. It has been claimed that he also suffered from insomnia and depression, sometimes to the extent of needing hospital treatment. He participated, and often succeeded, in literary competitions to prove the quality of his work to critics. One of these competitions gave rise to one of his most popular characters, Inspector Palmu, a gruff detective of the Helsinki police department, who starred in three mystery novels, all of which were filmed (a fourth one was made without Waltari involved). Waltari also scripted the popular cartoon Kieku ja Kaiku and wrote Aiotko kirjailijaksi, a guidebook for aspiring writers that influenced many younger writers such as Kalle Päätalo.
During the Winter War (1939–1940) and the Continuation War (1941–1944), Waltari worked in the government information center, now also placing his literary skills at the service of political propaganda. 1945 saw the publication of Waltari's first and most successful historical novel, The Egyptian. Its theme of the corruption of humanist values in a materialist world seemed curiously topical in the aftermath of World War II, and the book became an international bestseller, serving as the basis of the 1954 Hollywood movie of the same name. Waltari wrote seven more historical novels, placed in various ancient cultures, among which The Dark Angel, set during the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 is probably the best. In these novels, he gave powerful expression to his fundamental pessimism and also, in two novels set in the Roman Empire, to his Christian conviction. After the war, he also wrote several novellas, showing particular mastery in this genre. He became a member of the Finnish Academy in 1957 and received an honorary doctorate at the University of Turku in 1970.
Waltari was one of the most prolific Finnish writers. He wrote at least 29 novels, 15 novellas, 6 collections of stories or fairy-tales, 6 collections of poetry and 26 plays, as well as screenplays, radioplays, non-fiction, translations, and hundreds of reviews and articles. He is also the internationally best-known Finnish writer, and his works have been translated into more than 40 languages.
Waltari was born in Helsinki and lost his father, a Lutheran pastor, at the age of five. As a boy, he witnessed the Finnish Civil War in Helsinki. Later he enrolled in the University of Helsinki as a theology student, according to his mother's wishes, but soon abandoned theology in favour of philosophy, aesthetics and literature, graduating in 1929. While studying, he contributed to various magazines and wrote poetry and stories, getting his first book published in 1925. In 1927 he went to Paris where he wrote his first major novel Suuri illusioni ('The Grand Illusion'), a story of bohemian life. In terms of style, the novel is considered to be the Finnish equivalent to the works of the American writers of the Lost Generation. (In Waltari's historical novel The Adventurer, taking place in the 16th century, the hero is a Finn who goes to Paris during his twenties and lives there a rather bohemian life). Waltari also was, for a while, a member of the liberal literary movement Tulenkantajat, though his political and social views later turned conservative. He was married in 1931 and had a daughter, Satu, who also became a writer.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Waltari worked hectically as a journalist and critic, writing for a number of newspapers and magazines and travelling widely in Europe. He directed the magazine Suomen Kuvalehti. At the same time, he kept writing books in many genres, moving easily from one literary field to another. He had a very busy schedule and strict work ethic. It has been claimed that he also suffered from insomnia and depression, sometimes to the extent of needing hospital treatment. He participated, and often succeeded, in literary competitions to prove the quality of his work to critics. One of these competitions gave rise to one of his most popular characters, Inspector Palmu, a gruff detective of the Helsinki police department, who starred in three mystery novels, all of which were filmed (a fourth one was made without Waltari involved). Waltari also scripted the popular cartoon Kieku ja Kaiku and wrote Aiotko kirjailijaksi, a guidebook for aspiring writers that influenced many younger writers such as Kalle Päätalo.
During the Winter War (1939–1940) and the Continuation War (1941–1944), Waltari worked in the government information center, now also placing his literary skills at the service of political propaganda. 1945 saw the publication of Waltari's first and most successful historical novel, The Egyptian. Its theme of the corruption of humanist values in a materialist world seemed curiously topical in the aftermath of World War II, and the book became an international bestseller, serving as the basis of the 1954 Hollywood movie of the same name. Waltari wrote seven more historical novels, placed in various ancient cultures, among which The Dark Angel, set during the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 is probably the best. In these novels, he gave powerful expression to his fundamental pessimism and also, in two novels set in the Roman Empire, to his Christian conviction. After the war, he also wrote several novellas, showing particular mastery in this genre. He became a member of the Finnish Academy in 1957 and received an honorary doctorate at the University of Turku in 1970.
Waltari was one of the most prolific Finnish writers. He wrote at least 29 novels, 15 novellas, 6 collections of stories or fairy-tales, 6 collections of poetry and 26 plays, as well as screenplays, radioplays, non-fiction, translations, and hundreds of reviews and articles. He is also the internationally best-known Finnish writer, and his works have been translated into more than 40 languages.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
August 1, 2018
Un gran libro para cualquier persona interesada en leer sobre la Edad Antigua. En este caso Waltari nos lleva hasta el siglo V antes de cristo y de la mano del protagonista del libro nos recrea de forma magistral las civilizaciones que convivían en ese momento en el Mediterráneo. Aunque el nombre del libro pueda llevar a error pensando que la historia se va a centrar en recrear la civilización etrusca. Esta novela no es tan conocida como Sinuhé el egipcio pero es otra gran novela y me deja con ganas de seguir leyendo el resto de sus obras.
May 1, 2014
Good story, i like it, but I dislike the character of Arsinoe. I was hoping all the time, that Turms would get rid of her...
October 19, 2020
Turms, Immortal, is a story of Turms, The Etruscan. It's set in what is today Italy and Greece in about 500-450 bce. I don't know enough of that time to know how historically accurate this is, but it sounds good enough to me. It starts with Turms deciding to die, and while preparing for it, he thinks about his life. He was struck by lightning, and forgot his life, became a soldier and a pirate and having several other adventures. He is magical, loved by Gods.
I was slightly upset about Hanna, but she gets a happy ending, too. Not going to say more about that. It's just revealed on the last 10 pages, and there's some 500 pages to be read before that, so... :-D
I liked this story. And Arsinoë is an a-hole. *sigh* Like Nefer Nefer Nefer. Might not be quite as bad, I haven't read Sinuhe egyptiläinen, just heard stories about it. I haven't dared to read it because of those stories.
"...koska ei ole parempaa kielenopettajaa kuin nainen miehelle ja mies naiselle heidän eläessään yhdessä. Myös avioliitossa tapahtuu näin koska miehen ja vaimon on osattava toistensa kieltä voidakseen riidellä keskenään"
Haha! Ja minä kun luulin että olin hoksannut sen aivan itse :-D
Menin naimisiin 1999 ja olen siitä lähtien sanonut että paras tapa oppia kieltä on riidellä jonkun kanssa, varsinkin kun tämä joku on tarkka kielestä. Puolet riitelyistä olivat hänen moittiessaan jotain kielivirhettäni! Että ärsytti!
I was slightly upset about Hanna, but she gets a happy ending, too. Not going to say more about that. It's just revealed on the last 10 pages, and there's some 500 pages to be read before that, so... :-D
I liked this story. And Arsinoë is an a-hole. *sigh* Like Nefer Nefer Nefer. Might not be quite as bad, I haven't read Sinuhe egyptiläinen, just heard stories about it. I haven't dared to read it because of those stories.
"...koska ei ole parempaa kielenopettajaa kuin nainen miehelle ja mies naiselle heidän eläessään yhdessä. Myös avioliitossa tapahtuu näin koska miehen ja vaimon on osattava toistensa kieltä voidakseen riidellä keskenään"
Haha! Ja minä kun luulin että olin hoksannut sen aivan itse :-D
Menin naimisiin 1999 ja olen siitä lähtien sanonut että paras tapa oppia kieltä on riidellä jonkun kanssa, varsinkin kun tämä joku on tarkka kielestä. Puolet riitelyistä olivat hänen moittiessaan jotain kielivirhettäni! Että ärsytti!
November 18, 2020
Mika Waltarin "Turms, kuolematon" (WSOY, 1956 - neljäs painos) on ollut lukulistallani pari vuosikymmentä. Lukiossa olin suuresti vaikuttunut Sinuhe egyptiläisestä ja yritin samaan hengenvetoon ahmaista myös tämän samankaltaiseksi mainitun etruskiromaanin, mutten muistaakseni saanut luettua siitä edes ensimmäistä viittäkymmentä sivua. Ja samalla tavalla meinasi käydä nytkin. Lievien alkuvaikeuksien jälkeen tarina lähti kuitenkin rullaamaan ihan mukavasti eteenpäin, eikä sen viimeisteleminen tuottanut sen suurempaa tuskaa, vaikka varsinainen huipennus ehkä puuttui.
Lopputulos oli melko erikoislaatuinen sekoitus historiallista seikkailuromaania ja hämärän mystisiä elementtejä, jotka menivät hetkittäin maagisen realismin tai suoranaisen fantasiakirjallisuuden puolelle. En tunne riittävän hyvin antiikin historiaa sanoakseni miten hyvin faktat pitivät paikkaansa, mutta ilmeisesti etruskikulttuurin kuvauksessa ei ole ollut moitteelle sijaa.
Vähän harmillisesti keskeiset henkilöhahmot eivät olleet yhtä oivallisia kuin vaikkapa Sinuhe, Kaptah ja kumppanit olivat. Naisten roolitus romaanissa on (jälleen) aika mielenkiintoinen, tosin samaan hengenvetoon voidaan kai pohdiskella millaisia pässinpäitä miespuoliset päähenkilöt ovatkaan, kun sortuvat kerta toisensa jälkeen Arsinoen kaltaisen femme fatalen pauloihin.
Lopputulos oli melko erikoislaatuinen sekoitus historiallista seikkailuromaania ja hämärän mystisiä elementtejä, jotka menivät hetkittäin maagisen realismin tai suoranaisen fantasiakirjallisuuden puolelle. En tunne riittävän hyvin antiikin historiaa sanoakseni miten hyvin faktat pitivät paikkaansa, mutta ilmeisesti etruskikulttuurin kuvauksessa ei ole ollut moitteelle sijaa.
Vähän harmillisesti keskeiset henkilöhahmot eivät olleet yhtä oivallisia kuin vaikkapa Sinuhe, Kaptah ja kumppanit olivat. Naisten roolitus romaanissa on (jälleen) aika mielenkiintoinen, tosin samaan hengenvetoon voidaan kai pohdiskella millaisia pässinpäitä miespuoliset päähenkilöt ovatkaan, kun sortuvat kerta toisensa jälkeen Arsinoen kaltaisen femme fatalen pauloihin.
May 2, 2021
Απίστευτα βαρετό, κρίμα στις όποιες θετικές κριτικές. Άλλης εποχής, που όμως έμεινε εκεί, στις γλυκερές, ανούσιες αρχαιολαγνείες
Διαβάζοντας περίπου το 1/4, θεωρώ το προσπάθησα πολύ, έκανα αλλεπάλληλα updates μαζοχισμού, οπότε το δικαιούμαι κ κόβω παρτίδες κ μην ξανακούσω για Μίκα Βαλτάρι,
Από το ένα αστέρι αν μπορούσα θα έκοβα τις τέσσερις ακτίνες
Διαβάζοντας περίπου το 1/4, θεωρώ το προσπάθησα πολύ, έκανα αλλεπάλληλα updates μαζοχισμού, οπότε το δικαιούμαι κ κόβω παρτίδες κ μην ξανακούσω για Μίκα Βαλτάρι,
Από το ένα αστέρι αν μπορούσα θα έκοβα τις τέσσερις ακτίνες
August 31, 2017
It's amazing how Mika Waltari can immerse you in the ancient world, the story is just amazing and it will make you want to cry, run, hit someone. It's THAT good.
December 12, 2016
این کتاب را با شرایط خاص و وسواس فکری خاص که فقط در یک محل خاص می خواندمش و اصلا خانه نمی آوردمش خواندم.و آن محل خاص هم سه روز در هفته در دسترسم بود.و با وجود این شرایط بهم ثابت شد که اگر آدم منظم بخواند-این منظم خواندن می تواند یک روز خواندن در هفته باشد یا هرروز،فقط این که حتما انجام شود-طولانی ترین کتابها هم تمام می شوند!
درحالت عادی خواندن کتابی نزدیک پانصدصفحه از نوع رمان تاریخی و با شرح طولانی جنگها را شاید یک سال کش می دادم و آخر هم تمامش نمی کردم. ولی با این شیوه بالاخره خوانده شد.
و اما کتاب:
خب،رمان تاریخی است.من آنقدر رمان تاریخی نخواندم که بدانم این جزو خوب هاست یا بدها،ولی می دانم نسبت به کتاب قبلی که از میکا والتاری نویسنده ی کتاب خوانده بودم(یک رمان تاریخی دیگر درباره ی مسیح به نام مردی بالای صلیب)ضعیفتر بود و کشش خیلی کمتری داشت.
کتاب پر از اطلاعات جغرافیایی،شرح کامل و مفصل جنگ های دریایی و خدایان و الهگان یونانی و اتروسکان است.شخصیت اصلی،ترمس،هرپنجاه صفحه یک بار محل زندگی اش را به کلی عوض می کند و با آدم های جدیدی آشنا می شود و کلا نوع جدیدی از زندگی را تجربه می کند.
کتاب پرفراز و فرودی نیست،برخلاف چیزی که من از رمان تاریخی انتظار داشتم.
ولی چیز جالبی که خیلی نظرم را جلب کرد شخصیت پردازی هایش بود.در این کتاب شما با خدایان یونانی مواجه می شوید،با زنان اغواگر مواجه می شوید،ولی با یک تیپ هرگز!همه ی شخصیت ها شناسنامه ی خودشان را دارند و دائما در حال انجام کارهای پیش بینی نشده هستند.شخصیت پردازی دقیق و عالی جزو بزرگ ترین مزیت هایش بود.
چیزی که خیلی باعث تعجبم شد،نگاه بی نهایت جنسیتی همه شخصیت ها به زن بود.و عجیب تر این که خود زنها هم مدام این دید را تقویت می کردند ومدام با استفاده از جذابیت های زنانه شان سعی در اغوای مردان و ایجاد دردسر داشتند.اما جالب است که با همین وضع هم،باز هیچکدام از زن های داستان تیپ نیستند و با وجود داشتن ویژگی های مشابه اما هرکدام شخصیت های متفاوتی دارند.مخصوصا آرسینو شخصیت بسیارجالب و چندبعدی ای دارد که می تواند الگوی مناسبی برای پرداخت شخصیت متفاوت باشد.
به هرروی،کتاب متوسطی بود.نه بد بود،نه خوب.می توانست خلاصه تر باشد.
درحالت عادی خواندن کتابی نزدیک پانصدصفحه از نوع رمان تاریخی و با شرح طولانی جنگها را شاید یک سال کش می دادم و آخر هم تمامش نمی کردم. ولی با این شیوه بالاخره خوانده شد.
و اما کتاب:
خب،رمان تاریخی است.من آنقدر رمان تاریخی نخواندم که بدانم این جزو خوب هاست یا بدها،ولی می دانم نسبت به کتاب قبلی که از میکا والتاری نویسنده ی کتاب خوانده بودم(یک رمان تاریخی دیگر درباره ی مسیح به نام مردی بالای صلیب)ضعیفتر بود و کشش خیلی کمتری داشت.
کتاب پر از اطلاعات جغرافیایی،شرح کامل و مفصل جنگ های دریایی و خدایان و الهگان یونانی و اتروسکان است.شخصیت اصلی،ترمس،هرپنجاه صفحه یک بار محل زندگی اش را به کلی عوض می کند و با آدم های جدیدی آشنا می شود و کلا نوع جدیدی از زندگی را تجربه می کند.
کتاب پرفراز و فرودی نیست،برخلاف چیزی که من از رمان تاریخی انتظار داشتم.
ولی چیز جالبی که خیلی نظرم را جلب کرد شخصیت پردازی هایش بود.در این کتاب شما با خدایان یونانی مواجه می شوید،با زنان اغواگر مواجه می شوید،ولی با یک تیپ هرگز!همه ی شخصیت ها شناسنامه ی خودشان را دارند و دائما در حال انجام کارهای پیش بینی نشده هستند.شخصیت پردازی دقیق و عالی جزو بزرگ ترین مزیت هایش بود.
چیزی که خیلی باعث تعجبم شد،نگاه بی نهایت جنسیتی همه شخصیت ها به زن بود.و عجیب تر این که خود زنها هم مدام این دید را تقویت می کردند ومدام با استفاده از جذابیت های زنانه شان سعی در اغوای مردان و ایجاد دردسر داشتند.اما جالب است که با همین وضع هم،باز هیچکدام از زن های داستان تیپ نیستند و با وجود داشتن ویژگی های مشابه اما هرکدام شخصیت های متفاوتی دارند.مخصوصا آرسینو شخصیت بسیارجالب و چندبعدی ای دارد که می تواند الگوی مناسبی برای پرداخت شخصیت متفاوت باشد.
به هرروی،کتاب متوسطی بود.نه بد بود،نه خوب.می توانست خلاصه تر باشد.
June 4, 2019
Wonderful, spiritual, thoughful autobiography of a man of the world, circa 490 BCE. The Etruscan people reminds me of several Native American peoples during their decline and assimilation by a ruder, more prolific culture. It's so magical knowing about what went on before...
February 15, 2020
This book is mesmerizing! I enjoyed it more the second time. It works on many levels, an adventure, a history lesson of the Mediterranean and a view of how the divine worked in Etruscan culture in 500BC.
Enjoy all of Mika Waltari historical novels!
Enjoy all of Mika Waltari historical novels!
July 28, 2011
I'm not really sure what to think about this book. Don't get me wrong, I liked it but still it is no Sinuhe, which I absolutely love. Maybe it's fault of the translation I read it in, pretty old and with some errors. It just didn't captivate me as the Egyptian. Maybe some day I'll read it in English translation just to compare...
January 6, 2019
Jeigu patinka Waltari istoriniai romanai, turėtų patikti ir šitas. Kaip visada - plati istorinė perspektyva, ilgos kelionės, seniai į užmarštį nugrimzdusios tautos ir jų papročiai, įvykiai, žinomi ir iš istorijos vadovėlių, žmogiškosios tragedijos ir komedijos. Nors ši knyga įsibėgėja gana sunkiai, bet atsilaikius pirmus 100 puslapių, pasigauna ir nebepaleidžia. Tiesa, pažvalgius istorinius šaltinius paaiškėja, kad etruskai nebuvo jau tokia unikali civilizacija, kaip tik greičiau antrinė, stipriai paveikta heleniškosios, bet ko dėl įdomaus pasakojimo nepadarysi. Ir dar - įdomu pastebėti, kad Waltari knygose moterų paveikslai paprastai yra dviejų tipų: manipuliatorė, aistringa femme fatale, kuriai negali veikėjas atsispirti, kitaip tariant - gražuolė sterva, arba pasiaukojanti nelaimėlė.
October 12, 2025
Στη Φινλανδική όπως και στη Σουηδική έκδοση είναι "Τουρμς ο Αθάνατος". Στην Ελληνική όπως και στις περισσότερες άλλες είναι "Ο Ετρούσκος". Ίσως είναι πιο πιασάρικο; Πάντως στη χώρα των Ετρούσκων ο ήρωάς μας βρίσκεται μετά από τη σελίδα 500 και μετά από πολλές περιπέτειες και μάχες. Κακό; Όχι κατ' ανάγκη. Έχει ενδιαφέρον αρκεί να μην περιμένει κανείς ένα αμιγώς ιστορικό μυθιστόρημα για τους Ετρούσκους. Βάζει μέσα και πολλά μεταφυσικά και υπερφυσικά στοιχεία. Όταν προς το τέλος ο πρωταγωνιστής θεραπεύει έναν τυφλό και έναν παράλυτο (όπως ο Χριστός ντε), ε, εκεί παρέδωσα. Κατά τ'άλλα το βρήκα αρκετά (έως πολύ) φλύαρο. Είναι βέβαια και η εποχή που γράφτηκε, τα περισσότερα βιβλία τότε ήταν πολυσέλιδα.
Στα συν του βιβλ��ου η εξαιρετική μετάφραση.
Στα συν του βιβλ��ου η εξαιρετική μετάφραση.
November 8, 2022
This is a good, old-fashioned rollicking picaresque of the ancient world, but also considerably ahead of its time (1956).
The character is actually a kind of divinity, without realizing it and sometimes surprises himself with things he never imagined he could do. Exactly what kind and when he will realize it becomes a kind of cat-and-mouse game that entertains the reader, as well as feeling quite a modern idea.
This Finnish author, who also wrote The Egyptian, which became a major motion picture starring Victor Mature, appears to have done his homework in ancient studies and chose probably the best of all times in which to set his story because the Persians, Greeks, Carthage, Etruscans and Romans were all quite active during the 5th century BCE and the character encounters them all.
The book is often comedic as well as dramatic and adventurous. A lot comes out of the character's relationship with his wife, a rather extreme character. It also uses a phrase that sounds very modern, but surprisingly must be considerably older: "moment of clarity".
He also includes easter eggs, for example, in the mysterious name of one of the characters, which turns out to mean "to vomit" in Arabic. As the character is an endless talker and liar, it's funny for the reader who can figure it out. Today it's easy to use the Internet to do so, but back when the book came out it must have been nearly impossible as he does not even state the language that the name comes from.
In general I was strongly reminded of the ancient setting works of L. Sprague de Camp (An Elephant for Aristotle), Gore Vidal (Creation) and Tom Holt (Goat Song, The Walled Orchard).
I did notice an error. After the protagonist returns from his first trip to Etruria, there is a character present who died chapters earlier. I suppose this is an artifact of a late change in the manuscript.
The end of this book is something special. Because we have followed this man's entire life story and because of what happens and the way the author words it, it is exactly like that moment when one awakens from a dream, being half still in the dream and half returning to normal existence and yet feeling a sudden awareness of things beyond normal knowledge, as the author says, a moment of clarity. I don't think this could be achieved by reading again the last page, but only by consuming the entire book once again. It's certainly a very special feeling.
My history with this book: Around twenty years ago I visited Ashland, Oregon to see plays. During the day I wandered through some used bookstores. I bought this one for a friend. A short time later, she returned it to me and it has sat unread on a shelf all this time. What a shame that I had no idea such an interesting story all this time lay within.
The character is actually a kind of divinity, without realizing it and sometimes surprises himself with things he never imagined he could do. Exactly what kind and when he will realize it becomes a kind of cat-and-mouse game that entertains the reader, as well as feeling quite a modern idea.
This Finnish author, who also wrote The Egyptian, which became a major motion picture starring Victor Mature, appears to have done his homework in ancient studies and chose probably the best of all times in which to set his story because the Persians, Greeks, Carthage, Etruscans and Romans were all quite active during the 5th century BCE and the character encounters them all.
The book is often comedic as well as dramatic and adventurous. A lot comes out of the character's relationship with his wife, a rather extreme character. It also uses a phrase that sounds very modern, but surprisingly must be considerably older: "moment of clarity".
He also includes easter eggs, for example, in the mysterious name of one of the characters, which turns out to mean "to vomit" in Arabic. As the character is an endless talker and liar, it's funny for the reader who can figure it out. Today it's easy to use the Internet to do so, but back when the book came out it must have been nearly impossible as he does not even state the language that the name comes from.
In general I was strongly reminded of the ancient setting works of L. Sprague de Camp (An Elephant for Aristotle), Gore Vidal (Creation) and Tom Holt (Goat Song, The Walled Orchard).
I did notice an error. After the protagonist returns from his first trip to Etruria, there is a character present who died chapters earlier. I suppose this is an artifact of a late change in the manuscript.
The end of this book is something special. Because we have followed this man's entire life story and because of what happens and the way the author words it, it is exactly like that moment when one awakens from a dream, being half still in the dream and half returning to normal existence and yet feeling a sudden awareness of things beyond normal knowledge, as the author says, a moment of clarity. I don't think this could be achieved by reading again the last page, but only by consuming the entire book once again. It's certainly a very special feeling.
My history with this book: Around twenty years ago I visited Ashland, Oregon to see plays. During the day I wandered through some used bookstores. I bought this one for a friend. A short time later, she returned it to me and it has sat unread on a shelf all this time. What a shame that I had no idea such an interesting story all this time lay within.
October 31, 2022
Didn't grab me as much as The Egyptian as it seemed the author was stuck on a similar method - an educated man looks back at his life, the various women who he loved and caused him problems, his travels around the "known" world and his various schemes to stay alive all wrapped up in a naive at times character. Still looking at the world in the 400-500BC was not something many authors have done and for this the book remains recommended to read.
December 2, 2015
Luin kirjan puoleen väliin joskus teininä, sitten muut asiat veivät mielenkiinnon. Kirjan alku jäi kuitenkin vaivaamaan minua vuosiksi. Muistin suurin piirtein mitä alussa tapahtui, mutta sitäkin vahvemmin muistan harmonisen kielen ja eksoottiset mielikuvat joita se minussa oli herättänyt. Palasin kirjaan uudelleen muutettuani Barcelonaan, eikä ote tällä kertaa herpaantunut.
Waltari kuljettaa lukijan läpi mahtavien ja eksoottisten maisemien. Kieli on soljuvaa ja maanläheistä siitä huolimatta että kertomus liikkuu koko ajan maallisen, kuviteltun ja jumalallisen rajapinnoilla.
Henkilöhahmot ovat tietyllä tavalla karikatyyrejä joita määrittää vahvasti heidän kunkin tärkein ominaisuus (esimerkiksi Turmsin elämänrakkaus Arsinoe on naisellisuuden pinnallisuuden maallistuma). Tästä huolimatta he aina silloin tällöin yllättävät murtamalla muottinsa, mikä pitää kertomuksessa yllä tietynlaisen jännityksen.
Tämä oli yksi kirjoista jotka ovat muuttaneet ajatustapaani ja tehneet pysyvän vaikutuksen. Rakastan myös Sinuhea, mutta kyseessä on kaksi erilaista tarinaa.
Waltari kuljettaa lukijan läpi mahtavien ja eksoottisten maisemien. Kieli on soljuvaa ja maanläheistä siitä huolimatta että kertomus liikkuu koko ajan maallisen, kuviteltun ja jumalallisen rajapinnoilla.
Henkilöhahmot ovat tietyllä tavalla karikatyyrejä joita määrittää vahvasti heidän kunkin tärkein ominaisuus (esimerkiksi Turmsin elämänrakkaus Arsinoe on naisellisuuden pinnallisuuden maallistuma). Tästä huolimatta he aina silloin tällöin yllättävät murtamalla muottinsa, mikä pitää kertomuksessa yllä tietynlaisen jännityksen.
Tämä oli yksi kirjoista jotka ovat muuttaneet ajatustapaani ja tehneet pysyvän vaikutuksen. Rakastan myös Sinuhea, mutta kyseessä on kaksi erilaista tarinaa.
February 9, 2015
Lasīju, nekā nesapratu, turpināju lasīt, un atkal nekā nesapratu, pabeidzu lasīt - un joprojām nekā nesapratu :) Tomēr grāmatas pasaule ir valdzinoša un stāstījums - aizraujošs. Cilvēces vēsture, tik sena un tomēr tik tuva... Ik cilvēks dzīvo savās ilgās, meklējumos un sapņos, vai tagadējos laikos, vai pirms divtūkstoš gadiem - tomēr nekas pasaulē nemainās. Klīst tikai viņš - Turms, nemirstīgais.
September 20, 2012
Even though I like Waltari's style of writing and I don't want to compere with the Egyptian, I was missing something in this book. The story and main characters are wonderful, but probably I am just simply disappointed with Turms lack of care towards his personal life in the end. However, it is wonderful reading and I definitely recommend it :)
July 18, 2013
It would great book for me if I haven't read Egyptian first....
November 22, 2014
Definitely not as good as the Egyptian Sinouhé. I remember being sometimes bored. The story is interesting, but I always compare with his little brother & get frustrated.
November 21, 2022
Mika Waltarin romaani Turms kuolematon kuuluu kirjailijan historiallisten romaanien sarjaan, ja nimensä mukaisesti nimihenkilö osoittautuu kuolemattomaksi, jonka suosiosta jumalatkin kilpailevat. Teos sijoittuu Välimeren alueelle nykyisestä Kreikasta Italiaan ja Sisiliaankin ja persialaissotien ajanjaksolle vuosiin 520–450 eaa.
Kirjassa on useita samanlaisia piirteitä kuin aiemmin kirjoitetussa Sinuhe egyptiläisessä, sillä tässäkin päähenkilö tutkailee mennyttä elämäänsä, kun suurimmat seikkailut ovat jo ohi. Juoni junnaa pitkiä aikoja paikoillaan, ja tässäkin Turmsilla on samantapaista seuraa kuin Sinuhella, esim. muuan sotapäällikkö Fokiasta eli Dionysios ja kreikkalainen lääkäri Mikos. Nainen eli Turmsin mielitetty on nimeltään Arsinoe, joka on kovin Neferneferneferin oloinen. Hän on kaunis ja katala juonittelija, joka saa miehen kuin miehen lumotuksi viehätysvoimallaan.
Romaani on ikään kuin allegorinen matka Turmsiin itseensä, ja erinäisten seikkailujen, taistelujen ja monenlaisten vastoinkäymisten jälkeen hän pyrkii kohti parempaa itsensä tuntemista. Toisaalta teos tarjoaa antiikin tarinoiden ystäville monitahoisen lukukokemuksen, jossa on muitakin teemoja ystävyyden merkityksestä alkaen. Vaikka Turmsin ihmisruumis onkin jo menossa manan maille, hänen sielunsa on tulossa maan päälle uudessa kehossa. Onpa kirjassa vielä tarinaa kuolemanjälkeisistä tapahtumista ja reitistä, joka pitää matkata ennen uutta tulemista.
Kirjassa on useita samanlaisia piirteitä kuin aiemmin kirjoitetussa Sinuhe egyptiläisessä, sillä tässäkin päähenkilö tutkailee mennyttä elämäänsä, kun suurimmat seikkailut ovat jo ohi. Juoni junnaa pitkiä aikoja paikoillaan, ja tässäkin Turmsilla on samantapaista seuraa kuin Sinuhella, esim. muuan sotapäällikkö Fokiasta eli Dionysios ja kreikkalainen lääkäri Mikos. Nainen eli Turmsin mielitetty on nimeltään Arsinoe, joka on kovin Neferneferneferin oloinen. Hän on kaunis ja katala juonittelija, joka saa miehen kuin miehen lumotuksi viehätysvoimallaan.
Romaani on ikään kuin allegorinen matka Turmsiin itseensä, ja erinäisten seikkailujen, taistelujen ja monenlaisten vastoinkäymisten jälkeen hän pyrkii kohti parempaa itsensä tuntemista. Toisaalta teos tarjoaa antiikin tarinoiden ystäville monitahoisen lukukokemuksen, jossa on muitakin teemoja ystävyyden merkityksestä alkaen. Vaikka Turmsin ihmisruumis onkin jo menossa manan maille, hänen sielunsa on tulossa maan päälle uudessa kehossa. Onpa kirjassa vielä tarinaa kuolemanjälkeisistä tapahtumista ja reitistä, joka pitää matkata ennen uutta tulemista.
December 24, 2018
Siendo más exacto le pondría un 3.5.
Es un libro denso, largo, en especial si no dominas mucho de mitología.
También es verdad que una vez superadas las primeras y largas dificultades fue haciéndose más ameno, y en la parte final el autor da más pistas, creo que logré entender el fondo de la historia.
Es un libro denso, largo, en especial si no dominas mucho de mitología.
También es verdad que una vez superadas las primeras y largas dificultades fue haciéndose más ameno, y en la parte final el autor da más pistas, creo que logré entender el fondo de la historia.
August 16, 2020
Minu esimeseks loetud teoseks Waltarilt on “Sinuhe” ja no see seab lati meeletult kõrgeks. “Turms” minu jaoks selleni ei küüni, aga ilma võrdluseta on see siiski väga huvitav ja taaskord ajalooline lugu. Raamatu algus tundus veidi uimane või ma lihtsalt ei saanud aru, aga mida edasi, seda paremaks läks.
Huvitavad tegelased ja nagu välja tuleb, siis inimene enne Kristuse sündi oli olemuselt ikka selline nagu ta on ka praegu. Ainult ümbrus, tavad, tabud jne on muutunud 😊
Huvitavad tegelased ja nagu välja tuleb, siis inimene enne Kristuse sündi oli olemuselt ikka selline nagu ta on ka praegu. Ainult ümbrus, tavad, tabud jne on muutunud 😊
June 15, 2020
I always enjoy good quality historical fiction. So this one goes along the same lines.
I did not appreciated very much the parts in which the protagonist is involved in supra-natural experiences, but this was very much daily life in that period.
I did not appreciated very much the parts in which the protagonist is involved in supra-natural experiences, but this was very much daily life in that period.
August 4, 2021
Ajoittain vaikea pysyä mukana juonessa. Kirja tosin parani merkittävästi loppua kohden. Päähenkilön kehittyessä kirjakin paranee.
October 17, 2018
Παρότι το βιβλίο λέγεται ο Ετρούσκος, τα γεγονότα του δεν διαδραματίζονται μόνο στην Ετρουρία (κεντρική Ιταλία) αλλά σε όλο το φάσμα του αρχαίου Ελληνικού κόσμου στις αρχές του 5ου αιώνα μ.Χ. Από τις ακτές της Μικράς Ασίας κατά την διάρκεια της Ιωνικής επανάστασης, στην Σικελία του ατέρμονου πολέμου μεταξύ Ελλήνων, Καρχηδονίων, Ετρούσκων, και αυτοχθόνων, και έπειτα στην νεαρά ακόμη Ρώμη, ο Τουρς, ο πρωταγωνιστής της ιστορίας, ζει πραγματικά τα πάντα: έρωτες και προδοσίες, φιλίες και έχθρες, χαρές και απώλειες, μάχες και ανέμελες στιγμές.
(Το άρθρο στο ιστολόγιό μου, Κοιλάδα της Γνώσης: http://www.koiladatisgnosis.gr/logote...)
Ο Μίκα Βάλταρι, ο πιο πολυμεταφρασμένος φινλανδός συγγραφέας, συνέγραψε αυτό το διαμάντι το μακρινό 1955, αλλά η απολαυστική ιστορία των 696 χορταστικών σελίδων ρέει τόσο κελαρυστά που εύκολα κάποιος θα το χρονολουγούσε σε μεταγενέστερη εποχή.
Ο αριθμός των χαρακτήρων είναι σχετικά μικρός, κι έτσι το χρονικό και γεωγραφικό βάθος της ιστορίας δεν προκαλεί δυσκολία στην ανάγνωση. Η αφήγηση της ζωής του Τουρς σε πρώτο πρόσωπο και η αληθοφανής απεικόνιση της Μεσογείου των Περσικών Πολέμων ε��ναι οι δύο ισχυρότεροι λόγοι για να διαβάσει κανείς το βιβλίο. Σίγουρα αποτελεί μία από τις καλύτερες ιστορίες που συνάντησα το 2017, και ευελπιστώ να μπορέσω κάποια στιγμή να το ξαναδιαβάσω.
Ο Ετρούσκος είναι διαθέσιμος εις την ελληνική από τις εκδόσεις Καλέντη, και μάλιστα σε πρόσφατη μετάφραση της Μαρίας Μουρτζούκου, απευθείας από τα φινλανδικά. Άλλα αξιόλογα βιβλία του συγγραφέα, επίσης διαθέσιμα στα ελληνικά, είναι ο Ιωάννης Άγγελος και Σινουχέ ο Αιγύπτιος. Αλλά για αυτά θα τα πούμε κάποια άλλη στιγμή…
Σύνοψη:
«Είχα βρει καταφύγιο στην Έφεσο, με είχε μεγαλώσει ο Ηράκλειτος και είχα πολεμήσει τρία χρόνια στην Ιωνία. Είχα ακολουθήσει τον Δωριέα, είχα χύσει αίμα και είχα πληγωθεί για τους Έλληνες… Οι πόλεις τους πολεμούσαν η μια την άλλη. Μισο��σαν τους άριστους και τους εξόριζαν. Μόνο η τυραννία τους κρατούσε πειθαρχημένους στις μεγάλες πόλεις της Δύσης… Ρωμαίος δεν ήμουν και την ελληνικότητά μου την είχα χάσει. Ήμουν ξένος πάνω στη γη και δεν γνώριζα καν την καταγωγή μου». Πήρε μέρος στην επανάσταση της Ιωνίας, ζήτησε χρησμό από το μαντείο των Δελφών, πολέμησε στη ναυμαχία της Λάδης στο πλευρό των Φωκαέων, περιπλανήθηκε σαν πειρατής στη Μεσόγειο, έζησε στην Ιμέρα του τυράννου Κρίνιππου και στα σικανικά δάση, βρέθηκε στη Ρώμη, πολέμησε τους Έλληνες στο πλευρό των Καρχηδονίων του Αμίλκα, αγάπησε, προδόθηκε, πόνεσε και τελικά βρήκε τη λύτρωση. Ακολουθώντας τον Τουρμς που αναζητεί την ταυτότητά του, περιδιαβαίνουμε μαζί του ολόκληρη τη Μεσόγειο της εποχής των Περσικών Πολέμων. Το μυθιστόρημα «Ο Ετρούσκος» παρουσιάζεται στο ελληνικό αναγνωστικό κοινό για πρώτη φορά χωρίς περικοπές, μεταφρασμένο απευθείας από τη φινλανδική γλώσσα. Το 2011 το Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού της Φινλανδίας απένειμε το Κρατικό Βραβείο Μετάφρασης στη Μαρία Μαρτζούκου, η οποία έχει μεταφράσει στα ελληνικά αρκετά φινλανδικά έργα, μεταξύ των οποίων τα πέντε μυθιστορήματα του συγγραφέα Mika Waltari, που κυκλοφορούν από τις εκδόσεις Καλέντη.
Για να διαβάζετε πρώτοι τα νέα άρθρα τής Κοιλάδας τής Γνώσης, πατήστε Like και Follow εδώ: www.facebook.com/koiladatisgnosis
Επίσης, αν σας αρέσουν τα ιστορικά μυθιστορήματα, ελάτε στην ομάδα μας: www.facebook.com/groups/811874992334564
(Το άρθρο στο ιστολόγιό μου, Κοιλάδα της Γνώσης: http://www.koiladatisgnosis.gr/logote...)
Ο Μίκα Βάλταρι, ο πιο πολυμεταφρασμένος φινλανδός συγγραφέας, συνέγραψε αυτό το διαμάντι το μακρινό 1955, αλλά η απολαυστική ιστορία των 696 χορταστικών σελίδων ρέει τόσο κελαρυστά που εύκολα κάποιος θα το χρονολουγούσε σε μεταγενέστερη εποχή.
Ο αριθμός των χαρακτήρων είναι σχετικά μικρός, κι έτσι το χρονικό και γεωγραφικό βάθος της ιστορίας δεν προκαλεί δυσκολία στην ανάγνωση. Η αφήγηση της ζωής του Τουρς σε πρώτο πρόσωπο και η αληθοφανής απεικόνιση της Μεσογείου των Περσικών Πολέμων ε��ναι οι δύο ισχυρότεροι λόγοι για να διαβάσει κανείς το βιβλίο. Σίγουρα αποτελεί μία από τις καλύτερες ιστορίες που συνάντησα το 2017, και ευελπιστώ να μπορέσω κάποια στιγμή να το ξαναδιαβάσω.
Ο Ετρούσκος είναι διαθέσιμος εις την ελληνική από τις εκδόσεις Καλέντη, και μάλιστα σε πρόσφατη μετάφραση της Μαρίας Μουρτζούκου, απευθείας από τα φινλανδικά. Άλλα αξιόλογα βιβλία του συγγραφέα, επίσης διαθέσιμα στα ελληνικά, είναι ο Ιωάννης Άγγελος και Σινουχέ ο Αιγύπτιος. Αλλά για αυτά θα τα πούμε κάποια άλλη στιγμή…
Σύνοψη:
«Είχα βρει καταφύγιο στην Έφεσο, με είχε μεγαλώσει ο Ηράκλειτος και είχα πολεμήσει τρία χρόνια στην Ιωνία. Είχα ακολουθήσει τον Δωριέα, είχα χύσει αίμα και είχα πληγωθεί για τους Έλληνες… Οι πόλεις τους πολεμούσαν η μια την άλλη. Μισο��σαν τους άριστους και τους εξόριζαν. Μόνο η τυραννία τους κρατούσε πειθαρχημένους στις μεγάλες πόλεις της Δύσης… Ρωμαίος δεν ήμουν και την ελληνικότητά μου την είχα χάσει. Ήμουν ξένος πάνω στη γη και δεν γνώριζα καν την καταγωγή μου». Πήρε μέρος στην επανάσταση της Ιωνίας, ζήτησε χρησμό από το μαντείο των Δελφών, πολέμησε στη ναυμαχία της Λάδης στο πλευρό των Φωκαέων, περιπλανήθηκε σαν πειρατής στη Μεσόγειο, έζησε στην Ιμέρα του τυράννου Κρίνιππου και στα σικανικά δάση, βρέθηκε στη Ρώμη, πολέμησε τους Έλληνες στο πλευρό των Καρχηδονίων του Αμίλκα, αγάπησε, προδόθηκε, πόνεσε και τελικά βρήκε τη λύτρωση. Ακολουθώντας τον Τουρμς που αναζητεί την ταυτότητά του, περιδιαβαίνουμε μαζί του ολόκληρη τη Μεσόγειο της εποχής των Περσικών Πολέμων. Το μυθιστόρημα «Ο Ετρούσκος» παρουσιάζεται στο ελληνικό αναγνωστικό κοινό για πρώτη φορά χωρίς περικοπές, μεταφρασμένο απευθείας από τη φινλανδική γλώσσα. Το 2011 το Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού της Φινλανδίας απένειμε το Κρατικό Βραβείο Μετάφρασης στη Μαρία Μαρτζούκου, η οποία έχει μεταφράσει στα ελληνικά αρκετά φινλανδικά έργα, μεταξύ των οποίων τα πέντε μυθιστορήματα του συγγραφέα Mika Waltari, που κυκλοφορούν από τις εκδόσεις Καλέντη.
Για να διαβάζετε πρώτοι τα νέα άρθρα τής Κοιλάδας τής Γνώσης, πατήστε Like και Follow εδώ: www.facebook.com/koiladatisgnosis
Επίσης, αν σας αρέσουν τα ιστορικά μυθιστορήματα, ελάτε στην ομάδα μας: www.facebook.com/groups/811874992334564
November 17, 2013
My comments on this book must be prefaced by two caveats. First, I am reading a translation from the 1950s (by Evelyn Ramsden), which I suspect would benefit from being updated. Second, it seems that this translation has drastically slashed the length of the original novel, resulting in a story that alternately drags and leaps without any real internal logic. It's hard to tell how much of my assessment is based on the unsympathetic editing and how much on the original story, so I wanted to make that clear at the outset!
Set in the 5th century BC, this is the story of Turms, an exile who has come to Delphi seeking judgement in the aftermath of a religious crime. Recognised by the oracle as a man of destiny, he is acquitted and then embarks on a journey around the ancient Mediterranean, taking in battle with the Persians, piracy and - eventually - a romance with a priestess of Aphrodite, the alluring Arsinoe. As Turms follows this beguiling woman from the Greek colonies of Sicily to the nascent republic of Rome, he grows ever closer to his fate. With all this taken into account, it's quite remarkable how this translation manages to make it all so dull. Turms spends the vast majority of the book aimlessly wandering around the Mediterranean, and even when he meets the much-vaunted Arsinoe, his relationship with her is thoroughly implausible. One moment he can see right through her, as she flirts outrageously with his friends; the next minute he is plunged into a frenzy of desire for her. Arsinoe herself is merely a cardboard cut-out femme fatale. The gods are invoked to explain sudden changes of loyalty, friendships or allegiances that can't be justified by rational human behaviour, and the whole thing is an awkward mess. Judging by comments from people who've read the original, Waltari's text is actually much richer and more lyrical than is suggested in this translation. It's unfortunate that such an admired writer isn't given justice, but I really can't recommend this particular edition. If anyone should happen to find a more successful translation into English, I'd be enormously grateful for recommendations.
You can find further bafflement, and a longer review, here on my blog:
http://theidlewoman.blogspot.co.uk/20...
Set in the 5th century BC, this is the story of Turms, an exile who has come to Delphi seeking judgement in the aftermath of a religious crime. Recognised by the oracle as a man of destiny, he is acquitted and then embarks on a journey around the ancient Mediterranean, taking in battle with the Persians, piracy and - eventually - a romance with a priestess of Aphrodite, the alluring Arsinoe. As Turms follows this beguiling woman from the Greek colonies of Sicily to the nascent republic of Rome, he grows ever closer to his fate. With all this taken into account, it's quite remarkable how this translation manages to make it all so dull. Turms spends the vast majority of the book aimlessly wandering around the Mediterranean, and even when he meets the much-vaunted Arsinoe, his relationship with her is thoroughly implausible. One moment he can see right through her, as she flirts outrageously with his friends; the next minute he is plunged into a frenzy of desire for her. Arsinoe herself is merely a cardboard cut-out femme fatale. The gods are invoked to explain sudden changes of loyalty, friendships or allegiances that can't be justified by rational human behaviour, and the whole thing is an awkward mess. Judging by comments from people who've read the original, Waltari's text is actually much richer and more lyrical than is suggested in this translation. It's unfortunate that such an admired writer isn't given justice, but I really can't recommend this particular edition. If anyone should happen to find a more successful translation into English, I'd be enormously grateful for recommendations.
You can find further bafflement, and a longer review, here on my blog:
http://theidlewoman.blogspot.co.uk/20...
November 21, 2011
Another very good book, written in 1956, from Mika Waltari. Although the period of history, roughly the 5th century BCE, is not as significant as the history covered in The Egyptian or The Roman, the book does cover the period of the Persian invasions of Greece, the conflict between the Etruscans and the Romans, and the early rivalry between Carthage and Rome. I like the lead character, a man who does not know his origins and wanders from Ephesus and the other Greek cities to Sicily, and finally to Rome and the twelve cities of the Etruscans. His abduction of one of the servants of the temple of Aphrodite at Eryx provides many amorous adventures. She bears three children, none of whom is fathered by our hero.
I also enjoyed the many religious and magical scenes, which are treated, first, with skepticism but later with sincerity and belief. I could only wish that the author had told us more about the Etruscan culture, which was virtually obliterated by the rise of Rome.
If I can obtain copies of Waltari's other books, by inter-library loan, I plan to read The Adventurer and The Wanderer. The author is a little-known treasure.
I also enjoyed the many religious and magical scenes, which are treated, first, with skepticism but later with sincerity and belief. I could only wish that the author had told us more about the Etruscan culture, which was virtually obliterated by the rise of Rome.
If I can obtain copies of Waltari's other books, by inter-library loan, I plan to read The Adventurer and The Wanderer. The author is a little-known treasure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2017
È stata una lettura fatta di gioie e dolori. Il volume è lungo, considerando poi che è scritto in un carattere minuscolo e la traduzione (di questa edizione) antiquata, la sofferenza del mio apparato visivo e del mio cervello era palpabile.
Queste però sono questioni non imputabili a Waltari, e devo dire che ho sempre avuto l'impressione di leggere l'opera di una persona che sapeva il fatto suo, che si era documentata e aveva un grande interesse per il tema. Eppure, era molto evidente che la storia era filtrata attraverso un'ottica cristiana protestante.
Il protagonista è un uomo eccezionale, non perché sia più intelligente, forte, volenteroso degli altri, ma perché è stato scelto dagli dei. C'è un senso di rassegnazione, e frasi come "è inutile opporsi, il mio cammino è stato deciso dagli dei" ricorrono ogni 5 righe.
I personaggi sono tutti negativi, in particolare le donne, che sono arriviste e, sotto sotto, tutte meretrici.
Ho una certa avversione per questi romanzi il cui destino è già scritto e si sa dall'inizio dove si va a parare.
E poi che senso ha chiamare il romanzo "Turms l'etrusco" se il fatto di essere etrusco è l'unica cosa sconosciuta al protagonista?!
Queste però sono questioni non imputabili a Waltari, e devo dire che ho sempre avuto l'impressione di leggere l'opera di una persona che sapeva il fatto suo, che si era documentata e aveva un grande interesse per il tema. Eppure, era molto evidente che la storia era filtrata attraverso un'ottica cristiana protestante.
Il protagonista è un uomo eccezionale, non perché sia più intelligente, forte, volenteroso degli altri, ma perché è stato scelto dagli dei. C'è un senso di rassegnazione, e frasi come "è inutile opporsi, il mio cammino è stato deciso dagli dei" ricorrono ogni 5 righe.
I personaggi sono tutti negativi, in particolare le donne, che sono arriviste e, sotto sotto, tutte meretrici.
Ho una certa avversione per questi romanzi il cui destino è già scritto e si sa dall'inizio dove si va a parare.
E poi che senso ha chiamare il romanzo "Turms l'etrusco" se il fatto di essere etrusco è l'unica cosa sconosciuta al protagonista?!
November 14, 2012
I am childishly in love with every Waltari book I ever read, starting from a very young age, so I doubt I can be objective.
This is one of his historical novels: the life and adventures of a man in the 500s BC who is unaware of his own background, having been raised in a Greek city in Asia Minor. The English title spoils his background, and the original title (Turms the Immortal) spoils other things, but neither lowers the enjoyment.
The book follows Turms (warrior, pirate, exile, wanderer, politician) as he struggles to learn who he is and where he came from, while dealing with a group of people (friends, lovers) that seem to be very closely connected with his entire life.
I have not actually read this book in English, but my Swedish translation of the Finnish original is abridged. Judging from a couple of Waltari book I have read in English, those versions may be even further abridged; sorry, anglophones. Waltari wrote over half a century ago, and even so used older phrasings in his historical novels, so the language might be a little tough for a modern reader.
This is one of his historical novels: the life and adventures of a man in the 500s BC who is unaware of his own background, having been raised in a Greek city in Asia Minor. The English title spoils his background, and the original title (Turms the Immortal) spoils other things, but neither lowers the enjoyment.
The book follows Turms (warrior, pirate, exile, wanderer, politician) as he struggles to learn who he is and where he came from, while dealing with a group of people (friends, lovers) that seem to be very closely connected with his entire life.
I have not actually read this book in English, but my Swedish translation of the Finnish original is abridged. Judging from a couple of Waltari book I have read in English, those versions may be even further abridged; sorry, anglophones. Waltari wrote over half a century ago, and even so used older phrasings in his historical novels, so the language might be a little tough for a modern reader.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2018
Ambientato intorno al 500 a.C., dalle coste dell'attuale Turchia alla Sicilia e quindi a Roma ed infine all'Etruria, questo è un romanzo d'avventura per la trama e le varie peripezie del protagonista (a dir la verità poco credibili), storico per l'ambientazione (a dire il vero interessante) fra le popolazioni italiche preromane e fantasy, per l'intrecciarsi continuo fra la vita materiale e quella spirituale, grazie ai continui ricorsi all'intervento degli Dei, che spesso risolvono situazioni pericolose.
Né il protagonista Turms né la sua donna Arsinoe, né altri personaggi, mi hanno particolarmente colpito, comunque è piacevole da leggere.
Né il protagonista Turms né la sua donna Arsinoe, né altri personaggi, mi hanno particolarmente colpito, comunque è piacevole da leggere.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews