Before I share with you some of the exquisite writing in I, the Sun, let me start at the end. On the last page of the book you will find an impressive bibliography list that attests to the meticulous research into the life and times of Suppiluliumas, who was a great warrior and statesman. This research provides the detail, the authentic detail necessary for constructing the shell of this story, its events and the descriptions of the locale.
It is into this shell that the author, Janet Morris, has blown a breath life, fleshing out a fascinating historical figure. His voice has an unmistaken elegance to it. Describing a mysterious presence that follows him throughout his life, Suppiluliumas says, “He has been in my dreams before every moment of crisis, for every tumble onto truth that has ever befallen me, striding away, his shoulders like a second horizon.”
We follow Suppiluliumas starting at the age of 14, just before his coming of age ceremony, until the moment he hands the kingdom over to his successor, his first born son Arnuwandas. In place of showing Suppiluliumas drawing his last breath, we witness him being summoned to the top of the hill, as his chariot starts ascending. He is on his way to meet his fate, symbolically represented by the Storm God.
It is an epic saga, with heroic action bringing the Hittite kingdom to Imperial power and consolidating its heartland. Seen through the man in the eye of the storm, we gain a brilliant power of observation. He says, “My life always had events taking place within and without at different intensities. On the outer edges, matters foment and wild winds blow; on the inner, things display themselves to meticulous examination under a clear sky.”
The writing gives a sense of a depth to the character, and so does the cover art. I simply love the way it is layered: (a) The deepest layer is adorned with images done in relief based on the hero’s adventure (a Hittite king standing in his chariot and aiming his arrow at a stag) (b) The middle layer done as the royal seal of Suppiluliumas (c) The front layer containing the title, in immensely solid, metallic letters that—quite appropriately—reflect a strong sunlight.
Before I share with you some of the exquisite writing in I, the Sun, let me start at the end. On the last page of the book you will find an impressive bibliography list that attests to the meticulous research into the life and times of Suppiluliumas, who was a great warrior and statesman. This research provides the detail, the authentic detail necessary for constructing the shell of this story, its events and the descriptions of the locale.
It is into this shell that the author, Janet Morris, has blown a breath life, fleshing out a fascinating historical figure. His voice has an unmistaken elegance to it. Describing a mysterious presence that follows him throughout his life, Suppiluliumas says, “He has been in my dreams before every moment of crisis, for every tumble onto truth that has ever befallen me, striding away, his shoulders like a second horizon.”
We follow Suppiluliumas starting at the age of 14, just before his coming of age ceremony, until the moment he hands the kingdom over to his successor, his first born son Arnuwandas. In place of showing Suppiluliumas drawing his last breath, we witness him being summoned to the top of the hill, as his chariot starts ascending. He is on his way to meet his fate, symbolically represented by the Storm God.
It is an epic saga, with heroic action bringing the Hittite kingdom to Imperial power and consolidating its heartland. Seen through the man in the eye of the storm, we gain a brilliant power of observation. He says, “My life always had events taking place within and without at different intensities. On the outer edges, matters foment and wild winds blow; on the inner, things display themselves to meticulous examination under a clear sky.”
The writing gives a sense of a depth to the character, and so does the cover art. I simply love the way it is layered:
(a) The deepest layer is adorned with images done in relief based on the hero’s adventure (a Hittite king standing in his chariot and aiming his arrow at a stag)
(b) The middle layer done as the royal seal of Suppiluliumas
(c) The front layer containing the title, in immensely solid, metallic letters that—quite appropriately—reflect a strong sunlight.
Five stars.