River of Ink

De: Paul M.M. Cooper

Narrado por: Maanuv Thiara

All Asanka knows is poetry. From his humble village beginnings in the great island kingdom of Lanka, he has risen to the prestigious position of court poet and now delights in his life of ease: composing romantic verses for love-struck courtiers, enjoying the confidence of his king, and covertly teaching Sarasi, a beautiful and beguiling palace maid, the secrets of his art.

But when Kalinga Magha, a ruthless prince with a formidable army, arrives upon Lanka's shores, Asanka's world is changed beyond imagining. Violent, hubristic, and unpredictable, Magha usurps the throne, laying waste to all who stand in his way. Under his terrifying rule, nothing in the city is left untouched and, like many of his fellow citizens, Asanka retreats into the shadows, hoping to pass unnoticed by the tyrant. But it seems his new master is a lover of poetry....

To Asanka's horror, Magha tasks him with the translation of an epic Sanskrit poem, a tale of Gods and nobles, love and revenge, which the king believes will have a civilizing effect on his subjects, soothing their discontent and snuffing out the fires of rebellion he suspects are igniting across the island.

Asanka has always believed that poetry makes nothing happen, but as each new chapter he writes is disseminated through the land and lines on the page become cries in the street, his belief and his loyalties are challenged. And, as Magha circles ever closer to the things Asanka treasures most, the poet will discover that true power lies not at the point of a sword, but in the tip of a pen.

©2016 Paul M. M. Cooper (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

OUTSTANDING

This is a book not to be ignored.
I have read/listen to Mr. Cooper’s book “ The fall of civilizations”, which is amazing, including his “YouTube” of the same subject.
This book is of a whole different genre and totally enjoyable.
The narrator, Mr. Maanuv Thiara, does an excellent job.
My thanks to all involved, JK.

Powerful and mesmerizing

Paul M.M. Cooper has written a beautiful story, so evocative and mesmerizing it seems it must be an old fable passed down through generations. The reader could not have been better chosen. He makes one glad of the power of speech. The writer demonstrates the power of the written word, which can be both universal and unique. I’ll be thinking of The River of Ink for a long time. And, I’ll be looking for others who carry it in their blood.

Stunning

Atmospheric, poetic, well written, well narrated and well plotted. Just press purchase and thank me later.

Not my normal thing…

Not my normal thing but I was watching some of the authors comprehensive videos on his Fall of Civilizations YouTube channel (they’re fantastic by the way) so it got me investigating who is behind them. As it turns out he also pens absolutely beautiful books that paint rich and exotic worlds from a time long ago. I took a chance and really ended up enjoying this book, you might too.

A heroic epic without heroes - sort of.

This is a wonderful piece of painstakingly researched and luciously vivid historical fiction. If you are a fan of Mr. Cooper’s nonfiction work, you will love this story. If you like historical fiction set outside the Western world, you will probably dig it, too. Additionally, the reader’s performance is phenomenal.