A Brightness Long Ago

In a chamber overlooking the nighttime waterways of a maritime city, a man looks back on his youth and the people who shaped his life. Danio Cerra's intelligence won him entry to a renowned school even though he was only the son of a tailor. He took service at the court of a ruling count - and soon learned why that man was known as the Beast.

©2019 Guy Gavriel Kay (P)2019 Recorded Books

The grandeur of simplicity

This is why audiobooks are sublime. The combination of Guy Gavriel Kay’s lyrical, layered, unfolding prose... and Vance’s masterful performance... I’m moved beyond words. I’m now compelled to go back in time to earlier works.

I Love this new addition to the mosaic

A new novel set in the world of the Sarantine Mosaic... Yay!!! Guy Gavriel Kay's inimitable prose style weaves a story in your mind like a beautiful dream. You'll never want to wake up. Simon Vance does a superb job of the narration bringing the author's words to life, adding texture and dimension to the story. If you like epic fantasy, you will love this book.

Brilliant.

Narrator is amazingly skilled at speaking with feeling and precision. The story is complex, compelling an and beautiful.

3.5 stars 🌟🌟🌟💫!

Guy Gavriel Kay’s “A Brightness Long Ago” is a historical fantasy set in the same world (this time Italian Renaissance-inspired) where some of his other books also live, only many centuries after the events in the Sarantine mosaic duology. This is also the same world as Al Rassan. The novel follows the intertwined lives of Danio Cerra, a tailor’s son who rises to prominence, and Adria Ripoli, a rebellious noblewoman. Through their eyes, Kay explores themes of memory, fate, and the impact of individual choices on the broader tapestry of history.

I found Kay repeating themes here that he seems to have lifted largely en masse from his previous books and therefore his recurring narrative felt tedious and predictable, albeit meticulously crafted. Although Kay’s reflective narrative style allows him to delve deeply into the characters’ inner lives, exploring their motivations, regrets, and the lasting impact of their actions, I felt it was somewhat rehashed from the already existing ingredients in Lions of Al Rassan and Sarantine Mosaic.

Flagrant repetition from his other works:
“A Brightness Long Ago” shares several thematic and stylistic similarities with Kay’s “Sarantine Mosaic” duology, which includes “Sailing to Sarantium” and “Lord of Emperors.” Both works are set in richly detailed, historically inspired worlds and explore the lives of individuals caught in the currents of great historical change.

1. The theme of an ordinary individual influencing the course of history. In “The Sarantine Mosaic,” the protagonist Crispin, a master mosaicist, is summoned to the grand city of Sarantium to create a masterpiece for the emperor. Like Danio, Crispin is an artist whose life is profoundly affected by the political and social upheavals of his time. Both characters navigate complex political landscapes and form relationships with powerful figures.

2. Horse Race and Chariot Race. This is probably the more egregious of repetitions. In “A Brightness Long Ago,” a dramatic horse race plays a crucial role in the story, showcasing the characters’ bravery and the high stakes of their world. Similarly, “The Sarantine Mosaic” features an intense chariot race that captivates the populace and reflects the political and social tensions of the time. These races not only add excitement to the plot but also symbolize the broader conflicts and ambitions of the characters. BTW I felt that the chariot race in Sarantine Duology and the story/characters/plot were superior to A Brightness Long Ago in all respects.

3. Powerful Men and a Female Physician- another unmistakable and dazzling duplication: A notable similarity between “A Brightness Long Ago” and “The Lions of Al-Rassan” is the presence of two powerful men who share a complex relationship of hate and respect, with a female physician caught between their machinations. In “The Lions of Al-Rassan,” Rodrigo Belmonte and Ammar ibn Khairan are formidable leaders from opposing sides who develop a grudging respect for each other, despite their enmity. Jehane bet Ishak, a skilled physician, finds herself entangled in their political and personal conflicts. In “A Brightness Long Ago,” the character Jelena, a physician, finds herself in the midst of the rivalry between Folco Cino d’Acorsi and Teobaldo Monticola di Remigio whose relationship is marked by both animosity and mutual respect. Both women are highly skilled in their medical professions and find themselves caught in the midst of political and personal conflicts. Jelena, like Jehane, is a figure of compassion and intellect, providing care and wisdom amidst the chaos. Their roles highlight the importance of healing and humanity in times of turmoil, and their interactions with the powerful men around them underscore the complexities of loyalty and moral choices.

Reprised Inspiration and Influence
Kay’s ability to weave historical inspiration into his fantasy worlds is evident in all three works. “A Brightness Long Ago” draws on the rich history of the Italian Renaissance, much like “The Sarantine Mosaic” draws on the Byzantine Empire and “The Lions of Al-Rassan” on Moorish Spain. This blending of history and fantasy to explore universal themes in an attempt to make it feel timeless and personal is all good and dandy but for someone reading his books the replication of themes, narratives being repeated as plot devices xeroxed from one book to the next felt dispiriting and dull.

Overall a great book if you have not read Al Rassan or Sarantine Mosaic.

A bright story now - diamond bright

As K always does, he wows, and surprises and creates a story that you cannot put down. In this particular book, there’s so many amazing well worded quotes, that I’m already going to go back and reread to highlight them and write them down. His last two sentences may be the best lines for a conclusion that I have read that I remember. a great story even though it is a simple one and well worth the time.