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Creation is a large, lumbering, harmless and likeable book about a guy who just happens to have been born in time to meet a lot of ancient philosophers and founders of world religions (Socrates, Confucious, Lao Tzu, and the Buddha all make an appearance). He is also the grandson of Zoroaster and the long-suffering best friend of Xerxes. It gives the overwelming impression of being a leisurely party thrown by the author (Gore Vidal) for the author, which makes it pleasant even when it drags a little. There is a lot of war and violence in retrospect, and a tremendous amount of plotting and backstabbing at multiple courts, none of which leaves much of an impression or creates any suspense whatsoever; the fun of this book comes maybe 90% from the narrator's languidly judgmental voice, with the remaining 10% from an exotic traveler's tale or two. There is plenty of philosophy, of the reefer-wispiest and least visceral kind.
Anthony Burgess thought that Creation was "a genuine recreation of the remote past," and "an incredibly detailed and convincing picture of the ancient world." This is a reasonable impression to have but it wasn't mine. I thought it was an incredibly detailed and convincing picture of a guy making elaborately researched mods to his favorite ancient-history holodeck program, which is not necessarily better or worse but slightly different.
Two of Gore Vidal's best-selling history bricks, Burr and 1876, were part of the background book-furniture of my life growing up, and I am sorry to say that I never gave them any thought at all. This book made me think I should go ahead and give Burr a try, since Aaron Burr had my most sadly relatable song in Hamilton and Creation was enjoyable enough.
Anthony Burgess thought that Creation was "a genuine recreation of the remote past," and "an incredibly detailed and convincing picture of the ancient world." This is a reasonable impression to have but it wasn't mine. I thought it was an incredibly detailed and convincing picture of a guy making elaborately researched mods to his favorite ancient-history holodeck program, which is not necessarily better or worse but slightly different.
Two of Gore Vidal's best-selling history bricks, Burr and 1876, were part of the background book-furniture of my life growing up, and I am sorry to say that I never gave them any thought at all. This book made me think I should go ahead and give Burr a try, since Aaron Burr had my most sadly relatable song in Hamilton and Creation was enjoyable enough.
