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Creation
 
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Creation (Mass Market Paperback)

by Gore Vidal (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)

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2 new from CDN$ 38.67 7 used from CDN$ 3.01

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Product Description

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In 445 B.C., Cyrus Spitama, the grandson of the prophet Zoroaster, is the Persian ambassador to the city of Athens. He has a rather caustic appreciation of his situation: "I am blind. But I am not deaf. Because of the incompleteness of my misfortune, I was obliged yesterday to listen for nearly six hours to a self-styled historian whose account of what the Athenians like to call 'the Persian Wars' was nonsense of a sort that were I less old and more privileged, I would have risen to my seat at the Odeon and scandalized all Athens by answering him." Having thus dismissed Herodotus, Cyrus then dictates his life story to his nephew, Democritus, with similar disdain for the Greeks--whom we in the modern world have come to view as the progenitors of civilization, but whom Cyrus considers to be bad-smelling rabble.

Of course, Cyrus Spitama speaks with a very modern, ironic voice supplied to him by Gore Vidal--and the political intrigues in which Cyrus finds himself immersed are likewise familiar territory for fans of Vidal's historical fiction. But the narrator's delightfully wicked observations are the icing on a narrative of truly epic scope--out of his desire to understand the origins of the world, Cyrus undertakes journeys to India, where he encounters disciples of the Buddha, and China, where he engages Confucius in philosophical conversation while the great sage fishes by the riverside. Creation offers insights into classical history laced with scintillating wit and narrative brio.



From Library Journal

Something old, something new: Vidal's classic, narrated by the grandson of the prophet Zoroaster, is being republished in an expanded edition that includes material from the original manuscript that never made its way into print.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews

19 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars what an idea!, April 5 2001
By Robert J. Crawford (Balmette Talloires, France) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Having read it many years ago, I bought this book as a gift fora friend in the hospital... Just for fun, I opened it up to peruse it a bit. And then I became totally engrossed and read it again cover to cover. THat is the test of a great book: you can read it again and again and see more each time.

Of all of Vidal's novels, this one has the most ideas: the main character (a Persian ambassador to Athens who despises what he hears Herodotus reading) recounts his meetings with the creators of the several great cosmological systems, that is, monotheism, hinduism, and confucianism, all of whom may have lived within one person's lifetime. These are some of the principal systems that have undergirded world civilisations ever since. Vidal recounts them with fascination and acid wit.

But that is not all. At the core of the book is a portrayal of court life at the high noon of the Persian empire, a hotbed of intrigue, fellowship, and sex. You learn about subject Babylon, Xerxes' alcoholism, and the governance via eunichs from the inner chambers of the queen's harem. What is most original is that Vidal sets Persian civilisation in stark contrast to the more primitive Greeks, who were enjoying their own golden (Periklean) age. This neatly turns our Western self image of Greek glory on its head, and is hilarious as well as effective satire (though Vidal is so subtle that I may be misreading him here).

Highly recommended, the best historical novel I ever read.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read, Jan 17 2000
By Chitown Reader (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
Recently on an interview broadcast on C-SPAN, Gore Vidal, when asked what he would do if he were to be King for a day said that he would make everyone read this book. After reading it, I must agree. This is a truly enjoyable and entertaining book to read, but more than that it is profound in its insight and wisdom into the organized religious structure of society today. Vidal uses the origins of the various religions and slightly veiled fictional religions to present his thesis and critique of the monotheistic religions. I highly recommend this book to everyone, whether you are looking for merely an entertaining book to read or for something more, this book will "create" that experience for you.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars One the best books about Western take on Eastern mysticism, Dec 6 1999
Hats off to Gore Vidal, who amazed me with his understanding of the ancient eastern world, without going overboard with the fallacies in the system. A must created and the book certainly goes in the "A" list of books
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 		 Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, clever historical fiction
Creation is the story of Cyrus Spitama, Zoroaster's grandson, and his desire to understand the origin of the universe. Read more
Published on Jun 18 2003 by Bukkene Bruse

2.0 out of 5 stars Jaded 20th century views imposed on the 5th Century B.C.
First of all, let me state that I like and admire Gore Vidal. I find his political and social essays to be perceptive. Read more
Published on Dec 23 2002 by OAKSHAMAN

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Book for History Lovers
The fact that this book is one of the most stunning books that i have ever read kinda crept up on me. Read more
Published on Feb 1 2001 by David Lane

5.0 out of 5 stars a great recreation
The history is delightful and at the same time very instructive. Gore Vidal gives us a remarkable recreation of what was happening in the Persian Empire on the 5th century B. Read more
Published on Jul 9 2000 by gaucho-poa

4.0 out of 5 stars A perfect creation is only the history itself
As a reader brought up in Chinese culture background I found the book's depiction of 5 B.C. "Cathanyan" civilization with its share of sages, people and things... Read more
Published on Jun 25 2000 by J.Z. Tao

4.0 out of 5 stars Around the world with Charlie Schuyler
Historical fiction, particularly from classical times or earlier, can either be great or believable; I'm not certain it can be both. Read more
Published on Jun 8 2000 by Timothy R. O'Neill

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazing
It's unfortunate that alot of people will be discouraged by the size of this book, and the fact that it is "historical fiction..." Don't be fooled! Read more
Published on May 21 2000 by eibhinn

4.0 out of 5 stars VERY GOOD BOOK THAT PEOPLE COULD RELATE EARLY HISTOYRY WITH.
CYRUS STIPAMA WAS THE MAIN CHARACTER. IT WAS ABOUT HIS ADVENTURES THROUGH THE EARLY CIVILIZATIONS. HOW THEY COMPARED WITH EACH OTHER AND THEY DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER.
Published on Nov 17 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding historical fiction and philosophical examination
This book, through the person of the grandson of the founder of Zoroastrianism, scans the major world societies of the Classical age, examining the creation of several of the... Read more
Published on Oct 6 1999 by John A. Kackley

4.0 out of 5 stars An enlightening perspective on history and religion
Gore Vidal does a wonderful job bringing the fifth century B.C. to life. Most of the historical material that is available from this time period tells the story from the Greek... Read more
Published on Aug 1 1999

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