The Phoenix and the Mirror [Paperback]

This is one of those rare small volumes, which, over time, have become cult classics. Avram Davidson never enjoyed the great popularity of some of his peers, but it should be noted that he enjoys much popularity among his peers. In other words, he is very much a writer's writer. By which I mean that his writing creates even more possibilities than it fulfills.

This book develops the medieval myth that Vergil was not simply a great poet, but a master mage living in the time of Augustus Caesar. Davidson's Vergil has the kind of inquisitive mind that has a knack for leading him into trouble. So, it is no surprise that, when he is rescued from being hunted by manticores, his rescuer, Cornelia of Carsus, promptly traps him into agreeing to create a speculum majorum - a mirror made entirely of the purest materials that, on its first use, will reveal whatever the user wishes it to see. Unfortunately, such mirrors are almost impossible to make, requiring raw materials that will send Vergil on a magical quest through the Roman Empire. Eventually the task will lead the mage to Phoenixes, Cyclops, things horrible and beautiful, and finally, to love.

What makes this small novel more than just a quaint, entertaining story is the depth of understanding Davidson has of this imaginary world. Not the world of the Roman Empire itself, but the world of the Roman Empire as it was imagined by medieval Europeans. Odd but useful creatures, distant lands with strange names, alchemists and astrologers all abound between these covers. There is no page upon which something arcane and unique is not revealed. In addition, the description of the making of the mirror is precise and accurate for the imaginary world of Hermes Trismegistis and the great works of alchemy.

The book is as much a resource for anyone interested in setting a fantasy in this world of the imaginary empire, as it is a jewel-like entertainment in which knowledge is an important part of the action. It is sad to see it always wobbling on the edges of being gone forever as publishers try more and more to substitute adrenalin for writing skills. Hopefully, you will find a copy and love it, and then be led to investigate Davidson's other works. Of such are pleasant hours made.

In the middle ages a legend sprouted that Vergil (yes, the ld roman) was a great magician. Davidson wrote this novel within this old fantasy setting. Minotaurs and witches abound, but so does a frightfully accurate knowlege of the ancient world. Quite a good read for those who like their historical fiction to be both well grounded and full of fanciful flights.

The Phoenix and the Mirror, written by Avram Davidson and published in 1966, is based on the medieval legend that the poet Vergil (The Aeneid) was a mage and sorcerer. Queen Cornelia of Carsus has taken hostage part of Vergil's soul. This leaves him feeling like less than a full man -- he's unmotivated and impotent. Though some of his parts don't work too well, Vergil's brain still works fine, so he sets out to meet Cornelia's demand: manufacture a virgin speculum so Cornelia can scry the whereabouts of her kidnapped daughter, Laura.

It's not too easy to make a magic mirror, even for an ancient and powerful sorcerer like Vergil. His first task is to acquire tin and copper ore that has never been used before, but this is difficult in a time when the Sea Huns are prowling the waters and controlling trade. Even if he can get all the materials he needs, the actual construction is an extremely precise and delicate alchemical operation.

Luckily, Vergil has several allies: his colleague Clemens, who's like a walking encyclopedia; a crew of students and apprentices who do most of Vergil's laboratory work; a mysterious Phoenician who is willing to guide him in his travels; a strange woman who dispenses advice and prophecies as she feeds her cats; and a down-and-out Sea-Hun king who can be bribed with the promise of worshipping Aphrodite in her temple of beautiful priestesses.

Avram Davidson uses the backdrop of Vergil's quest to fill The Phoenix and the Mirror with some real geography, history, and science, and plenty of richly-detailed bits of medieval legends, fantastical creatures, alchemical instructions, and astrological divinations. Thus, you'll meet a cyclops, a gargoyle and a homunculus along with Roman soldiers and Sea-Huns and you'll learn the exact techniques for the construction of magical mirrors.

The Phoenix and the Mirror is beautifully written and gently and delightfully humorous, too, as Vergil and Clemens playfully stab each other with their witty banter and as Vergil manipulates his intellectual inferiors with his subtle persuasive techniques. The book begins with Vergil being chased by manticores through the sewers of Naples, and it ends with a surprise and a twist, but the middle of the book bogs down with too many details about Vergil's travels and the construction of the mirror.

Intriguing questions about Vergil remain -- Where did he come from? How old is he? What are his powers? What was he searching for in the sewers? I hope these will be answered in the sequel: Vergil in Averno.

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