After the “Book of the New Sun”, Wolfe went on to write many other books, including the undeservedly obscure “Soldier of the Mist” and “Soldier of Arete“, historically rigorous novels of a wandering mercenary in Greece at the time of the wars recounted in Homer. The soldier, who is nameless, has the same brain problem that the Guy Pearce character had in “Memento”, and keeps track of events in the world by keeping a journal.

These books reawakened my interest in classical culture and led me to read a great deal more about Greek and Roman history, and in the end to a deep appreciation of the surviving Greek plays, literature, and philosophy. A year or two ago Viv and I saw a fantastic production of the Odyssey, as a play, which KICKED my ASS! I laughed, I cried: it was a gift from God. I certainly would never have been interested if not for these books.

]]> Read more