A Brightness Long Ago Audiobook By Guy Gavriel Kay cover art

A Brightness Long Ago

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A Brightness Long Ago

By: Guy Gavriel Kay
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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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 Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Renaissance
Lyrical Prose • Rich Worldbuilding • Masterful Narration • Intricate Plotting • Expressive Voice • Perfect Tone
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The first two-thirds of the story are quite entertaining, but after the demise of (in my opinion) its best character, it goes steadily downhill. Battle scenes and commanders talking about strategizing and power, etc. I had to keep rewinding it because my mind would drift. I finally gave up with about two hours left.

A bit boring

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Guy Gavriel Kay and Simon Vance are beautiful. But this book isn’t up to the level of under heaven or tigana.

Good

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This latest of my favorite living author has been a fine read. The characters take a lot from earlier parts of the story. They are not as strong as many have been but the tale carries them as Kays characters have often taken the weight of a story line. Nothing approaches the keenness of my favorites, Tigana and Under Heaven, surely the best of the best.

Very fine

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The musings of Danio Cerra, regarding events in his life a generation ago, describe an intoxicating adventure that stayed with him for a lifetime... like the rain that misses the cloud as it falls throughout the world.

Guy Gavriel Kay + Simon Vance = 5 STARS (Always)

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You do come to like the characters as you here all of their points of view and back story but no real plot. I kept waiting for something.

never goes anywhere

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I wouldn't start here if you haven't read Kay before. This is character study without a large overarching storyline to back it up. I enjoyed it but this one will be quickly forgotten.

Beautifully written, but not much by way of story

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Great story, kept my attention but was waiting for some some kind of fantasy element. This is more of a historical fiction.

Not fantasy

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A brilliant tableau of memorable characters and compelling plots exquisitely composed. As good as it gets.

Extraordinary story telling.

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This is a fine, enjoyable book and an exploration of the human condition. It is one of Guy Gabriel Kay's best and displays his talents in character development, sense of place, and realistic plotting fully. Simon Vance brings exactly the right tone to his portrayal of the main character and narrator. The book is set just before and during the fall of Byzantium and start of the Italian Renaissance. To get the most out of it, you should first read Kay's "Sailing to Sirantium" trilogy, set at the height of that great city and the construction of the Haggia Sophia. In a sense this is the conclusion of that series, although most of the references are subtle and this book can be read separately and should be seen on its own merits. Those who know the history and something of Italy may get amusement at identifying the cities, which he has renamed but otherwise left the same. Fiorenza, of course, is obvious, but clues are there for the identities of others as well. The main characters, of course, are fictional. Overall, this is among the finest of Kay's works, and I have read all but one, and well worth reading.

A fine novel, well worth reading

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Kay's lavish world building and lyrical prose continue to be at the head of the pack in this prequel to "Children of Earth and Sky," while Vance's narration is as on point as ever. The plot involves mercenaries and political maneuvering. "Children of Earth and Sky" is a slightly better book but this one is still an amazing fantasy novel especially for those who enjoy rich world building and prose.

An Excellent Marriage between Kay and Vance

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