The Last King of Lydia

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The story really is about how he thinks about the world, and his relationships with other characters, who I think you could see almost as parts of his own personality. Croesus is not a man one might aspire to be like or be with, but his journey through life is a deep, varied and intimate one which I really enjoyed. As a big fan of all manner of historical fiction I would highly recommend this book both for its writing but also how it explores a period not often seen in the genre. Croesus is master of his own destiny and it is only his thoughtless behavior that will bring about his downfall.

This is an absorbing, refreshing novel which offers something a little different to the norm and I hope that the author has more tales of ancient worlds in the pipeline. This is a book without large set piece battles or gallons of blood and core but studies the human psyche and emotions. This deeply wise novel of what it means to be human is perfect for readers of Mary Renault and David Malouf. Herodotus and other Greek authors recounted a lot of myths that built up around him and threw some of their own in for good measure.I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but I found it to be a compelling story of the ancient world.

This transformation, from fear to wary understanding, is echoed in Croesus's changed relationships with others once he is no longer king. Tim Leach has taken the Greek legend of Croesus, the extravagantly rich king of Lydia whose river, the Pactolus, flowed with gold, and retold it in a smart, meaning-laden manner that I enjoyed. The friendship developed between Croesus-Isocrates-Maia after the fall of Lydia did not convince me as well.I can't claim any expert knowledge on the historical accuracy and I suspect Leach occasionally allows a few modern perspectives to infiltrate the minds of his characters, but for me that is forgivable.

He does a great job of giving his characters distinct personalities and worldviews, including some historical and pseudohistorical figures (e. Life is full of pleasures we shouldn’t turn down just because we worry they aren’t permanent or profound. It is heart-wrenching to read about his reflections on his short life, as he marched to death, fighting for his country. I heartily recommend "The Last King of Lydia" to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and anyone who has read and enjoyed Herodotus. I did like the exploration of Croesus having his wealth taken away and reduced to being a slave, how he was forced to see the harsh realities of life from the side of those he had previously taken for granted.King Cyrus of Persia will destroy Croesus hopes and dreams and as he awaits his execution atop a pyre, his city being pillaged, his wealth gone and his wife and son dead. So a more detailed expansion of the same tale that doesn’t do anything different or change anything but the style seems pointless to me.