Born in buena vista, virginia in 1928, jennings passed. The series reveals the very depths of aztec civilization and the history of mexicofrom the peak and featherbanner splendor of the aztec capital of tenochtitlan to the arrival of hernan cortas and his conquistadores, and their. Born in buena vista, virginia in 1928, jennings passed away in 1999 in pompton lakes, new jersey, leaving behind a rich legacy of historical fiction and outlines for new. Aztec by gary jennings abebooks shop for books, art. Here is the extraordinary story of the last and greatest native civilization of north america, at the height of its magnificent.
This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion and a free quiz on aztec by gary jennings. Told in the words of one of the most robust and memorable char. The story follows an aztec man whos captured by the spanish inquisition and regales his life story from pauper to prince. Gary jennings aztec series tells the extraordinary story of the last and greatest native civilization of north america. He befriends a spanish notary who understands the aztec language and begins to learn spanish in a mission. In the opening pages of jenningss aztec massive, audacious historical novel about the gothic conquest of the roman empire, thorn, the hermaphrodite heroheroine, is seduced first by a monk and then by a nun. It is the first of two novels jennings wrote in the aztec series. The first edition of the novel was published in 1980, and was written by gary jennings. Gary jennings audio books, best sellers, author bio.
Gary jennings is such a great story teller and all of his books are backed by a ton of research on his part. Gary jennings, a prolific writer whose books included the bestselling novel aztec, about the aztec war against the spanish conquistadors, died on saturday at his home in pompton lakes, n. Gary jennings has produced in aztec a monumental novel, noted nicholas shakespeare in the london times. Born in buena vista, virginia in 1928, jennings passed away in 1999 in. Readers familiar with mexican history will welcome the rich details of this vengeance drama. Aztec is a 1980 historical fiction novel by gary jennings. Along the way you will experience different cultures and interesting characters. Gary jenningss aztec is the extraordinary story of the last and greatest native civilization of north america.
Gary jennings was known for the rigorous and intensive research behind his novels, which often included hazardous travelsexploring every corner of mexico for his aztec novels, retracing the numerous wanderings of marco polo for the journeyer, joining nine different circuses for spangle, and roaming the balkans to do raptor. We bade the aztec sit down and tell us his life story. The remaining three novels were written by other authors after jennings died in 1999. Evicted from a monastery and a convent, thorn is then schooled in the ways of the world by the grumpy, blasphemous woodsman wyrd. The main characters of this historical, historical fiction story are. I put it down twice, for months at a time, it hit me so hard. See all books authored by gary jennings, including aztec, and aztec autumn, and more on. Gary jennings spent over a decade researching the aztec culture and created this nonfiction based fictional story about a culture so incredible different from our own, and yet even more cultured in some ways. A story of the aztec empire just before and during the arrival of the spanish.
Smith he contradictions of aztec culture both puzzle and fascinate modern readers. Can anyone reccomend any good books to read about the aztec empire. The four friars, busily flicking away at their tironian squiggles, did not then or since lose a single word that drops from the indians lips. Told plainly and at some remove, jennings has reserved the fancier footwork for an excursion into aztec culture, creating a detailed tapestry of a struggling, vanquished race. In this colorful and exciting era of swords and cloaks, upheaval and revolution, a young beggar boy, in whose blood run. Aztec gary jennings a tom doherty associates book new york begin reading table of contents about the author. Pdf aztec book by gary jennings free download 754 pages. Gary jennings was known for the rigorous and intensive research behind his books, which often included hazardous travelexploring every corner of mexico for his aztec novels, retracing the numerous wanderings of marco polo for the journeyers, joining nine different circuses for spangle, and roaming the balkans for raptor. Aztec series by gary jennings meet your next favorite book. The book takes you to all kinds of different places.
This was the first gary jennings book i ever readand i was hooked forever. Gary jennings was known for the rigorous and intensive research behind his books, which often included hazardous travelexploring every corner of mexico for his aztec novels, retracing the numerous wanderings of marco polo for the journeyers, join. By the time id finished it, i felt like id lived the life of mixtli. Gary jennings was known for the rigorous and intensive research behind his books, which often included hazardous travel. Gary jennings usually structures his historical novels around a narrator who comes of age in the. Jennings is one of my favorite authors and aztec remains one of my top 5 all time great books. He was also popular for writing adult novels of historical fiction and gained prominence after the immense of his 1980 book called aztec. Aztec is the extraordinary story of the last and greatest native civilization of north america. Can anyone reccomend any good books to read about the. Rising above his lowly station, mixtil distinguishes himself as a scribe and later a. Gary jennings is a wellknown author of epic historical novels, each one set in a different period but all sharing the theme of survival by wit and chance in violent times. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 754 pages and is available in paperback format. Aztec autumn 1997, a story of the aztecs following the spanish conquest. The book has been awarded with premio bancarella 1982.
The third volume in gary jennings historical epic that began with the aztec and aztec autumn. The title of this book is aztec blood and it was written by gary jennings. Magazine of fantasy and science fiction june 1979 jun. Gary jennings exciting sequel to his best selling aztec, vividly recreates a forgotten chapter of history. Aztec 2006 read online free book by gary jennings in. Aztec autumn by gary jennings and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Aztec is a compelling story, unusual in that it is told from the point of view of one of the vanquished, rather than by the conquerors.
See the complete aztec series book list in order, box sets or omnibus editions, and companion titles. Uneven, comparatively brief sequel to jenningss epic historical tale aztec 1980. While we wait, heres my third selection for my 11part series on my favourite authors of historical fiction. Gary jennings september 20, 1928 february, 1999 was an american author who wrote childrens and adult novels. Gary jennings unfolds the story of the overthrow of the native mexicans through the voice of an amiable but wry aztec adventurer named mixtli.
Gary jenningss apocalypse 2012, spangle the aztec book series by gary jennings includes books aztec, aztec autumn, aztec blood, and several more. Gary jennings books list of books by author gary jennings. The book is written as a series of letters from the bishop of the see of new spain to king carlos of spain containing a transcribed. The aztecs practiced a religion based upon warfare, human sacrifice, and other violent and bloody ritu als, but they also created exquisite works of art and beautiful lyric poetry that still speaks to us today. Gary jennings has 91 books on goodreads with 56621 ratings. These sprawling works, sometimes reaching 500,000 words, are packed with violence, braggadocio and vivid sex scenes. Jennings makes it seem so real with the letters to the king at the beginning of every chapter. Of these 5 books, gary had written only 3 and the remaining 2 were penned additionally after garys death by junius podrug and garys former editor named robert gleason. I imagine later today ill have some good news to announce.
There is an ongoing commentary by the bishop while mixtlis narrative is written down. It is a story told in the words of one of the most robust and memorable characters in modern fiction. The aztec series written by author gary jennings is comprised of a total of 5 books, which were released between the years 1980 and 2008. Mixtli is brought in by the catholic bishop to talk about his life. In 1980, after the successful novel aztec, he specialized in writing adult historical fiction novels.