April proposed choice - Aztec Century, by Christopher Evans
Hi all, Aztec Century is an alternate history novel, with the point of departure from our history being that Cortez defected from Spanish service and joined the Aztecs instead. They were therefore not wiped out, and in the centuries since have gradually expanded out from central America across the globe. The details of the alternate history are sketched only lightly and occasionally, and it's quite fun trying to join the dots and reconstruct a more complete picture.
Availability is a mild annoyance and it may be difficult to suit everyone's preferences. It is easy in kindle - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aztec-Century-Gateway-Essentials-Christopher-ebook/dp/B00D8CY0XA/ and also in generic ebook (Nook, Kobo etc). However, so far as I can see hard copy books are only available on the second hand market - bookfinder.com has numerous copies starting from around £5-7 for shipping to any of UK, US or Canada. I don't think it is available in audio but am happy to be proved wrong.
If availability is a problem for anyone please let me know ASAP and if need be we can change.
The blurb reads
...
Britain has fallen to the technological might of the Aztec Empire whose armies have rampaged across the globe. Now, for the first time in a millennium, the British are a subject race.
Inevitably there is resistance - and among those determined to fight the invaders is Princess Catherine, elder daughter of the British monarch. But she is torn between her patriotism and her growing involvement, political and personal, with the Aztecs - and with one Aztec in particular. Then her sister is arrested and exiled for her part in an alleged terrorist attack - and Catherine finds herself walking a perilous tightrope...
Sweeping from occupied Britain to the horrors of the Russian front and the savage splendour of the imperial capital in Mexico, Aztec Century is a magnificent novel of war, politics, intrigue and romance, set in a world that is both familiar - and terrifyingly alien.
Winner of the BSFA Award for best novel, 1993
...
Comments
Looks like fun to me!
I’m in.
Sounds intriguing. Kindle is good for me, so availability isn't an issue.
I have mine, too.
I also have mine
Some recent research on the Aztec language, now being recognised as a highly sophisticated writing system but historically suppressed during Cortes's conquest. Presumably in the timeline of this book it was retained and extended as new technologies were invented...
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/aztec-empire-hieroglyphics-archaeology-b1827852.html
(the site may ask you to register but if you click "I'll do it later" the page loads anyway )
This is awesome! I remember a time when academics refused to admit that there were any written language systems native to the Americas with the possible exception of Mayan. They've come a long way!
A question. Does this book get going at any point? I've just finished as Part 2 Chapter 5 and so far the book is "woman sits in room." The most exciting even was the recent occurrence of "something exciting might happen in a different room"... didn't happen.
Is it worth carrying on?
I think so (but then I chose it ) but agree that it is a slow build-up. That might well be a good issue as a discussion starter...
All, I have set up a discussion category for the end of this month. You can either browse for it under the Monthly Book Selections menu item, or go for the direct link https://www.ttrpbc.com/categories/-99-(april-2021)-aztec-century-by-christopher-evans. You might want to update your notification preferences to include this.
This coming weekend has a public holiday on Monday here in the UK, though for me personally it won't make much difference to my activities post lockdown. I'm happy to post the discussion starters this coming Friday (30th) or later if folk prefer. Any suggestions or requests?
It doesn't much matter to me when you post, but I will personally not be done before the end of the weekend, and quite possibly not even then - I'll join when I can.
Same here!
@Apocryphal @cl, on ash_bowley I'm very happy to wait a week before posting, on the first weekend in May.
Any other thoughts or preferences?
No - I've just been weirdly busy!
The timing makes no difference to me.
I won’t be finished by the weekend, either, but I’m already behind in discussing Islanders, so me being behind here won’t be a change.
Anyone an enthusiast about synchronicity? This morning I came across a Guardian (UK newspaper) review for Civilisations by Laurent Binet, a French author whose work has often explored what-if questions, This one, to quote some extracts from The Guardian,
Apparently it starts when
It starts with a spoof Norse saga describing how Vikings got as far south as Panama, traded with the inhabitants, and introduced them to Western diseases much earlier than in our world.
Section 2 describes how Christopher Columbus failed to achieve much, and ended his days in captivity in Cuba.
Some years later Atahualpa, Incan emperor, sails to Europe and sets about destabilising the status quo and establishing himself as Holy Roman Emperor.
The fourth section takes the story on to the arrival of Aztecs, challenging the Incas for Europe's riches.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/apr/29/civilisations-by-laurent-binet-review-counterfactual-hi-jinks