Was Apollo well impersonated?

Use this forum to discuss the September Book of the Month "Apollo's Raven" by Linnea Tanner.
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ianfrb77
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Was Apollo well impersonated?

Post by ianfrb77 »

After reading the book, I think Apollo's complex personality was thoroughly depicted by Tanner.
But I wonder whether she stuck to the actual mythological god properly. For those who know more about Apollo and the historic context surrounding him: what do you think? :eusa-think:
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Post by Sirlimu01 »

It is well impersonated . The characterization is well defined and structured.
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Post by jenjayfromSA »

Who knows what Apollo was like? He used to demolish whole cities with his bow and arrows and thought nothing of spreading a little plague. He chased girls until one turned into a tree to escape him (bad breath?). He killed his lover, but was probably an accident. The gods as depicted in mythology were a despicable lot.
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Post by Theresa Moffitt »

I think the author incorporated some of the positive qualities from mythology.
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Post by rubinelli »

I think Apollo was chosen because of his connecting with the Oracle of Delphi. He was to god of prophecies, poetry, medicine, song, and the sun. I don't think that Apollo was characterized well. The book never really expanded on the god past that his likeness was based on Marcellus. For this book, the author could have chosen ANY random god or deity and it would not have made a difference.
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mamilla93
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Post by mamilla93 »

I think Tanner did a pretty good job of depicting Apollo. Mythology about greek gods is extensive, that is every god's multiple faced personality is out there and cannot be summed up as one character in one book . But, she did get the essence of the character as required by the plot.
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Post by winecellarlibrary »

I felt that there was not enough portrayed about Apollo, especially since Marcellus was supposed to be his embodiment.
There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!
-Emily Dickinson
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Post by Julie-p »

I guess a point of Greek and Roman mythology is that gods have a personality as depth as a human one, with it's flaws and all. And I think that it should have been better represented, but I really liked the portrayal of Apollo.
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Post by Rayah Raouf »

Very interesting question. Every book I've read that represented Apollo represented him differently. It is difficult to represent one of the Roman gods in a book because it depends on how you are looking at them.
I think the author did a lot of reasarch. I like the way Apollo was represented.
Memories are dangerous things. You turn them over and over, until you know every touch and corner, but still you'll find an edge to cut you.― Mark Lawrence, Prince of Thorns
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