Aztec

I like historical novels because it makes me learn about things that I wouldn't normally look up. After reading this, I did look up the history of Cortes in Mexico, and there is of course some truth to what was in the novel. I'll remember the details of the novel longer than I'll remember the Wikipedia entry. While the author no doubt took some liberties with unrecorded details, his depiction of the translations provided by Malinali made perfect sense to me. Of COURSE, the Aztecs didn't comprehend Christianity, and any attempt to communicate it would have been through their own lens of their own pantheon of gods. That wasn't a stretch of the imagination, though plenty in the novel was a long stretch. It was a pleasurable way to pass a week or so of leisurely reading. Not the kind of novel that had me chomping at the bit to get back to and finishing in a weekend though.

I own, and have read, a hard back edition of this book which I purchased several years ago under the title “Feathered Serpent”. I really enjoyed reading that book. I saw a Kindle edition was available under the title “Aztec” so added it to my Kindle list so I could re-read it on a long journey. I am very pleased I did because I am enjoying it just as much as the first time.Before reading the book I had obviously heard of the Spanish conquistador, Hernán Cortés and his expedition into Mexico during the early 1500’s and knew that it was a brutal time. I had not heard of Malinali, the female interest in the book, who becomes an interpreter and guide to Cortés. Malinali must have been a fascinating woman and she comes alive in the pages of this book.Colin Falconer writes excellent historical fiction, scrupulously researched for the facts but Colin likes to weave his own “What if, I wonder if….” Then gradually takes the reader on a journey into another time and place.Judging by some of the reviews I wonder if we were reading the same book! I accept we all have different tastes and read things differently, which is a good thing.To the reviewer who said “This is my first read of a book by Falconer and will probably be my last” l can assure you that Colin Falconer is a very eclectic writer and when I recommend a book he has written to a friend I do sometimes say “If you don’t like that book just choose another by Colin Falconer, they are all different. If “Aztec” was not to your liking then I would suggest “Venom” or “Isabella Braveheart of France” or “East India”…the list goes on.I read through some of the reviews and note the mention of typos, yes I have found them in my Kindle edition but not my hard back which is beautifully produced. I think perhaps something is going on between what has actually been written and the transfer to Kindle.I would like to end my review with a quote from the Preface of the hard back “At the time of the Spanish conquest, the ruling tribe of the Mexican valley called themselves the Culhua-Mexica. The term Aztec did not come into common usage until the nineteenth century.” Mexico City, October 2000.

The book was too long and, at times, boring. The mechanics of good writing were fine. A few errors did not interrupt the reading flow. There was not a great deal of background on Cortes, so his character was not clearly defined. That is not the author's fault. Through his lover, Malinali, a naturale of some Aztec descent, the story of Montezuma and Mexico City was told. She was a delightfully deceiving interpreter between the Spaniards and several Indian tribes. She and Cortes knew that their lives were intertwined from the moment they met. The Spaniards were in Mexico to convert the natives to Christianity and to stop the practice of human sacrificing. The natives believed Cortes was a supreme god returned to rule. Malinali encouraged the latter belief creating all kinds of confusion. Montezuma even gave his throne to Cortes thinking he was a god. Cortes had to fight the natives several times, but Malinali told him the secret to winning those battles where the Spaniards were greatly outnumbered. Without her, Mexico's history may have taken a different tack. Behind every great man....I wanted more background about the kind of warriors the Spanish were. Cortes' conquest started in 1520. Cuba was already an established colony. Think about the time between 1492 and 1520. The Spanish did not waste any time claiming their territories in the new world. I have mentioned the parts of the book that really interested me. I believe each reader will take away something different after reading the book. I have found that to be true in reading other books by this author. Readers, I spent too much time in the dictionary and Wikipedia. I believe it would be best just to read the book through without getting flustered by name pronunciation and history. I have taken the liberty of giving the tribes and places the names by which I knew them.Thank you, Mr. Falconer, for another good read.