The Sword Is Forged

The Sword Is Forged
First edition cover
AuthorEvangeline Walton
Cover artistRowena Morrill
LanguageEnglish
GenreHistorical fiction
PublisherTimescape Books
Publication date
1983
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardcover & paperback)
Pages347
ISBN0-671-46490-6

The Sword Is Forged is a 1983 historical fiction novel by Evangeline Walton. It is based on the story of Theseus and the Amazon queen Antiope from Greek mythology.

Plot

The Amazon queen Antiope is captured by Theseus and brought back to Athens to become his bride. They fall in love and she bears him a son, Hippolytus, but soon the Amazons besiege Athens to reclaim their queen.

Characters

  • Antiope, young queen of the Amazons
  • Theseus, king of Athens
  • Molpadia, Amazon War Queen and Antiope's aunt
  • Herakles, Greek hero

Development and publication

According to Douglas A. Anderson, Walton wrote a trilogy of novels about Theseus in the mid-1940s.[1] She completely rewrote all three books in the mid-1950s, but put them aside when Mary Renault published her own Theseus novels, The King Must Die (1958) and later The Bull from the Sea (1962).[1][2] After the success of the Ballantine editions of her Mabinogion tetralogy in the 1970s, Walton visited Greece and started reworking her own Theseus trilogy.[1] The first volume was published as The Sword Is Forged in 1983.[1][2] Walton died in 1996, and the other two installments remain unpublished.[1][3]

Themes

In The Encyclopedia of Fantasy, John Clute and John Grant cite The Sword Is Forged as an example of the use of the Amazon in sword and sorcery as "an icon of female autonomy".[4] They go on to explain that novel uses Theseus to present "a patriarchal challenge to the Amazon in terms which allow some inspired debate".[4] Kirkus Reviews suggests that the takeaway theme of the novel is that "love 'must always mean bondage' for women".[5]

Reception

Kirkus Reviews called The Sword Is Forged "an earnest, hard-working, but spindly reconstruction" of the Theseus myth, noting that "Antiope has a certain pep in the first half here ... But the Amazons emerge as a kind of terrorist branch of NOW, and Antiope's decline into All-for-Love milque-toastery is truly tedious."[5] Don D'Ammassa wrote in his Encyclopedia of Fantasy and Horror Fiction that the novel is "an entertaining story but fails to measure up to [Walton's] Welsh stories".[3]

Mary Renault described The Sword Is Forged as "a keen exploration of Greek myth", and Poul Anderson wrote that Walton's "scholarship and realistic detail never get in the way of an exciting and moving story."[6] Praising Walton's combination of feminism and romantic love, Fritz Leiber called the novel "the best fictional depiction of the Amazons that I've ever encountered".[6]

The novel was nominated for a 1984 Locus Award, but lost to The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.[7] Bradley had previously called Walton's novel "a book of wonderful humanity and great classic force."[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Interview: Douglas A. Anderson on Evangeline Walton". SF Site. November 22, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Williamson, Jamie (2015). The Evolution of Modern Fantasy: From Antiquarianism to the Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-1-137-51579-7. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  3. ^ a b D'Ammassa, Don (2006). "Walton, Evangeline". Encyclopedia of Fantasy and Horror Fiction. Facts on File. p. 368. ISBN 0-8160-6192-0.
  4. ^ a b Clute, John; Grant, John, eds. (February 1999). "Amazons". The Encyclopedia of Fantasy. St. Martin's Griffin. p. 23. ISBN 0-312-19869-8.
  5. ^ a b "The Sword Is Forged by Evangeline Walton". Kirkus Reviews. 1983. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  6. ^ a b c Walton, Evangeline (1983). "Back cover". The Sword Is Forged. Timescape Books. ISBN 0-671-46490-6.
  7. ^ Walton, Jo (May 22, 2011). "Hugo Nominees: 1984". Tor.com. Retrieved March 16, 2016.

Read other articles:

RFL Women's Super League

Women's rugby league competition in the United Kingdom For the women's football league, see Women's Super League. Women's Super LeagueCurrent season, competition or edition: 2023 RFL Women's Super LeagueSportRugby leagueFounded2017; 6 years ago (2017)No. of teams8Country EnglandMost recentchampion(s) York Valkyrie (1st title)Most titles Leeds Rhinos (2 titles)TV partner(s)Sky SportsLevel on pyramid1Domestic cup(s)Women's Challenge CupOfficial website/Women's Super Leagu...

 

Luigi Ontani

Luigi Ontani, 2017 Luigi Ontani (* 24. November 1943 in Grizzana Morandi) bei Vergato (einem kleinen Dorf im Apennin zwischen Bologna und Florenz) ist ein italienischer Künstler, der in Rom lebt und arbeitet. Zuvor lebte er eine Zeit lang in Bologna. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 Leben und Werk 2 Einzelausstellungen (Auswahl) 3 Gruppenausstellungen (Auswahl) 4 Literatur 5 Einzelnachweise 6 Weblinks Leben und Werk Ontanis Leben wird von ihm selbst bewusst im Dunkeln gehalten. In vielen Katalogen seine...

 

A-1 Skyraider

A-1 Skyraider A-1 Skyraider adalah pesawat tempur penyerang satu tempat duduk yang dibangun oleh Douglas Aircraft Company (setelah itu McDonnell Douglas dan kini bagian dari perusahaan Boeing ). Pesawat ini menjadi satu kejanggalan karena menjadi pesawat berkipas yang sangat sukses melakukan misi pada zaman pesawat jet. Pesawat A-1 Skyraider digunakan sebagai pesawat pengiring helikopter penyelamat, dan untuk Pesawat serang antigerilya (close air support) bagi unit-unit militer darat yang mem...

Morgantown, West Virginia

City in West VirginiaMorgantown, West VirginiaCityDowntown MorgantownWest Virginia UniversityMilan Puskar StadiumMetropolitan TheatreMonongalia County Courthouse FlagSealLogoMotto(s): (Latin) Regina Monongahelae—Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum;[1] (English) There is nothing left for the Queen of the Monongahela to return to[2]Interactive map of MorgantownMorgantownShow map of West VirginiaMorgantownShow map of the United StatesCoordinates: 39°38′1″N 79°57′2″W...

 

Ruud Brood

Ruud Brood Informasi pribadiNama lengkap Ruud BroodTanggal lahir 19 Oktober 1962 (umur 61)Tempat lahir Gorinchem, BelandaPosisi bermain GelandangInformasi klubKlub saat ini RKC Waalwijk (Manajer)Karier senior*Tahun Tim Tampil (Gol)1983–1985 Feyenoord Rotterdam ? (?)1985–1987 RKC Waalwijk ? (?)1987–1989 FC Den Bosch ? (?)1989–1990 Willem II Tilburg ? (?)1990–1998 NAC Breda ? (?)Kepelatihan1997–2004 NAC Breda (pelatih junior)2004–2006 Helmond Sport2006–2007 Heracles Almelo2...

 

مسجد وسبيل سليمان أغا السلحدار

مسجد وسبيل وكتاب سليمان أغا السلحدار إحداثيات 30°03′09″N 31°15′43″E / 30.052445°N 31.261878°E / 30.052445; 31.261878  معلومات عامة القرية أو المدينة القاهرة الدولة  مصر سنة التأسيس 1839  التصميم والإنشاء النمط المعماري عمارة إسلامية  معلومات أخرى ويكيميديا كومنز مسجد وسبيل س...

Grand Concourse (Bronx)

Boulevard in the Bronx, New York Grand ConcourseGrand Boulevard and ConcourseLooking southward from 179th Street with Manhattan in the backgroundOwnerCity of New YorkMaintained byNYCDOTLength5.2 mi (8.4 km)[1]LocationBronx, New York CityNearest metro stationIND Concourse LineSouth end I-87 / 138th Street in Mott HavenNorth end Mosholu Parkway in Bedford ParkConstructionConstruction start1894 (1894)Completion1909 (1909)OtherDesignerLouis Aloys RisseGr...

 

Expressionism (theatre)

Expressionism on the American stage: Paul Green and Kurt Weill's Johnny Johnson (1936). Expressionism was a movement in drama and theatre that principally developed in Germany in the early decades of the 20th century. It was then popularized in the United States, Spain, China, the U.K., and all around the world. Similar to the broader movement of Expressionism in the arts, Expressionist theatre utilized theatrical elements and scenery with exaggeration and distortion to deliver strong feeling...

 

Kurma Purana

Medieval era Sanskrit text, one of eighteen major Puranas A page from the Kurma Purana (Sanskrit, Devanagari) Part of a series onHindu scriptures and texts Shruti Smriti List Vedas Rigveda Samaveda Yajurveda Atharvaveda Divisions Samhita Brahmana Aranyaka Upanishads UpanishadsRig vedic Aitareya Kaushitaki Sama vedic Chandogya Kena Yajur vedic Brihadaranyaka Isha Taittiriya Katha Shvetashvatara Maitri Atharva vedic Mundaka Mandukya Prashna Other scriptures Bhagavad Gita Agamas Related Hindu te...

Bandar Udara Pulau Natal

Bandar Udara Internasional Pulau NatalIATA: XCHICAO: YPXMInformasiJenisPublikPengelolaToll Remote LogisticsLokasiPulau NatalKetinggian dpl mdplKoordinat10°27′02″S 105°41′25″E / 10.45056°S 105.69028°E / -10.45056; 105.69028Koordinat: 10°27′02″S 105°41′25″E / 10.45056°S 105.69028°E / -10.45056; 105.69028Situs webchristmasislandairport.com.auPetaXCHLokasi di Peta Samudra HindiaLandasan pacu Arah Panjang Permukaan m...

 

William Noel (MP for Rutland)

British politician image of William Noel The Honourable William Middleton Noel (2 May 1789 – 20 January 1859), was a British politician. Background Noel was the third son of Sir Gerard Noel, 2nd Baronet, and Diana, Baroness Barham, daughter of Admiral Charles Middleton, 1st Baron Barham. Charles Noel, 1st Earl of Gainsborough, was his elder brother.[1] Political career Noel succeeded his father as Member of Parliament for Rutland in 1838, a seat he held until 1840.[1][2&...

 

Anneli Burman

Swedish female curler Anneli BurmanCurler ♀Born (1963-03-13) 13 March 1963 (age 60)TeamCurling clubFalu CC, Falun[1]Curling career Member Association SwedenWorld Championshipappearances1 (1983) Medal record Curling Swedish Women's Championship 1983 Anneli Burman[2] (born 13 March 1963) is a Swedish curler.[3] She is a 1983 Swedish women's champion and three-time Swedish mixed champion (1987, 1989, 1990). Teams Women's Season Skip Third Second Lead ...

Tina Karol Charitable Foundation

2014 Ukrainian charitable organization Tina Karol Charitable FoundationFormation2014; 9 years ago (2014)FoundersTina KarolTypeFoundation (nonprofit)PurposeHelping children's oncology departments in UkraineHeadquartersKyiv, UkraineArea served UkraineWebsitefund.tinakarol.comFormerly calledThe Pole of Attraction The Tina Karol Charitable Foundation is a Ukrainian charitable organization that helps children's oncology departments of city and regional hospitals in Ukraine. Assis...

 

Karina Evn

Russian-Armenian singer (born 1997) Karina EvnBackground informationBirth nameKarina Khachaturovna AkopyanBorn (1997-08-16) 16 August 1997 (age 26)Moscow, RussiaGenres Pop R&B Occupation(s)Singer, songwriterYears active2013–presentWebsitekarinaevnMusical artist Karina Khachaturovna Akopyan (Armenian: Կարինա Խաչատուրովնա Ակոպյան; Russian: Карина Хачатуровна Акопян; born 16 August 1997), known professionally as Karina Evn or Karina EVN ...

 

The Good Road

2013 film The Good RoadFilm posterDirected byGyan CorreaWritten byGyan CorreaProduced byNational Film Development Corporation of IndiaStarringAjay GehiSonali KulkarniCinematographyAmitabha SinghMusic byRajat DholakiaRelease date 19 July 2013 (2013-07-19) Running time92 minutesCountryIndiaLanguageGujaratiBudget₹ 2.25 crore[1] The Good Road is a 2013 Indian Gujarati-language drama film written and directed by Gyan Correa. It was selected as the Indian entry for the Best...

Hartington, Derbyshire

Human settlement in EnglandHartingtonHartingtonHartingtonLocation within DerbyshirePopulation332 (Town Quarter Civil Ward 2011)OS grid referenceSK129604DistrictDerbyshire DalesShire countyDerbyshireRegionEast MidlandsCountryEnglandSovereign stateUnited KingdomPost townBUXTONPostcode districtSK17Dialling code01298PoliceDerbyshireFireDerbyshireAmbulanceEast Midlands UK ParliamentDerbyshire Dales List of places UK England Derbyshire 53°08′27″N 1°48...

 

Delta (rocket family)

Rocket family Delta Family Delta II through Delta IV Role Expendable launch systemwith various applicationsType of aircraft Manufacturer United Launch Alliance First flight May 13, 1960; 63 years ago (1960-05-13) Introduction 1960 Status active The Delta rocket family is a versatile range of American rocket-powered expendable launch systems that has provided space launch capability in the United States since 1960. Japan also launched license-built derivatives (N-I, N-II, and...

 

Antonio Rostagni

Antonio Rostagni Antonio Rostagni (Novara, 14 luglio 1903 – Padova, 5 dicembre 1988) è stato un fisico italiano. Indice 1 Biografia 2 Opere principali 3 Note 4 Bibliografia 5 Voci correlate 6 Altri progetti 7 Collegamenti esterni Biografia Laureatosi in Fisica all'Università di Torino nel 1925, subito dopo divenne assistente all'Istituto di Fisica della stessa, quando, conseguita la libera docenza in fisica sperimentale nel 1931, dopo alcuni anni di studio e di ricerca trascorsi in German...

Autodesk Alias

Industrial design software Autodesk AliasAutodesk AliasStudio windowDeveloper(s)AutodeskStable release2021.3 Operating systemWindowsTypeCAID softwareLicenseProprietary softwareWebsitehttp://usa.autodesk.com/alias/ Autodesk Alias (formerly known as Alias StudioTools) is a family of computer-aided industrial design (CAID) software predominantly used in automotive design and industrial design for generating class A surfaces using Bézier surface and non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) modeling...

 

القطاع المصرفي في أوكرانيا

البنك الوطني الأوكراني شهد تاريخ القطاع المصرفي في أوكرانيا اعتبارًا من أواخر العقد الأول من القرن الواحد والعشرين عدة فترات من الاندماجات والاستحواذات المصرفيَّة المتفاوتة في طبيعتها.[1] بلغ عدد المصارف العاملة في أوكرانيا 117 مصرفًا اعتبارًا من مطلع عام 2016، في حين بل...

 

Strategi Solo vs Squad di Free Fire: Cara Menang Mudah!