Book 347: The Amulet of Samarkand
I was feeling a bit under the weather today, perhaps due to the unexpected heat, so I thought I might re-read the Bartimaeus Trilogy. My plans were a bit foiled by the fact that I kept falling asleep, or feeling too unpleasant to actually open my eyes, let alone read an actual book, so I only got through book one.
This trilogy centers around the life of a young magician who grows up in a sort of alternative England which has become dominated by magicians. In fact, the magicians have basically seized control of the nation, setting up a ferocious class war. Their secret is that their power lies in the demons they summon, with the magicians lacking inherent magical power. Our young magician summons Bartimaeus, a wise-cracking demon who is fond of footnotes, and the games begin.
I love these books because they are smart, and funny. Yes, they are intended for children/young adults, but they’re fun for adults too. I love footnotes, especially wry ones, and I like the story and the ideas behind it. I sometimes feel like an unseen hand is controlling my own government, and so I can appreciate the world of London that our hero lives in. And I have a soft spot for demons.
And now, back to lying prostrate on the floor and feeling sorry for myself. Linoleum is remarkably cooling, you know, especially if you place strategic ice packs on it for 15 minutes or so before you plan to lie on it.
Demographics:
The Amulet of Samarkand, by Jonathan Stroud. Published 2003, 464 pages. Fiction.