Temple of a Thousand Faces
-
-
4.2 • 17 Ratings
-
-
- $13.99
-
- $13.99
Publisher Description
In his international bestseller Beneath a Marble Sky, John Shors wrote about the ancient passion, beauty, and brilliance that inspired the building of the Taj Mahal. Now with Temple of a Thousand Faces, he brings to life the legendary temple of Angkor Wat, an unrivaled marvel of ornately carved towers and stone statues. There, in a story set nearly a thousand years ago, an empire is lost, a royal love is tested, and heroism is reborn.
When his land is taken by force, Prince Jayavar of the Khmer people narrowly escapes death at the hands of the conquering Cham king, Indravarman. Exiled from their homeland, he and his mystical wife Ajadevi set up a secret camp in the jungle with the intention of amassing an army bold enough to reclaim their kingdom and free their people. Meanwhile, Indravarman rules with an iron fist, pitting even his most trusted men against each other and quashing any hint of rebellion.
Moving from a poor fisherman's family whose sons find the courage to take up arms against their oppressors, to a beautiful bride who becomes a prize of war, to an ambitious warrior whose allegiance is torn--Temple of a Thousand Faces is an unforgettable saga of love, betrayal, and survival at any cost.
READERS GUIDE INCLUDED
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"The river was red. The red of both birth and death." Thus begins the prophecy of Ajadevi, visionary and queen to Jayavar, in Shors's thousand year-old dive into the Indochinese past, one unfamiliar to most Westerners. The Khmer people, under the leadership of their heroic royals, are struggling to regain the temple complex of Angkor Wat, the center of their culture, from the invading Chams. Predictably structured with the requisite romance budding across enemy lines, the novel reads quickly and is populated by a host of archetypal characters: a brave fishing family, beautiful upper class women, warriors, insurgents, slaves, and concubines. Shors (Beneath a Marble Sky) simplified names as he fleshed out a history of which few accounts survive; thus, his use of language makes the characters our contemporaries, however, as historical fiction, the cultural details feel shallow, limited to clothing and some sketched views of the temples. Refreshingly, strong Khmer women carry the novel forward; offering a welcome change of perspective on the epic tradition. It's said that there are only two stories in the world a man goes on a journey and a stranger comes to town; here, Shors gives us both.
Customer Reviews
Great Read!
I just could not put this book down! Such a compelling story. Highly recommend!
A sight to behold and a story that offers a glimpse of the beautiful and indomitable Khmer spirit
I had just returned from a visit to Siem reap and spent a day wandering through the stunning environs of Angkor Wat. Our guide shared with passion and love of his past king Jayarvarman VII. Despite being there, the feeling was one of distance and a lacking in empathy or understanding of the depth of his love.
John's book brings this visit to Angkor Wat a full circle. It completes the indescribable wonder if standing amidst one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world and brings to life how the people lived and felt during those times. The struggles of the Khmer people take on a deeper meaning and each bullet hole on the walls of the temples are stark reminders that difficult times continued even after King Jaya's reign.
I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who is planning or has visited Cambodia. Better still, spend a few days in the shade of a ficus tree reading it. An entertaining and emotive read.