La historical fiction more specialized in specific times, it has a special predicament for narrators who delve into those particular settings. Cases like those of Robert Graves, Waltari o Santiago Posteguillo.
The future of our world can make the civilization of the day the epicenter of everything. Because in the current hodgepodge, in the synthesis of our globalization, we always discover very particular nuances that come from the glory days of each culture.
In those walks Nicholas Guild, with his creative intermittence from the distant eighties in which he began to Ken follett, with plots bordering on the historical but more tending to suspense. Then he already discovered in the classical world and in the Middle East his crucible in which to melt his great plots.
The case of Guild, perhaps due to this irregularity in its publications, may be that of a great best-selling author forgotten and recovered like Guadiana, never fully sufficiently recognized. An always surprising writer, but punished in part by that dedication given to the most authentic imprint, which he dictates a new work when he is convinced of telling something interesting, without further pressure.
Recovered for the cause of Spanish readers, his initial works have been reissued with considerable success.
Nicholas Guild's Top 3 Recommended Novels
The Spartan dagger
First half of the XNUMXth century BC. C.
One cold night outside a quiet Helot village, two young Spartan brothers, Éurito and Teleclo, crouch in wait to perform their Krypteia, the ancient rite of passage to blood. A family — father, mother, and son — approaches; they are unarmed and cannot defend themselves ... The Spartans go out into the moonlight and complete the ritual by killing the marriage. But the son, Protos, manages to escape first and finish off Teleclo later.
Quickly Sparta sends a party of warriors to finish off the boy. But this one, whose name means “the predestined one”, and who has a cunning and a skill with the arms outside the normal, ends the group.
Protos's thirst for revenge does not end with this episode, his heart no longer knows compassion. The Spartans have oppressed their people for centuries, and they want to end their power. To do this, he went to Thebes, where he made contact with General Epaminondas, who also wanted his city to free itself from the Spartan yoke.
As Protos grows into an adult, he begins to understand that his personal war against the murderers of his parents is also a fight for freedom.
The Macedonian
XNUMXth century BC Macedonia is experiencing a troubled time, torn by internal struggles within the royal family and harassed by the warlike border kingdoms. Philip, third son of King Amyntas and just a teenager, is sent as a hostage to Thebes, where he will receive military education from the great general Epaminondas.
Upon his return, he will quickly reveal his leadership skills and overwhelming personality. And although it was not written that he would reign, an unexpected turn of fate will make him seize power, turn his country into the hegemonic power of the Hellenic world and pave the way for the great empire that his son Alexander will create.
Assyrian
XNUMXth century a. C. Tiglath Assur and Asarhaddon, stepbrothers, excellent friends and sons of the king of Assyria, share dreams and secrets, although they know that they start far behind in the line of succession to the crown. But after the appointment of the heir to the throne, a plague of suicides and assassinations, which drives Assyria to the brink of civil war as barbarian tribes invade the country, clears the way.
These are terrible times in which betrayals and bloody killings take place, and many see their dreams shattered. As predicted by omens, his cousin, the lovely princess Asharhamat, will marry the new king. Passions collide with politics and the brothers confront each other. After the fall of Babylon comes the rise of Nineveh, and the two brothers will have to consider choosing between the will of the gods and their wishes, which will change the fate of the empire.
