![]() ![]() For a brief look at the historical events that inspired the book, click here. There may not have been a day of the moat – but there was a day of the ditch. For example, there was a Jewish chancellor to a Moorish King in one of the city states, Granada, whose name was Shmuel HaNagid (Samuel the Prince). ![]() People somewhat familiar with Spanish history might realise that Rodrigo Belmonte is inspired by the legendary figure of El Cid, but they may not realise that other direct historical parallels also exist. The three peoples that inhabit Al-Rassan and its neighbour Esperana -Asharites, Jaddites and Kindath- are clear parallels of Moors, Christians and Jews. ![]() Al-Rassan is a thinly disguised Al-Andalus – the book speaks powerfully and poetically of the conflict and tragedy of a fragmenting world inspired by the history of reconquista Spain. In The Lions of Al-Rassan, GGK went further than he ever had before towards history and away from traditional high fantasy. Darker in tone than his previous work, it nevertheless has that certain spark-that almost Shakespearian ability to work with human archetype-that makes Kay’s literary voice so distinctive.” Quille & Quire’s review, reproduced in full on this site, comments: “Kay doesn’t waste a word or a scene. The Lions of Al-Rassan was first published in 1995. ![]()
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