Attila: The Scourge Of God ~ William Napier

Perhaps I was spoiled watching television productions of Attila, one with the 191cm Gerard Butler, another with the 198cm Rory McCann, both with hair down to their wastes and Glaswegian accents. Maybe I am jaded by the multiple theories about how Aëtius originally met, or why Attila was sent to Rome to begin with. It could very well be that I have no patience with historical fiction about people as children, or if I do, then I'd rather get those details from an adult perspective. I'm not quite sure. What I do know, is that what William Napier offers as the beginning of his trilogy is not at all what I had in mind.



There are a few ways a writer can approach a multi-volume work, specifically in this case a trilogy. One can begin the story with a protagonist's life altering event or milestone, perhaps as a self-reflection, or even through a strategy. One can also start the reader's journey at the beginning, or near enough to it. The last is how Napier chose to begin his trilogy about Attila; a "t'ween" for the lack of a better term, held hostage to ensure a Hun alliance.

The author has used this as a tool to introduce Attila and the three men who would help create the legend that he becomes. They are all boys. They are all already fixed in their future roles and, if one knows the basics of Attila's life, they are already fully wired for what is to come. With the exception of the actual future deceits, battles and betrayals, the story is already told and their balls haven't dropped yet voices have barely cracked.

I make this all seem unfair, and that is a valid argument. The unfortunate thing here is that I review books as single entities, and I do belied that in this particular case, the sum of the trilogy is better than the whole of its parts. That is to say, the trilogy should be analysed as a piece, rather than three and that each individual bit should be viewed as a chapter, or a part within the greater text.

I do wish to be clear; that despite my reservations, I did quite enjoy the writing and the story. I think too, it is quite likely that had I known nothing of Attila, I might have enjoyed the story rather than picking at it. I enjoyed Attila's petulance, Orestes's loyalty and bravery, Stilicho's stoicism in the face of adversity and the general's and Lucius's patience and strength. I winced when the young Hun made questionable choices and cheered when soldiers overcame political ineptitude; but all the while I still kind of felt duped.

Review originally appeared on the now defunct Paternoster Row Legacy