Product Description

This historical novel takes as its basis the fact that 2776 years ago a group of men ran between two piles of stones, and invented history. If, that is, history can be believed. All we know now is the name of the man who won the race in the first ever Olympic Games in 776 BC.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #473411 in Books
• Published on: 2001-02-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Review
The first Olympic Games were held in 776BC, allegedly. Forty years later at the court of King Palamedes of Elis, a Phoenician merchant on a trading mission sits down to dinner and hears the story of how the games came about. Two old men, brothers, Cleander and Cratus, tell the story and explain their part in the creation of the games. Whilst games were usually held at a funeral, in order to honour the dead, King Leon is persuaded to hold 'games with nobody dead' so that his underachieving son might shine at something. Cleaner and Cratus set out to recruit key players from all over Greece and encounter many adventures along the way. It is, of course, historical fiction, so the reader doesn't know much more about the Olympic Games at the end of the book than they did at the beginning, but it is a highly entertaining read all the same. Anyone well versed in ancient history and mythology will enjoy the many allusions on which much of the humour of the book is based. Holt uses the theme of fraternal rivalry to construct contrasting points of view of the same event, and so questions the validity of 'history'. (Kirkus UK)

ROSS LECKIE
'Wry and droll, fascinating and funny, by bringing us Alexander's nether parts this novel gives momentous matters unforgettable life'

About the Author
Tom Holt is the author of such comic fantasy classics as WHO'S AFRAID OF BEOWULF?, EXPECTING SOMEONE TALLER and OVERTIME, and of historical fiction, including THE WALLED ORCHARD and ALEXANDER AT THE WORLD'S END.

Customer Reviews

Brilliant
I've read many of Tom Holt's fantasy books, and seriously enjoyed them, so I thought I'd take a chance on one of his 'historical novels'. Olympiad didn't dissapoint. It has the same humour that makes his other books so good, but it takes a more realistic approach. Holt's talent for setting the scene so well in the mind is amazing. The characters all have distinctive personalities and the interaction between them is very funny. It's a well written book and I would urge readers of his other books (and anyone else who enjoys a brilliant read) to get Olympiad, and enjoy many happy hours reading what I believe to be Tom Holt's best book.

Very witty, historically interesting and sarcastically funny
This book is very witty and funny. It starts of by explaining the reason for the first olympiad (pure funny nonsense), and chronicles the inept recruiters who are supposed to convince game players to participate in these games. These recruiters are Great storytellers (well actually Tom Holt), but inept recruiters, getting into trouble all along the way (having an obstinate sister and uncle and rivals doesn't help them much), when speaking about it to a sceptical phoenicean years later, who interjects observations from a totally different culture, highlighting the sometimes idiotic premises on which we base our day to day assumptions. It is by far Tom Holt's best book in the last 3 years. Recommended.

Very witty, historically interesting and sarcastically funny
This book is very witty and funny. It starts of by explaining the reason for the first olympiad (pure funny nonsense), and chronicles the inept recruiters who are supposed to convince game players to participate in these games. These recruiters are Great storytellers (well actually Tom Holt), but inept recruiters, getting into trouble all along the way (having an obstinate sister and uncle and rivals doesn't help them much), when speaking about it to a sceptical phoenicean years later, who interjects observations from a totally different culture, highlighting the sometimes idiotic premises on which we base our day to day assumptions. It is by far Tom Holt's best book in the last 3 years. Recommended.