Out of the Lion's Maw

‘Only one thing was shameful in a storyteller, and that was when he was boring, unable to frighten or delight his audience.’

Publicaton date: 15 May 2022An exciting, new translation of Witold Makowiecki’s classic series, Out of the Lion’s Maw is a children’s adventure story centered in the ancient Mediterranean, but will greatly appeal to all ages who have an inner curiosity and zeal for exploration. The prose is simple but elegant, and craftily translated from Polish; while reading, I didn’t get the sense that I was reading a translation. The narrative also immerses you in ancient Greece—unlike many modern historical fiction books, this one doesn’t convey any ‘modern’ biases, so you truly feel like you are embedded in ancient culture. Makowiecki’s knowledge of classical history and society is quite commendable. The plot follows a fairly standard hero’s trajectory, but it does contain plenty of surprises and ‘twists’ that will keep you wondering what might happen next.This volume of the series focuses on Nehurabhed and Melicles, though the story gradually shifts its focus from the former to the latter. I did find that a bit confusing initially, but Melices’s character grew on me. His earnest nature and desire to right wrongs, driven by his own experience as a slave, were well-captured on page. Side characters, such as Kalias, were also fun and dynamic. I also found it surprising that Makowiecki’s narrative explicitly centers those in the fringes of Greek society—a foreign priest, a hero’s mother (who is given entirely due credit for his reputation and success), slaves, and people with disabilities. Nowadays such a book might be vehemently criticized for ‘pandering to the woke crowd’, but here it feels earnest and respectful—not to mention it stays within the realistic norms of the time period. I do wish that Nehurabhed’s character got a little more screen time, as he sort of retreats into the shadows in the second half; but I understand that this is likely to focus on Melices’s growing maturity and development.As a storyteller, Makowiecki does a great job of delighting his audience and keeping them entertained. I was well immersed in the world of the book, and though the characters took time to grew on me, I was ultimately invested in their stories. The ebook edition is rendered beautifully with Greek vase-style art and modern fonts—even some of the big publishers don’t put as much effort into their ebooks. There were a few typographical errors and mistaken words, and the use of footnotes seemed an odd choice (assuming they are not in the original), but my reading experience was still quite enjoyable. I am excited to read the next volume in the series when it is released. Despite the success of recent series like Percy Jackson, there is a dearth of historical fiction set in the ancient Mediterranean in the English language (especially ones that incorporate such a wide expanse of cultures and areas). Not only does this story delight, but it will take you from the shores of Carthage to Egypt and even all the way to Ionia. Glory to Melicles!Disclaimer: Thank you to Tom Pinch and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC of this book.Favorite quotes:○ ‘The immeasurable depth of the sea beneath your feet; the immeasurable depth of heavens above your head. A gust of wind hardly moved the sail. The dark masses of water shifted like a great slithering beast under the boat, rocking it softly, gently.’○ ‘But one thing was certain: today, they had regained control of their lives. With the rudder of their life in their hands again, they could now face the world, work, and fight to shape their fate.’