Sutcliff skillfully wove this retelling of the epic legend. She retained an element of archaic sensibility, while writing in language the modern reader has no trouble understanding. Kudos to her for that.
The story itself is fairly captivating, as it would almost have to be considering how long it has lasted. It forms an instantly recognizable archetype: young, beautiful lovers estranged forever because of circumstances and destined to end tragically. Romeo and Juliet, anyone? I suppose such plots capture audiences because of their uncertainty and suspense, and the exquisite sadness of it all. I think there is also some schadenfreude in seeing insanely privileged individuals suffer for their own folly.
It truly is the protagonists' folly that leads to the tragic end. Sutcliff makes a poor case for their uncontrollable ardour for each other, merely attributing it to a moment in which each gazed into the other's eyes and felt some sort of intangible bond. They had no true points of connection that they could not have had with their respective spouses. She is gorgeous and he is handsome, but that does not mean they are irrevocably destined for each other.
Marriage is for procreation and the spurring on of one another towards righteousness, if you've biblical inclinations. It is not just the satisfaction of lust. Pleasure is an essential component, but it is not the only one. Relationships need to be established upon something more than just physical attraction. Not that any of this was given any consideration here. It was a romance, after all. They die in the end. How romantic.
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