The Anubis Gates

Tim Powers

Book 1 in the series:Anubis Gates

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The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers is a historical fantasy novel that combines elements of time travel, ancient Egyptian magic, and eccentric characters set in 19th century London. The story follows Brendan Doyle, an academic who gets stranded in the past after agreeing to guide a group of time travelers to a lecture by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. As he navigates through a world filled with sorcerers, beggars, magicians, and supernatural threats, he becomes entangled in a complex plot involving Egyptian gods, body snatching, and a group of individuals attempting to alter history. The writing style of the book is described as engaging, quick-paced, and filled with rich historical details and folklore, creating a unique blend of genres and themes.

Characters:

Characters vary widely, ranging from vivid historical figures to eccentric supernatural beings, though some feel underdeveloped.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is rich and vivid, capturing both imagery and complexity, though sometimes challenging for readers.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot stands out for its intricate blend of time travel, magic, and historical events, with a unique premise that captures readers' imaginations.

Setting:

The setting is a vividly rendered early 19th-century London, intertwined with elements of Egyptian mythology.

Pacing:

The pacing alternates between brisk action and convoluted scenes, with an initial slow build-up that propels into rapid developments.

“In this flowing stream, then, on which there is no abiding, what is there of the things which hurry by on which a man would set a high price? It would be just as if a man should fall in love with one...

Notes:

Tim Powers is known for blending genres like science fiction, fantasy, horror, and the occult.

The Anubis Gates was published in 1983 and won the Philip K Dick Award.

The story combines elements from history and myth, particularly Egyptian mythology and the arts of early 19th century, involving poets like Coleridge and Byron.

Brendan Doyle, the protagonist, becomes stranded in 1810 London after a time travel mishap.

The plot involves occultists aiming to resurrect the Egyptian god Anubis, causing chaos in time and space.

The novel features vivid descriptions of early 1800s London, enhancing the historical realism of the fantastical elements.

Powers often incorporates real historical events and figures into his narratives, creating an interesting backdrop for his fantastical plots.

The novel also touches on themes of identity and transformation, primarily through body swapping and magical reincarnations.

Many readers describe the pacing as fast and sometimes overwhelming, with numerous plot twists and character interactions.

The Anubis Gates is regarded as a significant early work within the steampunk genre, although some readers debate its classification due to its heavy reliance on fantasy rather than steam technology.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The Anubis Gates include themes of violence, body horror, and references to torture and abuse, though not excessively graphic.

From The Publisher:

Take a dazzling journey through time with Tim Power's classic, Philip K. Dick Award-winning tale…

"There have been other novels in the genre about time travel, but none with The Anubis Gates' unique slant on the material, nor its bottomless well of inventiveness. It's literally in a class by itself, a model for others to follow, and it's easy to see how it put Powers on the map."-SF Reviews

Brendan Doyle, a specialist in the work of the early-nineteenth century poet William Ashbless, reluctantly accepts an invitation from a millionaire to act as a guide to time-travelling tourists. But while attending a lecture given by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1810, he becomes marooned in Regency London, where dark and dangerous forces know about the gates in time.

Caught up in the intrigue between rival bands of beggars, pursued by Egyptian sorcerers, and befriended by Coleridge, Doyle somehow survives and learns more about the mysterious Ashbless than he could ever have imagined possible…

Ratings (11)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (4)
Liked It (1)
Did Not Like (3)

Reader Stats (38):

Read It (10)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (19)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (6)

1 comment(s)

domcat741

Did Not Like

6 months

I liked the idea of the book but found the characters too comical, maybe that was the point but I didn't enjoy it

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About the Author:

Tim Powers is the author of numerous novels including Hide Me Among the Graves, Three Days to Never, Declare, Last Call, and On Stranger Tides, which inspired the feature film Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. He has won…

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