Ransom

Insight text article on Ransom

Article by Dr Kim Edwards

Ransom

By David Malouf

INTRODUCTION

Why do some stories endure? What is it about some tales that fires our imaginations, haunts our dreams, and colours our own lives so much we can’t stop thinking, talking and writing about them? For Australian novelist David Malouf, it was the way in which an ancient myth of battle and fallen heroes connected with his own personal experience of growing up during wartime – this inspired him to respond to and retrace the legendary story of Troy with his own visions and revisions.

Stories always beget stories, changing over time to reach out to new audiences. Malouf’s novel Ransom takes up and shakes up an old epic tale of the clashing battles we fight both in the world and inside our own heads. It reminds us why story-telling (and retelling) is so important in preserving our histories, explaining and enriching our own lives and experiences, foretelling our futures.

BRIEF SYNOPSIS

Achilles is inconsolable over the death of his companion Patroclus in battle. Even killing the killer was not vengeance enough: he now desecrates the corpse of Trojan prince Hector daily, dragging it behind his chariot in a shameful fit of rage and pain.

King Priam determines to approach his enemy Achilles as an ordinary man and father, to offer him a ransom of gold in return for his son’s body. The royal court, including his wife Hecuba, are horrified, but he will not be swayed.

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© Insight Publications 2010

Insight text article on Ransom

Bewildered local carter Somax is subsequently commissioned to drive Priam to the Greek camp.On the journey he casually shares stories of common life and simple pleasures, causing Priam to rethink his own philosophies about family, death and the art of living.

A mysterious young man who escorts them safely to their destination is revealed to be the god Hermes. Achilles momentarily mistakes Priam for his own father and is...