The Fourth Beginning by Paul Georgiou - REVIEW
A book review by Victoria Walsh
The Fourth Beginning by Paul Georgiou is a sardonic fantasy novel about Adam and Eve Smith's search for understanding after their daughter's tragic death. Although the book is grief fiction, it isn't misery-lit. Strangely, although the subject is sad, The Fourth Beginning is uplifting and hopeful.
The Smiths' journey takes them through time and space, where they encounter the hectoring Old Testament god or YHWH and Prometheus in true Greek mythology style. If you're into the classics, then this book is for you. If you're dealing with grief and you're a classicist, then the book is a double whammy. Georgiou is clearly fascinated with the concept of significant beginnings in history and mythology. With this in mind, our protagonists explore the universe's beginning, the birth of life, the emergence of human consciousness, and a considerable dose of soul searching.
Travelling in a clapped-out camper van with a host of classical characters (including the not so classic Numpty), the couple faces increasingly dangerous challenges, including battles with an agent of a bureaucratic power determined to thwart their quest. The story is filled with adventures, humour, and reflections on language, thought, and the limitations of traditional religious and scientific views. It’s also full of references to well-known classical mythology such as Theogony, the creation of the world and the rise of the gods, including the Titanomachy (war between the Titans and Olympian gods), Pandora’s Box, a woman created out of beauty and lust who opened a jar releasing all the evils into the world, leaving only hope inside the box.
Classic students and others who enjoy clever writing would do well to read this book; it’s a classical touchstone and a gripping tale. The author’s style is compelling, and how the book is written reminds me of the Percy Jackson series of books by Rick Riordan in the early naughties (2005-2009). I would take a punt that Riordan or the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer inspires Georgiou; one might think that this comparison is slightly obvious, so to add some depth and reach, there is a touch of Jason Hamilton’s tone in the narrative, making The Fourth Beginning a worthy contemporary.
The story has many elements, including a virology lesson; if you want to know about the Ebola Virus, it appears in the story. The geography of the tale is another fascinating and clever twist. The story looks at the psychology of being human, touching on universal feelings such as love, fear, and ambition. Georgiou is hugely creative, which is an enduring trait of a classicist. There’s an element of peril (peril is a must) when our grieving couple meet the Breakers (Who try to persuade Adam and Eve to abandon their quest). A tussle ensues because allowing the Breakers to stop the fourth beginning would be a disaster, to say the least.
The novel culminates in a gripping climax, a will they won’t they situation, situated in a time traveller's version of Hampshire, where the elusive ‘Fourth beginning’ hopefully takes shape. Georgiou's work is thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating, blending fantasy with deep philosophical questions. It’s worth noting that the classics are widely knowledged to be the foundation of Western literature, art and even culture, so by using these references, Georgiou is encouraging the reader to go deeper than the text and look at the moral lessons. He explores themes like hubris, bravery, and justice without making the story too heavy or dull, while the underlying theme seems to be motivational, encouraging the characters and the reader to be forthright, to overcome obstacles and to pursue goals with determination.
Georgiou is a prolific writer whose titles include Adventures in Grammarland, The Devil's Truth, Beyond the Breaking of the Ston, Out of Nothing Something Comes, and The Praesidium (the third and fourth books in "The Truth" quartet, which continue the series' exploration of profound ideas. He also wrote God for the Curious Unbeliever, Adventures in Numberland, and After The Monkey Ate My Cheese - a personal development book, which reads like an updated version of Dr Johnson’s 1998 book, Who Moved My Cheese (Dr J’s book is a favourite of mine).
Maybe Georgiou’s intention is not motivational, educational or an introduction to Greek mythology but just a darn good read. Only he knows if his story is intertwined with ancient history and archaeology or simply a product of his colourful imagination. The Fourth Beginning stands out as a thought-provoking novel. Georgiou's ability to weave complicated and intricate themes with engaging storytelling is top-notch. His characters are well-developed, and the narrative is entertaining and thought-provoking. Whether you're a fan of mythology or just looking for a good read, this book delivers, and some! Georgiou's talent shines through, making this a memorable addition to contemporary literature.
