I read in the Author's Note that Piers Anthony wrote Phthor because he wanted to get Chthon back into print. As such there was a seven year gap between the writing of the two novels. Perhaps this explains why much of the first half of Phthor has so many explanations and elaborations of the previous novel's (back) story. Here though, Anthony seems to employ a mirror image technique, while keeping the storyline linear. What I like best are the big questions the novel raises, such as what is Good and what is Evil, as well as how different cultures react to the others' cultural norms. While the book does use mythology for a touchstone (see below), I couldn't help but think of the quote regarding the sins of the fathers being visited on the sons. It also does well with moving the story along, especially with the desire to see how this all turns out. This despite the book, sounding rather too often like a soap opera since the guiding principle in most of the human male characters seems to begin and end in their groin. True to life to a certain extent, but in such a condensed fashion that comparison to a soap opera would apt in parts. Also, while Anthony referenced Greek mythology in Chthon, here seems to tack on Norse mythology and follows it through with somewhat of an obsession. If there had been some inkling of this course in the first book, that would have been more understandable (and cool), but in this case it seemed more like casting about for another myth structure that would fit the story he wanted to tell.All that said, I really did like the novel, the four star rating it earned being a bit of a surprise, even to me. I understand that Anthony has since allowed another writer (Charles Platt) two write two additional books in the same universe. I, however, am content with Anthony's original duology. (As a side note, I can't think of any other series off the top of my head that only has two books in it.)
Phthor was told very differently that Chthon was. While Chthon bounced around between different timelines and different places, Phthor was a lot more linear staying with Arlo, the son of Aton, in the caverns of Chthon. Some of the things mentioned in Chthon were so new to me that they left me kind of confused or feeling as though I'd just begun to understand by the time the book was finishing. It was nice to come back to it in Phthor and get to see those things with more understanding and to have them expanded upon further. Many of the things I wasn't clear on from reading Chthon became clear to me in Phthor.As always Piers provides an interesting story, in a unique world, with dynamic characters. Spending time with Piers is always a pleasure and Phthor was no exception.
What do You think about Phthor (2000)?
Still good, but I didn't like it quite as much as Chthon. The obsession with creating parallels to Norse mythology was simply a bit much. Considering the previous book, it comes out of nowhere. Of much more interest was the exploration of the minion society. Though repulsive in many aspects, I found the reversal of love and hate in their society very interesting. How do a people live when true love can kill and only normally inimical levels of loathing are the deepest signs of affection? That is the minion way.
—Nicholas
