Lavinia facts for kids

Lavinia is a book written by Ursula K. Le Guin, an American author. It won the Locus Award in 2009. This novel tells the story of Lavinia, a character who was only briefly mentioned in a famous old poem called the Aeneid by Virgil. Le Guin's book focuses on Lavinia's life, especially the parts covered in the last six sections of the Aeneid.

What is the book "Lavinia" about?

The book Lavinia gives a voice to a character who was mostly silent in the original Aeneid. In Virgil's epic poem, Lavinia is a princess in ancient Latium, Italy. She is meant to marry Aeneas, a Trojan hero. This marriage is important for the future of Rome.

However, in the Aeneid, Lavinia does not speak. Ursula K. Le Guin's novel changes this. It lets readers see the world through Lavinia's eyes. The story explores her thoughts, feelings, and choices.

Lavinia's Story

The novel begins with Lavinia as a young woman. She is the daughter of King Latinus and Queen Amata. Her mother wants her to marry Turnus, a local hero. But ancient prophecies say Lavinia must marry a foreigner. This foreigner turns out to be Aeneas.

The book follows Lavinia as she deals with this prophecy. She faces a war that breaks out because of her marriage. She also learns about her own destiny. The story is set in a time when gods and fate played a big role in people's lives.

Why is this book special?

Lavinia is a special kind of book called a parallel novel. This means it tells a new story from the point of view of a minor character from an older, well-known story. Le Guin takes a character who had no voice and gives her a rich inner life.

The book explores themes like:

• Destiny and choice: Can people truly choose their path, or is it all decided by fate?
• Finding your own voice: Lavinia learns to understand herself and her place in the world.
• The power of stories: How different people can tell the same story in new ways.

Who is Ursula K. Le Guin?

Ursula K. Le Guin (1929–2018) was a very famous American writer. She wrote many books for both adults and young readers. She was known for her science fiction and fantasy stories. Her books often explored deep ideas about society, nature, and human behavior.

Le Guin won many awards for her writing. These include the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award, and the Locus Award. Lavinia shows her skill in retelling old myths in new and interesting ways.

Awards and Recognition

Lavinia was published in 2008. It quickly became popular with readers and critics. In 2009, the book won the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. This award is given to the best fantasy book of the year. Winning this award showed how much people appreciated Le Guin's unique take on a classic story.

Images for kids

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  Lavinia from Promptuarii Iconum Insigniorum

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  Lavinia at the Altar (ca. 1565) by Mirabello Cavalori, depicting the moment at which Lavinia's hair blazes as an omen of war but ultimate reconciliation

See also

In Spanish: Lavinia para niños