There are books … and then there is literature. The Seeker is literature.
The Seeker is an elegantly written book, evocative of a time when narrative is not pared down to the basics but is filled with beautiful phrasing, vivid descriptions and deep introspection with the protagonist, Amitayus undergoing a transformative catharsis.
The beauty of Dominick Domingo’s prose is even more heightened by his narration of this fine example of literature. I highly recommend getting both the audiobook and either the ebook or softcover. I spent many enjoyable hours reading the book whilst simultaneously listening to the audiobook. It is extraordinary to listen to the narration by the author and experience the words the way the author intended.
Now, beyond the aesthetics and sheer elegance of the narrative lies a story of epic proportions reminiscent of the tales of ancient Greek mythology. The protagonist, Amitayus, loses his mother at a tender age. One day, by the sea, she simply disappears. But he hears her beckoning him.
His childhood is tainted by the knowledge that he is the progeny of a rape, and he is unable to deal with the horror that his mortal father, Jakkobah, had violated his mother, the goddess, Dianora. This early childhood trauma causes him to lose faith in the old gods; he believes in none, rejecting his demi-god status as fictitious.
Once old enough, Amitayus embarks on a journey to find his mother. Is she in fact dead, or has she returned home to be with the gods? Zeus is displeased by the unholy union which produced Amitayus and is responsible for many of the trials which Amitayus faces during his journey. Temptation, loss of love, financial loss, war and physical hardships strip the protagonist of all he knows until that transformative moment when his self-discovery is complete.
This is a story I will read periodically since it is layered with exquisite imagery and philosophy. I highly recommend this book.