The fifth in the First-born of Egypt sequence takes us back to the Mediterranean (Raven can't stay away from Greece for long, however hard he tries). Fielding Gray and the disgraced Jeremy Morrison are sent off to redeem themselves by retracing the last voyage of Odysseus in search of the Islands of the Blest. Meanwhile, Lancaster College has yet another Provost to elect -- the third since the beginning of Alms for Oblivion, each with a different undemocratic trick...

The epic struggle between the forces of good and evil for the control of Marius's soul continues, but Raisley Conyngham still seems to be winning. This time, the big scene at the novel's climax alludes, bizarrely enough, to Hermann Broch. ( )