A tale of madness, obsession and hubris, this fictionalisation of Schliemann’s discovery of Troy is a real treat.  Ackroyd delves into the depths of the obsessive mind, following the excavations of the German archaeologist Herr Obermann as he strives to find the remains of Troy.  Cunning and manipulative, Obermann is always ready to ensure that his helpers find what he expects to find, rather than what is there.  Alongside the story of the excavation runs the tale of Obermann’s relationship with his young Greek wife, Sophia, who gradually begins to understand that her husband has more secrets than he is willing to admit, and that his whole enterprise is pushing him perilously close to the edge of sanity.

Buy the book