The First Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha
Encyclopedia
The First Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha is a standalone novel written by Lloyd Alexander
in 1978. It follows the adventures of a young man named Lukas-Kasha who finds himself in another world after paying a street magician to perform a magic trick.
, Shugdad Mirza. Soon Kasha is forced to flee for his life and escapes the palace with the help of a slave girl and a public versifier.
, and The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen.
It received the Silver Pencil Award in 1981, and the Austrian Children's Book Award in 1984.
Lloyd Alexander
Lloyd Chudley Alexander was a widely influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books...
in 1978. It follows the adventures of a young man named Lukas-Kasha who finds himself in another world after paying a street magician to perform a magic trick.
Plot summary
Kasha spends his days playing pranks on the people of Zara-Petra and doing as little work as possible. After participating in a magic show, he finds himself transported to the strange world of Abadan. Upon his arrival to the royal city of Shirazan, he is proclaimed king. At first, Kasha enjoys being royalty, but soon discovers that there is more to being king than eating good food and enjoying his lavish surroundings. When Kasha attempts to take control of his kingdom's laws and policies, he meets with strong opposition from his Grand VizierGrand Vizier
Grand Vizier, in Turkish Vezir-i Azam or Sadr-ı Azam , deriving from the Arabic word vizier , was the greatest minister of the Sultan, with absolute power of attorney and, in principle, dismissable only by the Sultan himself...
, Shugdad Mirza. Soon Kasha is forced to flee for his life and escapes the palace with the help of a slave girl and a public versifier.
Settings
- Zara-Petra: Kasha's home town and where the story begins.
- Abadan: Kasha's kingdom, where most of the story takes place.
- Shirazan: The royal city of Abadan.
- Bishangar: The territory north of Abadan. It used to be an independent kingdom before it was conquered by a previous King of Abadan.
- Jannat al-Khuld: The main city and former capital of Bishangar.
Main characters
- Lukas-Kasha: The hero of the story, a lazy young man turned into a king overnight.
- Nur-Jehan: A Bishangari girl, who Kasha meets while she is enslaved in the Shirazan palace.
- Kayim: A versifier and friend of Kasha.
Other characters
- Shugdad Mirza: Grand Vizier of Abadan.
- Locman: Court AstrologerAstrologerAn astrologer practices one or more forms of astrology. Typically an astrologer draws a horoscope for the time of an event, such as a person's birth, and interprets celestial points and their placements at the time of the event to better understand someone, determine the auspiciousness of an...
who predicted Lukas-Kasha's arrival. - Nahdir Aga: Commander of the Abdanian army.
- Osman: A soldier in the Abdanian army.
- Ardashir: The mysterious king of the Bishangaris.
- Namash: A water seller who comes to Kasha's rescue more than once.
- Shir Khan: An infamous bandit.
- Katir: A dishonest horse trader.
- Haki: A young Bishangari boy who acts a Lukas-Kasha's guide.
Analysis
When classifying his works, Alexander described The First Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha as "unquestionably a fantasy", placing it in the same category as Time Cat, The Chronicles of PrydainThe Chronicles of Prydain
The Chronicles of Prydain is a five-volume series of children's fantasy novels by author Lloyd Alexander...
, and The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen.
It received the Silver Pencil Award in 1981, and the Austrian Children's Book Award in 1984.
External links
- http://www.nndb.com/people/057/000044922/ - Profile of author Lloyd Alexander.
- http://www.sfsite.com/09b/1st41.htm - Review of The First Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha.