The Jester
by James Patterson, Andrew GrossSign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
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Read in October, 2007
I'm only reading this because I haven't gone to the library recently and it was one of the few fiction books on the shelves that I hadn't read. It's terrible, but yet I keep reading. Morbid curiousity, I guess. It's supposed to take place in France during the Crusades, but the writing style is all wrong for historical fiction and is full of anachronisms and unconvincing slang. There's no emotional depth to any of the characters, and no intricacy to the plot. Patterson has clearly written way too...more
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In an attempt to save his village from further plundering, Hugh de Luc leaves his wife and fellow villagers behind and joins one of the Crusades. He hopes that by fighting alongside the king in the Holy Land, he will win his independence from his Lord Baldwin. The Crusade turns out to be much more than de Luc ever expected and, nearly two years later, he returns home to find his wife and newborn son (whom he never knew existed) were taken from the village and his home as well as many other homes...more
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Read in September, 2008
Without a doubt, this is the worst book I have ever read in my entire life. I mean that, and I’ve read a lot of books. This is worse than The Da Vinci Code in part because it pretends to have done research, while Dan Brown at least admits he writes fluff intentionally.
I saw Morris Bishop’s great book on the Middle Ages in the “Sources”....too bad Mr. Patterson didn’t use it. It would have at least solved his problem with improper titles.
Just for starters here are a few things w...more
I saw Morris Bishop’s great book on the Middle Ages in the “Sources”....too bad Mr. Patterson didn’t use it. It would have at least solved his problem with improper titles.
Just for starters here are a few things w...more
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I'm not a fan of James Patterson. I'm sorry. Maybe I'm just too much of a skeptic. How can he write so many books in so little time? That's my problem with him. Okay? Sorry, JP fans, but there it is. Nonetheless, I absolutely LOVED The Jester and have recommended it to a lot of people. I enjoy reading books that are based around the time of the Crusades. This is also a moving love story as we follow the main character, Hugh, on his quest to get his wife back. The writing is so vivid t...more
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Read in January, 2007
It sounded interesting, and based on Patterson's track record (though I've never read any other books by him) I expected it to be pretty good or at the very least, entertaining.
So much for expectations. This was by far, the most abysmal book I've ever read. Poorly written, severely lacking in details and character development, topped off with ridiculous dialogue. It was juvenile at best. I was cringing the whole way through the book... in fact I really only finished it so that I could critic...more
So much for expectations. This was by far, the most abysmal book I've ever read. Poorly written, severely lacking in details and character development, topped off with ridiculous dialogue. It was juvenile at best. I was cringing the whole way through the book... in fact I really only finished it so that I could critic...more
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Read in September, 2003
As a thriller/suspense genre fan, it is difficult to admit, but, would you believe this is my FIRST (*gasp*) Patterson novel??!
Now, I'm not sure if it is because I had just finished reading another novel set in the middle-ages ("Timeline" by Micheal Crichton),or what, but this author fell short in 'transporting' me to the time period - the language seemed a bit too modern- the stage was not 'set' for me.
Having said that, I DID find the storyline engaging and entertaining, and the ...more
Now, I'm not sure if it is because I had just finished reading another novel set in the middle-ages ("Timeline" by Micheal Crichton),or what, but this author fell short in 'transporting' me to the time period - the language seemed a bit too modern- the stage was not 'set' for me.
Having said that, I DID find the storyline engaging and entertaining, and the ...more
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Read in March, 2004
This is a reasonably well told story about an innkeeper who goes on the Crusades to buy freedom from serfdom for himself and his wife. The story is very slow to open, with the Crusade portions almost enough to make me abandon the book entirely. Once Hugh got back to France, things rolled a little easier storywise. Unfortunately, it has more of a fairy tale feel than historical fiction/thriller, and some of the subplots were completely beyond your normal "suspension of belief". If you'r...more
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I just reviewed Sail, saying it was the first Patterson book I'd read. I was unaware that he had also written Jester. I stand corrected...and Patterson has been redeemed in my eyes. Jester was so great. I cared so much for the characters in that book - and felt as though I was right there with them. Set in the days of knights, kings, and of course, jesters...this was a great story of revenge! After realizing that a story I loved so much was written by James Patterson has now motivated me t...more
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I'm not a fan of James Patterson. I'm sorry. Maybe I'm just too much of a skeptic. How can he write so many books in so little time? That's my problem with him. Okay? Sorry, JP fans, but there it is. Nonetheless, I absolutely LOVED The Jester and have recommended it to a lot of people. I enjoy reading books that are based around the time of the Crusades. This is also a moving love story as we follow the main character, Hugh, on his quest to get his wife back. The writing is so vivid that you don...more
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Read in January, 2004
recommends it for:
james patterson lovers
This is the only James Patterson book I've ever read. I don't often criticize writing styles much, but if it wasn't for some of the content and a few random curse words, I'd think this should be shelved under Intermediate Fiction instead of with the 'adult' books. The story was okay, not bad really. I never really had trouble picking it up and reading it, but I attribute that more to how easy it was to read as opposed to being really drawn in by the storyline. Basically, I'd say this book is...more
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This book was different from other James Patterson books I read. It was not a murder mystery. I really liked it although at moments it was a bit graffic. It was written about a man who went to fight in the crusades and leaving his wife and inn behind. He comes to find her gone when he returns and the story continues from there. I surprizely could not put this book down. I felt for the main character and his heroics in his journey to find his wife and lead his people into battle kept me comp...more
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Read in May, 2008
I think the nicest thing I can say about this book--and possibly all of Patterson's books--is that it would be an excellent book for adult learners (especially male) to cut their reading teeth on. The chapters are short, the sentences are short, there's very few big words, and there's no complexities to the text whatsoever.
But for an adult reading at an adult level, this book is painful.
But for an adult reading at an adult level, this book is painful.
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I've read several of James Patterson's books but this by far is my favorite. It is an interesting historical fiction novel about a jester who gets caught up in the Holy relic craze around the turn of the first century. It is quite a change from his mystery/crime novels but shows he can write in more than one genre. The story is unique, the Jester character lovable and it keeps you guessing throughout. A great summer read.
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Intense, smart, and funny. Patterson blends comedy, drama, and history into "The Jester" in a fast-moving manner. I was thoroughly entertained. Patterson paints a perfect picture of French medieval times and the struggles that came from powerful tyranny. The story is one man's personal fight against war-time injustices. There is tragedy, deception, and revenge all packed into a thrilling story line of love and vindication.
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One of my favorite books ever. It takes place during the time of the crusades and the main charcater is named Hugh who is just a simple peasnt inn keeper. What I love about this book is that it contains all the elemnts i love in a great book. It contains comedy (hence the title), historical fiction, romance, action, adventure, and the underdog overcoming all obstacles to beat all odds.
Counts as 2 books (480 pgs)
Counts as 2 books (480 pgs)
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It took me a whole week to read this, just because it has been a busy week. My mum is on this James Patterson kick and told me to read this one. It would make a cool movie if they did it right. It's aboot a serf dude who joins the crusade, then leaves, and comes home to find his home/wife/child gone/dead and the adventure he goes through to avenge their deaths.
*BFL*
*BFL*
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Patterson often includes portions in his books that I have a hard time digesting. The ideas of what happens to the wife and child in this story are horrible, but the novel is too good to wrap yourself up in your disgust. This hits my top 50 books I've ever read, so make sure you get to the end, even if you want to throw the book across the room.
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This wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be. I thought the storyline was going to be in present day with flashbacks to an earlier period. It's nothing like what JP usually writes, maybe it has to do with the co-author, but I thought it was really good. It was one of the books I had to keep reading to see what was next.
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Read in July, 2005
Rated: PG-13 Violence, Some Adult Themes
One of my favorite books. This is a very Adventurous historical fiction. It's full of clever twists and turns and includes some romance. If you want a book that pulls you through a range of emotions. This is the book to do it. It is one of the few books that I have read more than once.
One of my favorite books. This is a very Adventurous historical fiction. It's full of clever twists and turns and includes some romance. If you want a book that pulls you through a range of emotions. This is the book to do it. It is one of the few books that I have read more than once.
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Read in January, 2008
recommended to Jamie by:
my motherrecommends it for: Anne
A man in medieval France goes on a quest to find his kidnapped wife. This story was excellent and quite different from his other books. There were a few parts where I nearly cried. Patterson is a very talented writer and I wish that he would write more of this type of historical novel rather than his mystery-thrillers.
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