Holy Fools
by Joanne Harris
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 476)
Read in April, 2007
The only thing that kept me reading this book was I wanted to find out what the big finale LeMerle had planned was. Other than that I found this book a waste of time. I didn't feel there was any substance to it, the characters seemed half-developed and thrown in there, and the mini-mystery was the only thing that kept the book flowing.
Harris's writing was gorgeous, mind you, but a little too much at times. In she writes in sort of a braggart manner, showing off her abilities with words. It's...more
Harris's writing was gorgeous, mind you, but a little too much at times. In she writes in sort of a braggart manner, showing off her abilities with words. It's...more
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Read in June, 2007
Joanne Harris’ Holy Fools is one of those books that I bought on a whim, and probably because Amazon had it used for really cheap. The only reason it was my next read is because I made Mr. Pants pick out a book for me from the rapidly dwindling “to be read” shelf.
It starts out a little slow, but I thought it turned out really well. In fact, I stayed up late last night just to finish it. I think it is well written and sufficiently intricate so that I couldn’t tell you right away wh...more
It starts out a little slow, but I thought it turned out really well. In fact, I stayed up late last night just to finish it. I think it is well written and sufficiently intricate so that I couldn’t tell you right away wh...more
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Read in January, 2008
recommended to Stacy by:
Erinrecommends it for: French gypsies from the Renaissance
One of the reasons I like to read historical fiction set in far away places is I learn about history and far away places. This book doesn't give that satisfaction because instead of doing historical and locational research, the author made stuff up. She sets much of the action in a nunnery on an island near the southern town Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. I've actually been to this town, and there's no island and no nunnery there. I think she was inspired by the island monastary of Mont St. Miche...more
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
fans of historical fiction
"Holy Fools" may not be great literature, but it was an entertaining read. I would've given it 3 1/2 stars if such a rating were possible here. It gave me something to do while my husband left me sitting at the airport alone for an hour and a half. (geeeesh!)
The novel is historical fiction that would appeal to fans of books like "The Other Boleyn Girl" or "Pope Joan". This tale is set in 17th century France. The central character is Soeur Auguste a nun living i...more
The novel is historical fiction that would appeal to fans of books like "The Other Boleyn Girl" or "Pope Joan". This tale is set in 17th century France. The central character is Soeur Auguste a nun living i...more
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Read in November, 2007
This thriller wasn't really thrilling. The only thing that made me keep reading was that I wanted to know if Juliette will be reunited with her daughter Fleur in the end. Although I'm not a mother yet I can understand her loss. In the second part the story condensed and quickened, and therefore became a bit more interesting.
I didn't like the very ending, though. Cannot understand Juliettes decision on the last page.
I must admit that I don't like historic novles much in general, and it's qu...more
I didn't like the very ending, though. Cannot understand Juliettes decision on the last page.
I must admit that I don't like historic novles much in general, and it's qu...more
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A tale for those who understand the desperation of being drawn to someone you hate. A tale of youth and fiery passions, fierce loyalties and betrayal, self-deception and hatred, Holy Fools resonates with me. I understand, I sympahtize even as I mourn Juliette's terrible attraction to the man whom she knows will betray her yet again.
The uncertainty of how the story will go on is heightened by the switching first-person narratives that give hints of motivations, but never knowledge of just ho...more
The uncertainty of how the story will go on is heightened by the switching first-person narratives that give hints of motivations, but never knowledge of just ho...more
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after reading five quarters and chocolat (also by joanne harris), i bought this book expecting another beautifully written storyline. i was greatly disappointed in this particular book. i thought that the characters were not believable, and the story itself was kind of a mess.
i forced myself to finish it, since i don't really like to stop reading a book once i've started, but i didn't care for any of the characters enough to make me want to finish it.
i forced myself to finish it, since i don't really like to stop reading a book once i've started, but i didn't care for any of the characters enough to make me want to finish it.
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Read in June, 2008
We read this one for book club June 2008. I really enjoyed this book. I liked it better than Chocolat. Harris has a great skill for putting words together. I really like the story and the writing style in this book. I gave it only four stars because the end kind of drove me nuts. The main character is suppose to be this really strong female, and she does something in the end that I think was beyond foolish, and maybe not so realistic.
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
people who like stories
I read this book while I was traveling to the 13th century cathedral in Chartres, France. It was a good time to read it. I enjoyed the story and I liked imagining nuns in a convent, and how that situation might be open to interpretation. Forgiveness and pain sort of flutter through this story, and Harris doesn't pull her punches, so everything isn't as it is meant to be, on the surface.
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I loved this book. I reminded me alot of the story of Pope Joan. Same time period in my mind and the darkness and senuality seemed the same. Sometimes I think Joanne Harris's books are a little sexy for me, but then they seem tame compared to some. I really enjoyed reading this book and couldnt put it down. The story was a bit predictable, but I liked the general feel of the book.
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This is the worst book I've ever read. Usually, if a book is this bad I put it down, but it was such a stinker I was intrigued. I wish I had a copy to pull excerpts from. I tortured Matt reading little snippets of this turd aloud. If you're at the library just find this book and flip through it for a giggle or two.
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A great novel of a doomed woman. Juliette is doomed by an attraction to a man who has betrayed her before, and whom she knows will betray her again.
This is set in a fictional island nunnery, and it moves along beautifully, helped by the mystery of just what LaMerle is up to. Really good beach reading.
This is set in a fictional island nunnery, and it moves along beautifully, helped by the mystery of just what LaMerle is up to. Really good beach reading.
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Read in January, 2005
I love this author and this book. Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive. A former traveling carnival woman enters a convent and lives a quiet life of a nun until her old boss shows up pretending to be a priest. She knows something is afoot and that the nunnery is in danger.
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Read in January, 2008
to date, my favorite joanne harris book - and that's saying something. i LOVE this book. it tells a great story at a good pace, you neither feel rushed nor bored. in the span of two pages i went from laughing to crying to laughing again - this is an amazing read, i recommend it to everyone!
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Read in February, 2008
Excellent writing style, as to be expected from this author. Continues to deal with her common themes of foot-loose woman with girl-child eventually settling down to mother-hood and true love of other-wise roguish fellow. Interesting view into convents/holy ecstatics of 17th century.
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Read in January, 2006
I agree with some of the other reviews. I enjoyed it and could not put it down, but not my favorite of hers. some parts became too complicated. she is best when she keeps it more simple. I love how Harris always brings me into whatever world or place she is writing about.
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Read in October, 2005
This book was a disappointment from the start. The story of a woman and her daughter and of the man she they have been trying to forget. The story contains too much magic and trickery for my taste. I did not enjoy it, though I read it hoping it would improve.
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Read in December, 2006
This was not my favorite Harris book, perhaps because it is set centuries ago (and I'm not a fan of that time period). Still, it was compelling, primarily because the characters are so unique, so totally unlike any others, and yet believable.
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Read in July, 2007
Joanne Harris is a great story teller so the book is worth reading for the story. It pales in comparison to her Five Quarters of the Orange or Chocolat, both of which were good stories but also compelling looks at the human condition.
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Read in April, 2007
I enjoyed this story, but it was a little difficult to get into, and I found the supporting characters were less fully developed and less interesting than I would have liked. I do really like Joanne Harris' story telling style.
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