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The Illuminator (The Illuminator #1)

3.63 of 5 stars 3.63 · rating details · 2,487 ratings · 279 reviews

It is England, in the late fourteenth century, a time when the old feudal order is starting to crack, but the whim of a lord or the pleasure of a bishop still has the power to seal nearly anyone's fate. The printing press has yet to be invented; books are rare and costly, painstakingly lettered and illuminated with exquisite paintings.

For Lady Kathryn of Blackingham Manor,...more

Paperback, 406 pages

Published December 27th 2005 by St. Martin's Griffin (first published 2004)

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May 17, 2008 Andrea Karotkin rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 18, 2008 Cenoura do Lado rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2006, all

Review from ceruleana (Manhattan, NY) at amazon.uk:

At the end of the fourteenth century, England was riddled with plagues, wars, uprisings, and political and religious strife. King Richard II, son of Edward the Black Prince, was crowned in 1377, when he was just ten years-old. His two uncles, John of Gaunt, and Thomas of Glouster, vied for power during the Protectorate, the young King's minority. Meanwhile all Christianity was suffering through the Great Schism. Pope Boniface VIII and King Phili...more Review from ceruleana (Manhattan, NY) at amazon.uk:

At the end of the fourteenth century, England was riddled with plagues, wars, uprisings, and political and religious strife. King Richard II, son of Edward the Black Prince, was crowned in 1377, when he was just ten years-old. His two uncles, John of Gaunt, and Thomas of Glouster, vied for power during the Protectorate, the young King's minority. Meanwhile all Christianity was suffering through the Great Schism. Pope Boniface VIII and King Philip the Fair of France seriously quarreled, to put it mildly, about Church tithing and taxation. Finally, Boniface declared the primacy of the Church over secular authorities, the superiority of Popes over kings. Ultimately this resulted in two Popes, one in France and one in Rome. The Church, which had tremendous power in England, wanted to acquire more wealth through tithing. The monarchy wished to tax the Church's considerable property, and institute an additional poll tax on the people. As always, the poor were penalized most. Almost a century before, in 1297, a mob of villagers and serfs burned out a group of Benedictine monks who withheld spiritual services, including the Eucharist, pending offerings they could not afford. Now the peasants were ready to revolt against the latest tax approved by John of Gaunt.

In Oxford, English theologian and reformer John Wycliffe criticized the Church's abuses and false teachings. As the novel begins, he is working on an English translation of the Bible - the first European translation done in over 1,000 years. Since the printing press had not been invented yet, only the wealthy had access to the hand printed, beautifully illuminated copies of the Bible. "The Word" was written in Latin, or in Norman French, and the poor, and most women of all classes, did not study languages nor could they read. Wycliffe, backed by John of Gaunt, believed that everyone should have access to Holy Scripture - that God is not something the clergy had a right to keep for their exclusive use. These beliefs were considered heretic. As the author, Brenda Rickman Vantrease stresses, heresy was not the real issue here - the acquisition of power and wealth were. This was purely "a matter of alliances and appearances," and of mass political and spiritual oppression.

Finn, a master illuminator, works for the Church, decorating hand-written pages of scripture with gloriously painted miniature works of art. He is presently illuminating writings of the apostle John for the powerful Abbott of Broomholm. Finn is also secretly employed by Wycliffe, whom he does not charge, to illustrate his English translation. One of the Broomholm Abbey's more venal priests pressures Lady Kathryn of Blackingham Manor to give the artist and his daughter lodgings. She is afraid of the consequences if she does not agree. Recently widowed, with twin fifteen year-old sons to support, as well as her serfs and villagers, Lady Katheryn has little money left to give to the Church, let alone to feed and clothe her family, and pay taxes and tithes. Fearing for her sons' inheritance, she makes a place at her manor for Finn and his daughter. Her decision to do so will change the course of her life, and the lives of all who depend on her.

This is a richly textured novel, filled with a multitude of colorful images, sounds, smells, events, and human stories which portray the pageantry and the cruelty of English life in the Middle Ages. The narrative also homes in on one particular noble family, and their dependents, illustrating the workings of feudal life up close and personal. Ms. Vantrease explores, through her narrative, the feudal system with an emphasis on the roles of various members of medieval society and their place in the social hierarchy. She also looks at the role of religion and that of the Church, as well as man's greed for wealth and the acquisition of personal power. There are also wonderful descriptions of the illuminating process.

"The Illuminator" is peopled with a resplendent cast of characters and their interactions with family, friends, lovers, servants, and enemies, are revealed in the narrative. Obviously, there's Finn the Illuminator, and his lovely young Rose; Lady Katheryn; her twin sons Colin and Alfred; Half-Tom, a dwarf and a hero; Hugh Despenser, the greedy, corrupt Bishop of Norwich; Sir Guy de Montaigne, the Sheriff of Norwich, who is intent on marrying Katheryn for her land; Julian of Norwich, an anchoress filled with love and compassion, who has dedicated her life to God and to reveal Him to those who seek her out; the evil overlord Simpson; John Ball a charismatic peasant priest who preaches for "ecclesiastical poverty and social equality" for clergy; and so many others. The author really brings these individuals to life on the page, with all their foibles and complexities - she illuminates them. (less)

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Jan 16, 2013 Cami rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: no one

Shelves: historic-fiction, chick-lit

Honestly, it is hard to review this book. I'll start by first saying that the best thing that came out of it was that it caused me to look at the Book of John from the New Testament on it's own merit and not just as a part of "The Gospels."
The Illuminator is a man who has the artistic gift that Bishops and other clergy-men would pay a high price to have illuminate (or embellish with art) their biblical texts.
There were too many modern attitudes that didn't fit the century depicted here. The rela...more

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Jan 22, 2008 Carina rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Teenagers who'd like a taste of historical fiction without too much 'content' to offend or challenge

While the book begins with promise and develops a fairly interesting narrative, it degenerates into a mess of quickly tied up story lines. So many of the characters had such promise, for instance the scullery maid who sees auras, that when the promise isn't realized, it's quite disappointing. My eyes rolled at the epilogue. I found several modern ideas in the book that were anachronistic. Having read the Follet books (Pillars of the Earth, etc.) recently, I couldn't help but compare this medieva...more

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Oct 14, 2007 April rated it 2 of 5 stars

I listened to this one on CD and although I really liked some aspects of it and found it historically interesting, it was just too predictible and seemed like everything had to go wrong for everyone just to show the difficult times. I don't know how much of that is the plotline and writing and how much of it is my bias. It's also quite wordy and took some time to really get into it. Wouldn't recommend it to anyone that doesn't absolutely love this period in history and very sad and sensational d...more

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Nov 15, 2012 Vicki rated it 4 of 5 stars

Set in 14th century England, this compelling tale takes readers to a socially dark period in time. Both the hierarchy of the Church and the aristocracy protected by the king terribly misuse and oppress the poor, who have almost no rights. This is the time of the translator John Wycliffe whose mission it is to translate scripture into the language of the people. The established church feels very much threatened by his work, as it sees the potential to loosen the stranglehold they have on the mass...more Set in 14th century England, this compelling tale takes readers to a socially dark period in time. Both the hierarchy of the Church and the aristocracy protected by the king terribly misuse and oppress the poor, who have almost no rights. This is the time of the translator John Wycliffe whose mission it is to translate scripture into the language of the people. The established church feels very much threatened by his work, as it sees the potential to loosen the stranglehold they have on the masses whose tithes enrich the coffers of the Church.

At the same time the King is increasing the frequency and numbers of taxes collected to support wars and a lavish life style for the wealthy class.

Into this story steps Finn, a talented illustrator. This is the time prior to the invention of the printing press, so Finn's ability to illustrate the Church-sanctioned Latin text handwritten by monks in monasteries assures him of a steady income. On the side, however, he sympathizes with John Wycliffe's passion for providing a holy text that the common man can read for himself, and so is illustrating Wycliffe's pages as well.

Kathryn is a widow of a knight with two teen aged twin sons. She owns a manor which she inherited from her father. She is finding it difficult to make ends meet, what with an untrustworthy overlord in her employ and the constant calls for tithes from the church and taxes from the king. She is open therefore, to housing Finn, the Illuminator and his beautiful young daughter when the church officials offer to pay her for providing their rooms and board.

Before long romance blooms between the widow and widower, and unnoticed by them, between one of her sons and his daughter. Finn's unorthodox beliefs frighten Kathryn, as she tries to walk a fine line between offending the Church or the King by expressing any opinion that could be used against her. The oily sheriff of the village has his eyes on Kathryn, knowing that if they were to marry he would be enriched instantly with the additional lands and income which Kathryn's property provides. Her goal is to protect her sons' inheritance at all costs, and in the end she pays dearly.

This is a good story with several strong female characters who must work to survive harsh circumstances with no "safety net" at all. The men who hold positions of power have all been corrupted by the power and quest for wealth. The only church officials whose characters have not been corrupted are female.

Finn is a good man hiding an enormous secret and it is a secret that, once revealed, threatens to tear his relationship with Kathryn asunder. (less)

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Jul 17, 2012 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: cannonball-4

I received The Illuminator from my trusty friend with the reading materials and she told me nothing of the plot except that I would love it, be ridiculously angry with it, and that it was set in the 14th century. This is not a lot to go on, but I knew that illuminators were the lovely lads who painted all the detail work into those beautiful manuscripts the monks were busy copying. So, I jumped right in.

She was correct on all three counts. I did love it. I loved it enough to keep reading it alth...more

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Mar 04, 2011 Deb rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, fiction, religious, history

Set in Britain in the 14th century. I adored the bits of history intertwined with the lives of, what to me were very compelling and believable characters. Lady Katherine is trying to keep her household estate of Blackinham together, which is not easy as a widow. The church officials keep coming to demand more money, and the state keeps levying taxes. She has the future of her 15 year old twin sons to consider, so when more income in the form of a boarder and his daughter is offered to her she ac...more

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Nov 04, 2010 Mckinley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, women, novel

This was a fun and fascinating book to read. Plus, I couldn't resist reading a historical novel from a former librarian. I like historical fiction. However, I am often left wondering if the descriptions in a book could really depict what life was like in the past. (I found some of the ideas a bit modern.) Nevertheless, this book gave me a good idea about life set in 14th century England.

The time period is a fascinating one, serfs and nobles alike are caught in king vs.church struggle for control...more

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Jun 18, 2010 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2007, audio, england, historical-fiction, religion, romance, medieval, favorite

Set in 14th century England this book is at once a fascinating history lesson, a story of love and betrayal and the consequences of duty.

Lady Kathryn of Blackingham is newly widowed and desperate to hold onto to her lands as a legacy to her sons. Hoping to secure some protection from the all powerful church, Kathryn takes in an illuminator, Finn, who is working on an illustrated copy of the abbot’s newest bible. He brings to live with him his daughter Rose, and also danger, because unbeknownst t...more

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Aug 05, 2009 Marvin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: religion

By most of my standards, this is not a very good book, but it certainly made me want to read & keep reading--it's a real page turner. Set around 1380 near Norwich, England, with John Wycliffe & Julian of Norwich as significant background figures, it features a widowed noble lady (and her twin 15-year-old sons) and a widowed illuminator (one who creates artwork for manuscripts) and his 15-year-old daughter. The main characters are all heroic, good, honest, & true to the core (though t...more

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Jan 14, 2009 Rachel rated it 1 of 5 stars

Call me snooty, but this book is, to me, a great example of a book's popularity and its quality being completely at odds. This book was a national bestseller, and I could not bring myself to keep reading after the first 100 pages of the novel. Other than the (really, quite compelling) underlying plot concerning the translation of the Bible into English, just about everything else in the book (characters, relationships, etc.) felt artificial and anachronistic. Think modern-day soap opera set in 1...more

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May 01, 2012 Garnette rated it 4 of 5 stars

Three reasons: Arledge is a name from Norwich, England. Our family genealogist found several in the 14th Century there, so I was delighted to find this novel. According to the novel, the name may be a French Norman derivative.

Other reason I gave the book four stars is that I was fascinated with all the gritty details of daily life the author wove into the plot. As well as my favorite English mystic -- not too hard to write that, not sure I know many others except of course THE POETS -- Julian o...more Three reasons: Arledge is a name from Norwich, England. Our family genealogist found several in the 14th Century there, so I was delighted to find this novel. According to the novel, the name may be a French Norman derivative.

Other reason I gave the book four stars is that I was fascinated with all the gritty details of daily life the author wove into the plot. As well as my favorite English mystic -- not too hard to write that, not sure I know many others except of course THE POETS -- Julian of Norwich. She was pre-Anglican, pre-Henry VIII, so Roman Catholic, but not a nun, an anchorite, anchored to the church.

Julian, the name ascribed to her probably not her name at all but the church where she was wise spiritual director and mystic, walled into a cell attached to the modest church of St. Julian (a pope). Julian is best known for her theology of God as a loving mother. Somehow not heresy in her adroit language but of the deep loving kindness she experienced in visions of the Easter story. She wrote of the metaphor of the hazelnut, so tiny, yet so loved.

And all will be well.

You may know that teaching. Well, Vantrease manages to tell a story where practically nothing goes well. A dark, ugly, mean time for people, animals and places, 14th century Europe - England. Yet the author skillfully weaves Julian throughout the fiction inter-relating landowner, cook, eel-fisher, artist, clergy, solider, monk. It's a bit of Robin Hood without the glamour; some history, romance and biblical illumination techniques. I respect the sweep of the novel, giving me a full fictionalize picture of how my ancestors may have survived those times. They had to wily, for sure. Danger, disease, ignorance, superstition, bad food, worse storage -- vividly portrayed but not off putting. Interesting. I don't race through a dark book - hardly can stand to read them. But Vantrease, perhaps thanks to her love of Julian, enticed me through the whole novel in four days. While I was busy finishing writing a play: first draft, needed breaks and change of pace. I recommend this book to all 2500 Arledges Pam Wilson has found. And everybody else who likes English genre, medieval historical fiction. (less)

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Jan 16, 2010 Irene rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Irene by: Ken's dad

Shelves: fiction

If half-stars were allowed, I'd have given this book 2 1/2 stars. The fact that it held my interest makes it more than "ok", but I wouldn't exactly say I "liked" it.

To be fair, I don't think I'm the target audience for this book. The back cover has glowing praise from authors I don't know. (I assume they write novels in the same genre.) It's historical fiction, which I have nothing against, but I'm just usually not interested in such books (or movies). If I'm going to read about history, I pref...more If half-stars were allowed, I'd have given this book 2 1/2 stars. The fact that it held my interest makes it more than "ok", but I wouldn't exactly say I "liked" it.

To be fair, I don't think I'm the target audience for this book. The back cover has glowing praise from authors I don't know. (I assume they write novels in the same genre.) It's historical fiction, which I have nothing against, but I'm just usually not interested in such books (or movies). If I'm going to read about history, I prefer non-fiction.

At the end of the book, there's a two-page Author's Note that explains the historical context of the book, including the fact that some of the characters were real people. I wish I had read the Author's Note first, before reading the book; knowing that some of the characters were real might have made the book more interesting to me. Indeed, during my reading, I did not give enough credit to one character, Julian, because I kept thinking that she wasn't entirely believable; come to find, she was an actual person!

Overall, I did not find the book's characters very compelling. I liked Kathryn, a main character, but didn't get enough of my two favorites - Agnes, the cook, and Magda, the girl she took in, both secondary characters. Finn, the "illuminator" (illustrator) for whom the book is named, was wholly uninteresting to me. Also, the three younger-generations characters were all too one-dimensional: a beautiful and pure daughter, a gentle and devout son, and a spirited and hot-headed son.

The story progressed like a soap opera, except everything is predictable. Just when I would think that there was an opportunity for a twist, or at least some suspense, the author would, without delay, tell me what happened next, which was usually exactly what I thought would happen.

The only part that was unpredictable was the ending, and not necessarily in a good way. I was disappointed in the way the book ended for almost all the characters, save a couple. For some, it seemed like the author chose to easily tie up a loose end just before it might actually develop into something interesting. Still, I have to admit, I have to give credit to the author for writing the unexpected.

I was not too keen on the author's penchant for using questions, posed either by the third-person narrator or by a character, as an internal thought. For example, instead of saying, "This blanket is red," she might say, "Is this blanket not red?"

Finally, I must say that I did appreciate the discussion of religion for the masses that served as part of the backdrop. Being set just before the Reformation, fear of the Church or of the King hid behind almost everything that occurred. And, it was a gentle reminder that we should not take our 21st century freedoms for granted.

Overall, a diverting read, if not engaging.(less)

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Apr 30, 2012 Carla rated it 2 of 5 stars

Bem já há muito tempo que não apanhava um livro como este.
No inicio gostei bastante pois fez-me recordar um pouco "Os Pilares da Terra" mas rápido cheguei à conclusão que não passava disso mesmo uma "pequena" história passada na época medieval ( e só por isso fez me ler o livro ate ao fim).
Acontece que é uma história pobre sem grande enredo, simples. As personagens são pouco desenvolvidas a ponto de não nutrirmos qualquer sentimento por elas.
Um livro chato de 500 pp,( oq ue poderia ler metade) p...more

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Aug 23, 2009 Rick rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was another of those books where my wife is going to read it for book club and I have nothing else to read so I pick it up. It's a historical fiction about a time period that I find interesting (the middle ages). The book portrays a generally noble class of family through a struggle between the ingrained religious culture and rights which had become corrupted and the awakening of religious fervor for the truth. In that sense the book is an interesting read and the characters are well develo...more

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Jun 13, 2011 Sariah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Finally! An historical fiction that wasn't full of details of war (which constantly bog me down and makes me take forever to finish the dang book). This was great story telling. Vantrease managed to successfully weave the fictional characters with historical figures/characters seamlessly and give the historical ones real life. I felt that there were almost too many minor characters with very interesting backstories... I wanted to know more about all of them! I'd rather be able to focus on just a...more

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Aug 07, 2011 Ellen Ekstrom rated it 5 of 5 stars

I started to read this book when it was first launched, put it down and forgot about it - don't know why! This was an amazing story that, two days after finishing it, I'm still thinking about the characters and the great story. Christian Mythos, Historical Theology is my area of concentration and this story about the Lollard Movement in late 14th century England was fascinating, especially when the general public just assumes the reformation was started in England by Henry VIII's divorce of Cath...more

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Jun 13, 2012 Loraine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Well, what to say? I enjoyed the historic background immensely. Vantrease brought the seething unrest of 1380s England to life, a time when corruption in the Catholic Church is nearly as profound as the political unrest as aristocrats align themselves with one faction or another either in support of or in opposition to the child king. Wycliffe and the Lollards add to the unrest by provoking a religious crisis with their belief that all English people, whether vellein or lord, should be able to r...more

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Mar 03, 2011 Cindy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, book-club

Good historical romance though more graphic violence than sex, taking place in England during the first stirrings of the Reformation. The Church and state bleed the peasants dry. The feudal system can't last. 4 real life characters are in the background. John Wycliffe was the first to translate the Bible into English. Julian of Norwich is an anchoress (lives locked in a hut next to the church) and is the first woman to write int he English language.

Finn was the the illuminator of sacred texts wh...more

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Jan 18, 2009 Emily rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

This novel begins with an interesting story line and intriguing characters and is set during an interesting time in English history. Even with all the novel has going for it at the outset, my final impression was one of disappointment. I can appreciate tragic elements, but this novel borders on melodramatic...to the point that (at times) it reads like a soap opera on paper. Some of the minor characters are completely superfluous and seem to be inserted into the story because of their contributio...more

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Jun 06, 2010 C.W. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Brenda Rickman Vantrese's debut novel is an unsentimental, vivid immersion into the tumult and struggle of 14th century England, featuring an indomitable but flawed widow fighting to safeguard her sons' inheritance, a conflicted translator and illuminator of religious manuscripts who hides a secret, as well as an assortment of other characters who reflect both the differences in class and wealth of the era, including an anchorite, dwarf, a stalwart housekeeper, and a rapacious bishop.

Vantrese's...more

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Jul 17, 2010 Gaile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 14th-century

I spent all day Sunday reading this book. Although I did know books were copied and painted by hand In 1379, I didn't know the Bible was already being translated into English this early. There were some people who knew too much and John Wycliffe was one of them.
He sneaked his writings to an Illuminator named Finn who painted the borders and letters.
All the character in this book are affected by the "heretic" writings of Wycliffe although the man himself only appears in the first chapter.
Filled...more

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Sep 23, 2007 Aiesha rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is one of my favorite books. I love the time in history that is covered (when John Wyclif wrote the first Bible in the vernacular in England) and loved the main character. She was resilient at a time when women had no rights.

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Jan 25, 2013 Patricia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Even as I read this book, I would think 'this doesn't sound right' or some glaring detail would catch my eye and would be annoyed. So why four stars? I keep thinking about this book. I loved all the details, and I loved the texture - the roads that are muddied, pitted and dried so it takes you a long time to walk even a half mile on the road, the details of managing a minor estate, the controversies. It's a book about transitional times, and people are dying for the great heresy of translating t...more

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Aug 20, 2011 Mirah W rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Illuminator was an excellent read! Wonderful characters and believeable circumstances. I think Vantrease did a great job intertwining the lives of real and fictional characters. In a discussion with the author, Vantrease acknowledges that two of her characters were not initially intended and ended up taking roles she had not expected...and I think these are the two best characters in the book: sweet Magda and loyal Half-Tom. These two characters take on key roles and, without their actions,...more

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Jan 31, 2008 Katie Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Bible enthusiasts and those who like historical fiction

Christians forget that the Bible was not available to the mass market for many many years. This novel tells about the start of the John Wycliffe movement that changed the face of Christianity forever.

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Jun 21, 2010 Kim Hay rated it 3 of 5 stars

It is England, in the fourteenth century, and the old feudal order is starting to crack but the whim of a lord or the pleasure of a bishop can still seal nearly anyone's fate. For Lady Kathryn of Blackingham Manor, a widow desperately trying to safeguard her holdings, it is a time made both sweeter and more dangerous by the arrival of Finn, a master illuminator who is lodged at Blackingham by the Church but is secretly working on a forbidden English translation of the Bible. As their hesitant fr...more

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May 10, 2007 Stacey rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Most

Shelves: booksivereadandloved

Historical fiction the way it should be. A strong sense of time and place with characters both distant and entirely relatable in their passions. Ultimately sad, poignant and redemptive.

1 like · like · see review

Dec 13, 2011 Larrullo rated it 2 of 5 stars

The writing was good, the subject matter very interesting to me...but the author completely ruined the book for me by involving every main character in immoral behaviors (completely unrealistic given the time and religious climate to boot)within the first 100 pages. The book seemed to have great potential until it turned into not much more than a cheap romance written with better writing skills.

The other downside for me was that the writer had only thinly masked political and religious opinions...more

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About Brenda Rickman Vantrease

Brenda Rickman Vantrease (born in 1945) is a former librarian and English teacher from Nashville, Tennessee. She grew up and was educated in the Middle Tennessee area where she graduated with a B.A. in English from Belmont University in 1967. During the twenty-five years she served as an educator in Nashville, she earned a masters degree and a doctorate from Middle Tennessee State University. Bren...more

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