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The Illuminator
It is England, in the late fourteenth century, a time when the whim of a lord or the pleasure of a bishop can seal nearly anyone's fate. The printing press has yet to be invented. Books, written only in Latin or Norman French, are rare and costly, painstakingly lettered and illuminated with exquisite paintings---far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
But there are cracks in the old feudal order---and in the absolute power of the Church. Finn is a master illuminator who works not only for the Church but also, in secret, for the heretical Oxford cleric John Wycliffe. Under the nose of the powerful Abbot of Broomholm, Finn illuminates pages for Wycliffe---an English translation of the Bible, meant to bring the word of God to the masses. And Finn has another secret, one that will lead both himself and his beloved daughter into ever-increasing peril.
Lady Kathryn, the mistress of Blackingham Manor, is a widow who finds herself caught between the King's taxes and the Church's tithes. To protect her sons' inheritance, she strikes a bargain with the abbot---Kathryn will take in the illuminator and his daughter, and gain the monastery's protection. What begins as a hesitant friendship between Finn and Lady Kathryn grows into a passionate alliance that touches off a chain of betrayals, tragedies, and unexpected acts of heroism.
Richly detailed and irresistibly compelling, The Illuminator is a glorious novel of love, art, religion, and treachery at an extraordinary turning point in history.
But there are cracks in the old feudal order---and in the absolute power of the Church. Finn is a master illuminator who works not only for the Church but also, in secret, for the heretical Oxford cleric John Wycliffe. Under the nose of the powerful Abbot of Broomholm, Finn illuminates pages for Wycliffe---an English translation of the Bible, meant to bring the word of God to the masses. And Finn has another secret, one that will lead both himself and his beloved daughter into ever-increasing peril.
Lady Kathryn, the mistress of Blackingham Manor, is a widow who finds herself caught between the King's taxes and the Church's tithes. To protect her sons' inheritance, she strikes a bargain with the abbot---Kathryn will take in the illuminator and his daughter, and gain the monastery's protection. What begins as a hesitant friendship between Finn and Lady Kathryn grows into a passionate alliance that touches off a chain of betrayals, tragedies, and unexpected acts of heroism.
Richly detailed and irresistibly compelling, The Illuminator is a glorious novel of love, art, religion, and treachery at an extraordinary turning point in history.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
145 people are currently reading
7881 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Rickman Vantrease
5 books105 followersBrenda 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. Brenda still resides in Nashville with her husband of 31 years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 474 reviews
June 7, 2010
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 strengths lie in her superb grasp of the era as seen through her various characters and her understanding of the depth and complexity of spirituality to people striving to overcome everyday suffering. This is not your average romanticized or sanitized historical recreation; Vantrese has crafted an astonishing tale whose utter lack of anachronism will transport the reader to a time both fascinating and repellent in its contradictions. Superb and uncompromising, THE ILLUMINATOR is destined to become a classic in the genre.
Vantrese's strengths lie in her superb grasp of the era as seen through her various characters and her understanding of the depth and complexity of spirituality to people striving to overcome everyday suffering. This is not your average romanticized or sanitized historical recreation; Vantrese has crafted an astonishing tale whose utter lack of anachronism will transport the reader to a time both fascinating and repellent in its contradictions. Superb and uncompromising, THE ILLUMINATOR is destined to become a classic in the genre.
January 22, 2008
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 medieval tale with those, and found that The Illuminator fell well short of its potential.
January 14, 2009
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 14th-century England. I do not require a novel to be full of characters who make perfect choices (that would hardly make for interesting reading) but the best characters are those with realistic flaws who are engaged in a struggle--be that a struggle for redemption, understanding, or even greed or power. The characters in The Illuminator had vices that seemed designed for the sole purpose of constructing a medieval boddice-ripper with little redeeming value.
So yes, I do not recommend this book. Marginal writing, melodramatic characters...not good enough for me to finish. I will typically give a book a good third of its length to persuade me to finish. After that, all bets are off. There are just too many great books out there for me to waste my time!
So yes, I do not recommend this book. Marginal writing, melodramatic characters...not good enough for me to finish. I will typically give a book a good third of its length to persuade me to finish. After that, all bets are off. There are just too many great books out there for me to waste my time!
November 20, 2017
This is a story of two main fictional characters, Finn and Lady Kathryn, woven with four historical figures: John Wycliffe, Sister Julian of Norwich, John Ball, and Bishop Henry Despenser. “Henry Despenser is best remembered as the ‘warring bishop’ for the bloody and violent manner in which he put down the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. (…) He is also remembered for having made a gift of a five-paneled altarpiece, known as the Despenser retable, or Despenser reredos…” Which in the story are made by the master illuminator (fictional aspect).
In the late 14th century, the abuse of clergy sets Oxford cleric John Wycliffe to turn against the Church. His followers are called Lollards, spreading across England.
Finn is a master illuminator who works not only for the Church, but also, in secret, for the heretical Wycliffe translating Bible into English in order to be understood by masses. While he works for the powerful Abbot of Broomholm, the lodgings for him and his daughter are arranged at Lady Kathryn’s Blackingham Manor.
Lady Kathryn is a widow who is caught between the King’s taxes and Church’s tithes. Her deteriorating situation forces her to agree to the arrangement. A relationship develops between her and Finn, which takes unexpected turns.
Anchoress, Sister Julian, is introduced to pamphlets written by Wycliffe and encouraged by Finn to put her Revelations on paper and write them in English, not Latin, in order to be understood by masses.
The pages are filled with deep thoughts of those characters and with rich historical details making this book a very engaging and fascinating read. The period of Church’s power and its abuse, with peasants’ revolt building up by oppression are well-presented.
@Facebook: Best Historical Fiction
In the late 14th century, the abuse of clergy sets Oxford cleric John Wycliffe to turn against the Church. His followers are called Lollards, spreading across England.
Finn is a master illuminator who works not only for the Church, but also, in secret, for the heretical Wycliffe translating Bible into English in order to be understood by masses. While he works for the powerful Abbot of Broomholm, the lodgings for him and his daughter are arranged at Lady Kathryn’s Blackingham Manor.
Lady Kathryn is a widow who is caught between the King’s taxes and Church’s tithes. Her deteriorating situation forces her to agree to the arrangement. A relationship develops between her and Finn, which takes unexpected turns.
Anchoress, Sister Julian, is introduced to pamphlets written by Wycliffe and encouraged by Finn to put her Revelations on paper and write them in English, not Latin, in order to be understood by masses.
The pages are filled with deep thoughts of those characters and with rich historical details making this book a very engaging and fascinating read. The period of Church’s power and its abuse, with peasants’ revolt building up by oppression are well-presented.
@Facebook: Best Historical Fiction
June 28, 2016
Readable, with flaws. I think this became so popular in the US because the 14th century isn't taught here anymore (except "plague!") below upper level college history courses.
The Illuminator is a moderately-well-researched, modestly well-presented novel of 14th century England at a time when what would eventually become the Reformation was being birthed. Vantrease attempts to encompass historical happenings within a story showing their results on individuals with varied success: the main plot gets increasingly contrived. (Not 14th c., but better social historical fiction is available: Roberta Gellis' classic Roselynde, while it has obligatory romance elements as it was originally published under 'Romance,' is excellent, readable 12th-13th C. historical fiction, as is any of Ellis Peters's 11th C. Cadfael murder mysteries.)
Vantrease's presentation of historical events is mostly accurate as is her very general depiction of manorial, craftsman and ecclesiastical lives during the period with some notable exceptions. The shilling coin didn't exist in the 14th C. (first milled 1503) and a few other oopsies, but far more importantly, Kathryn of Blackingham has no overlord to whom her manor is beholden. Wrong. In feudal society everyone had a generally available master with whom they had a reciprocal arrangement, except the budding craftsman class (Finn, the Illuminator); in particular a small hold manor always had an overlord. The lack of a feudal overlord for Blackingham seems a deliberate omission to make Kathryn that much more vulnerable, furthering plot contrivances. It didn't jar me out of the story, although it niggled a LOT and made the story increasingly artificial as it unfolded. In reality, Blackingham Manor would have an overlord to whom Kathryn could turn and to whom she owed obedience (the 'feudal contract'): a small manor house would seldom have been a direct fief of the king although a few lines to that effect would have gone a long way to covering this whopping error.
A more experienced writer would've worked an evil/distant/impervious overlord into the plot: my wee little American brain really can handle more than one lordly 'Sir' per novel ...
Kathryn herself is a difficult and prickly character who makes a lot of bad decisions, sometimes illogically furthering the story. Finn, the Illuminator of the title, could come from an historical romance and be named Mary Sue. Vantrease's supporting characters are far more real, and more interesting: Half-Tom the fen-dwelling dwarf, 'simple' Magda, and the fictionalized-but-real Anchoress Julian of Norwich. These supporting characters are what took me to the end of the book, even though their subplots were predictable. (I've read that these characters worked their way into the story, telling me that the author would do better to veer from her plot outlines and trust her writerly instincts in future.)
There's an overabundance of evil churchmen until we need a, wait for it, saintly churchwoman (the Anchoress, the Abbess): we get it, the (male) Church was corrupt and invasive and apparently there wasn't a decent man in it. Unfortunately, Vantrease tends to paint with a roller when a small brush would've done a better job.
There are several plot threads through this novel, including a murder mystery which causes serious plot repercussions: unfortunately there was an obvious candidate for murderer & I kept wondering why Kathryn never thought of it. I can't imagine someone that oblivious being a good manager of the manor, as she is otherwise portrayed.
Her almost-adult twin sons, Colin & Alfred, are both flat characters and again Kathryn seems too intelligent to have dealt so badly with both of them, in addition to the ahistorical elements around them .
Taken as a whole it's not a bad first novel but it's certainly not as terrific as the many, many blurbs make out, and it doesn't seem to have been the huge hit in the UK that it was in the US. I originally thought I might like to read the 2nd novel, but I'll give it a miss: this one wasn't that great.
The Illuminator is a moderately-well-researched, modestly well-presented novel of 14th century England at a time when what would eventually become the Reformation was being birthed. Vantrease attempts to encompass historical happenings within a story showing their results on individuals with varied success: the main plot gets increasingly contrived. (Not 14th c., but better social historical fiction is available: Roberta Gellis' classic Roselynde, while it has obligatory romance elements as it was originally published under 'Romance,' is excellent, readable 12th-13th C. historical fiction, as is any of Ellis Peters's 11th C. Cadfael murder mysteries.)
Vantrease's presentation of historical events is mostly accurate as is her very general depiction of manorial, craftsman and ecclesiastical lives during the period with some notable exceptions. The shilling coin didn't exist in the 14th C. (first milled 1503) and a few other oopsies, but far more importantly, Kathryn of Blackingham has no overlord to whom her manor is beholden. Wrong. In feudal society everyone had a generally available master with whom they had a reciprocal arrangement, except the budding craftsman class (Finn, the Illuminator); in particular a small hold manor always had an overlord. The lack of a feudal overlord for Blackingham seems a deliberate omission to make Kathryn that much more vulnerable, furthering plot contrivances. It didn't jar me out of the story, although it niggled a LOT and made the story increasingly artificial as it unfolded. In reality, Blackingham Manor would have an overlord to whom Kathryn could turn and to whom she owed obedience (the 'feudal contract'): a small manor house would seldom have been a direct fief of the king although a few lines to that effect would have gone a long way to covering this whopping error.
A more experienced writer would've worked an evil/distant/impervious overlord into the plot: my wee little American brain really can handle more than one lordly 'Sir' per novel ...
Kathryn herself is a difficult and prickly character who makes a lot of bad decisions, sometimes illogically furthering the story. Finn, the Illuminator of the title, could come from an historical romance and be named Mary Sue. Vantrease's supporting characters are far more real, and more interesting: Half-Tom the fen-dwelling dwarf, 'simple' Magda, and the fictionalized-but-real Anchoress Julian of Norwich. These supporting characters are what took me to the end of the book, even though their subplots were predictable. (I've read that these characters worked their way into the story, telling me that the author would do better to veer from her plot outlines and trust her writerly instincts in future.)
There's an overabundance of evil churchmen until we need a, wait for it, saintly churchwoman (the Anchoress, the Abbess): we get it, the (male) Church was corrupt and invasive and apparently there wasn't a decent man in it. Unfortunately, Vantrease tends to paint with a roller when a small brush would've done a better job.
There are several plot threads through this novel, including a murder mystery which causes serious plot repercussions: unfortunately there was an obvious candidate for murderer & I kept wondering why Kathryn never thought of it. I can't imagine someone that oblivious being a good manager of the manor, as she is otherwise portrayed.
Her almost-adult twin sons, Colin & Alfred, are both flat characters and again Kathryn seems too intelligent to have dealt so badly with both of them, in addition to the ahistorical elements around them .
Taken as a whole it's not a bad first novel but it's certainly not as terrific as the many, many blurbs make out, and it doesn't seem to have been the huge hit in the UK that it was in the US. I originally thought I might like to read the 2nd novel, but I'll give it a miss: this one wasn't that great.
December 8, 2011
If you are seeking a historical fiction novel about the beautiful, artistic, and sometimes scandalous world of illuminators in the fourteenth century with rich and vivid images…then, sadly, The Illuminator is NOT what you are looking for. I learned this the hard way.
The Illuminator introduces the story with a lovely text style which easy to understand and in-line with the historical period but the story somehow still seems subdued and restricted. This may be a result of the absent setting and background descriptions which tend to be the highlight of most other historical fiction novels. Plain and simply: something was missing. The events described are emotionless and bland. Brenda Rickman Vantrease describes these without much effort and uses prose which is “by the book” meaning: “this is how it SHOULD be written, so this is how I will write it” (appears to be her motto). This formula completely kills any opportunity for the book to be unique and creative on its own merit which is disappointing because the topic and plot garner interest.
None of the characters in The Illuminator are “sticky” enough to tie a close bond with the reader. Each (Finn, Finn’s daughter, Lady Kathryn) only follow their own pre-determined roles and character descriptions without stepping outside these boundaries. This causes the novel to be much too predictable with the story progression moving at a snail’s pace. One can read 30 pages and the same discussions are occurring amongst the characters with no event evolution.
The biggest downfall of the novel is the failure to encompass the heavy themes mentioned in the novel blurbs (heresy, courtly themes involving King Richard and John of Gaunt, impending church reformations, etc) to their full potential and instead focusing more on a soap opera of superficial and ego-centric subject matter involving the characters’ crossed-loves and bastard babies. The Illuminator is more of a historical romance, in that respect. So many other topics could have been explored, but sadly, Vantrease didn’t “give-in” to the rich imagery of the surrounding themes and historical times.
Bottom line: The Illuminator is not even really about illuminating or similar topics (such as the church—although it is does have a small part) and is more about the personal drama surrounding the illuminator’s (Finn) personal life. This novel is scan-worthy, at best.
The Illuminator introduces the story with a lovely text style which easy to understand and in-line with the historical period but the story somehow still seems subdued and restricted. This may be a result of the absent setting and background descriptions which tend to be the highlight of most other historical fiction novels. Plain and simply: something was missing. The events described are emotionless and bland. Brenda Rickman Vantrease describes these without much effort and uses prose which is “by the book” meaning: “this is how it SHOULD be written, so this is how I will write it” (appears to be her motto). This formula completely kills any opportunity for the book to be unique and creative on its own merit which is disappointing because the topic and plot garner interest.
None of the characters in The Illuminator are “sticky” enough to tie a close bond with the reader. Each (Finn, Finn’s daughter, Lady Kathryn) only follow their own pre-determined roles and character descriptions without stepping outside these boundaries. This causes the novel to be much too predictable with the story progression moving at a snail’s pace. One can read 30 pages and the same discussions are occurring amongst the characters with no event evolution.
The biggest downfall of the novel is the failure to encompass the heavy themes mentioned in the novel blurbs (heresy, courtly themes involving King Richard and John of Gaunt, impending church reformations, etc) to their full potential and instead focusing more on a soap opera of superficial and ego-centric subject matter involving the characters’ crossed-loves and bastard babies. The Illuminator is more of a historical romance, in that respect. So many other topics could have been explored, but sadly, Vantrease didn’t “give-in” to the rich imagery of the surrounding themes and historical times.
Bottom line: The Illuminator is not even really about illuminating or similar topics (such as the church—although it is does have a small part) and is more about the personal drama surrounding the illuminator’s (Finn) personal life. This novel is scan-worthy, at best.
November 27, 2015
Had to read this one to find out certain background for "The Mercy Seller," which I read first and enjoyed a lot. Unfortunately, the first volume of the Illuminator series isn't as compelling, and the relationship didn't pull me in as the former book.
Something good came out of reading it after the second book, though, the lucky discovery that each of the books can be read as standalones, so you can skip this one and the third without missing anything.
Something good came out of reading it after the second book, though, the lucky discovery that each of the books can be read as standalones, so you can skip this one and the third without missing anything.
September 18, 2020
SINOPSIS
En la Inglaterra del siglo XIV la pugna entre los reformistas y los católicos más recalcitrantes está en pleno apogeo. No es de extrañar, pues, que el teólogo John Wycliffe sea considerado un hereje por su empeño en traducir la Biblia al inglés y acercarla así al pueblo llano. Uno de sus enemigos más acérrimos es el intolerante arzobispo de Norwich, Henry Despenser, interesado en mantener la pobreza material y espiritual de la población a su más bajo nivel. El arzobispo, en su afán por recaudar todo el dinero posible para financiar la guerra contra Clemente VIII, el Papa reformista, no duda en engañar a los católicos más devotos, como es el caso de la viuda lady Kathryn. La irrupción del maestro iluminador Finn, afín a las ideas reformistas, supondrá todo un desafío emocional y espiritual para lady Kathryn... Novela basada en varios personajes históricos relevantes: el teólogo reformistas John Wycliffe, John Ball, y Henry Despenser
OPINIÓN
A pesar de por momentos ser un libro un pelín lento no me arrepiento de haberlo leído. Aunque el argumento gira entorno a la traducción de la biblia para que el pueblo pudiera ser su propio guía espiritual y así salir de la opresión de una iglesia católica que solo quería que fueran borregos para así poder seguir explotándolos y enriquecerse a su costa (que viene a ser la moraleja principal), lo que más me atrajo de esta lectura fue el sufrido y difícil papel de las mujeres, como la protagonista, que a pesar de ser una "señora" rica en comparación con la gran mayoría de la gente que la rodeaba, estaba en una posición de debilidad y total vulnerabilidad frente a los varones.
En la Inglaterra del siglo XIV la pugna entre los reformistas y los católicos más recalcitrantes está en pleno apogeo. No es de extrañar, pues, que el teólogo John Wycliffe sea considerado un hereje por su empeño en traducir la Biblia al inglés y acercarla así al pueblo llano. Uno de sus enemigos más acérrimos es el intolerante arzobispo de Norwich, Henry Despenser, interesado en mantener la pobreza material y espiritual de la población a su más bajo nivel. El arzobispo, en su afán por recaudar todo el dinero posible para financiar la guerra contra Clemente VIII, el Papa reformista, no duda en engañar a los católicos más devotos, como es el caso de la viuda lady Kathryn. La irrupción del maestro iluminador Finn, afín a las ideas reformistas, supondrá todo un desafío emocional y espiritual para lady Kathryn... Novela basada en varios personajes históricos relevantes: el teólogo reformistas John Wycliffe, John Ball, y Henry Despenser
OPINIÓN
A pesar de por momentos ser un libro un pelín lento no me arrepiento de haberlo leído. Aunque el argumento gira entorno a la traducción de la biblia para que el pueblo pudiera ser su propio guía espiritual y así salir de la opresión de una iglesia católica que solo quería que fueran borregos para así poder seguir explotándolos y enriquecerse a su costa (que viene a ser la moraleja principal), lo que más me atrajo de esta lectura fue el sufrido y difícil papel de las mujeres, como la protagonista, que a pesar de ser una "señora" rica en comparación con la gran mayoría de la gente que la rodeaba, estaba en una posición de debilidad y total vulnerabilidad frente a los varones.
July 9, 2012
This is a well written historical romance, backed up (or so a casual googling tells me) with some pretty good historical research.
The author has a lot of strengths, when she decides to be descriptive she does so very well; despite this being in large part, a romance, I was never inundated with too much lust. In that respect, I really enjoyed the restraint, it seemed to fit in with the time period better. The characters are pretty well defined, if a bit stereotypical at times. If you love historical romances you're in for a treat.
However, for whatever reason, this book just didn't thrill me. Despite the hero and heroine's plight, I never felt any real tension or urgency. There was a lot here that could have been a lot more exciting, but the author's understated style plays it down, which I felt was to it's detriment.
This is an alright read, but it lacked a special something to make it really pop.
The author has a lot of strengths, when she decides to be descriptive she does so very well; despite this being in large part, a romance, I was never inundated with too much lust. In that respect, I really enjoyed the restraint, it seemed to fit in with the time period better. The characters are pretty well defined, if a bit stereotypical at times. If you love historical romances you're in for a treat.
However, for whatever reason, this book just didn't thrill me. Despite the hero and heroine's plight, I never felt any real tension or urgency. There was a lot here that could have been a lot more exciting, but the author's understated style plays it down, which I felt was to it's detriment.
This is an alright read, but it lacked a special something to make it really pop.
February 1, 2008
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.
January 28, 2012
I loved this book...such a fresh take on the 14th century. The emergence of the middle class, the dead knell of serfdom, the lingering effects of the Black Death, and over riding all, the redemption of love in all its forms. A beautiful book.
September 2, 2017
Too much 'As You Know, Bob...' combined with repetitive conversations about the mundane minutiae of these (cardboard, one-dimensional) characters' lives. They'd discuss something. Rehash it. Then move into a NEW conversation with another character who wasn't in the first scene & rehash it yet again, only to reach literally THE SAME CONCLUSION. This happened multiple times & each one pissed me off more than the last (esp because Kathryn wouldn't stfu her whining martyr routine).
I made it through roughly 100 pgs before abandoning ship. Several reviews harp on the book improving at some nebulous point midway through, but I couldn't care less. This isn't a 900-page epic. If your 400-pg novel needs more than 25% to reach a higher gear of better plot, better pace, or better interaction, you should have started the meat & potatoes sooner. A standard-length novel shouldn't take that long to hook the reader.
DNF.
I made it through roughly 100 pgs before abandoning ship. Several reviews harp on the book improving at some nebulous point midway through, but I couldn't care less. This isn't a 900-page epic. If your 400-pg novel needs more than 25% to reach a higher gear of better plot, better pace, or better interaction, you should have started the meat & potatoes sooner. A standard-length novel shouldn't take that long to hook the reader.
DNF.
April 18, 2008
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.
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.
March 27, 2018
This was an interesting novel about medieval Europe in the 14th century. The cover really drew me to the book. Lady Katherine resides over her manor. Her husband has died and she has twin sons who are coming into their manhood. Lady Katherine is having difficulty keeping her manor running when she receives a proposition to house an illuminator and his daughter. What unfolds is a little mystery, romance and a little history. Overall not a bad medieval read.
January 15, 2022
Characters are a bit fairy tale-esque but overall enjoyable book.
February 6, 2019
The Illuminator is a tale about love, loss, and letting go. It is about injustice and courage and acceptance. The storyline is an intriguing one. While I enjoyed this book, I found the plot to progress at a snail’s pace, with much repetition and many pages on which little happens.
July 17, 2010
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 with human hope, disappointments and despair, even heartbreak, the story is filled with suspense as well as romance.
Opposites collide. Prejudice against tolerance, compassion against vengeance, greed against the struggle to etch out a living, violence destroying lives and yet the survivors pick up and go on.
A page turner.
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 with human hope, disappointments and despair, even heartbreak, the story is filled with suspense as well as romance.
Opposites collide. Prejudice against tolerance, compassion against vengeance, greed against the struggle to etch out a living, violence destroying lives and yet the survivors pick up and go on.
A page turner.
January 16, 2013
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 relationships didn't make sense and the evil Bishop was a little too evil to stomach.
I really didn't like this book.
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 relationships didn't make sense and the evil Bishop was a little too evil to stomach.
I really didn't like this book.
October 14, 2007
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 drama.
November 7, 2011
a big disappointment -- despite the fact that it was set in England in the late 14th century and had a cast of characters who could have been fun to read about...except that it ended up reading like a medieval soap opera. A big waste of time as far as I'm concerned. (But it kept me reading nonetheless!)
April 28, 2016
I listened to this a few years ago and really liked it. Reading it was even better! This historical fiction was true to the times. I read Julian of Norwich's book, so I was delighted that she was one of the characters. She was the first woman to write in the English common language of that time. The bishop, Henry Despenser was one of the villains of the story, again a true historical figure.
September 23, 2007
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.
January 22, 2020
Well done! Well written! Time & place well presented. You could feel the fear of the church, the financial anguish by the King, the pent up furor of the peasants, the anguish of the women of all stations. Obviously, I truly enjoyed this novel!!
May 10, 2007
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.
February 5, 2015
Odlična! Sve u jednom; povijest, ljubav, izdaja, problematična djeca :), dobar rasplet...Baš uživancija.
March 2, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ This was a quick, but textually substantial read bringing together historical characters I’d never thought of as coexisting such as Julian of Norwich, John Wycliffe, and Wat Tyler. Struck just the right balance of being both fun and complex.
September 1, 2016
Svi čitatelji koji vole dobar povijesni roman, zasigurno će doći na svoje, ako pročitaju ovu knjigu.
Radnja se odvija u Engleskoj u 14. stoljeću. Glavna protagonistica romana je udovica lady Kathryn koja živi sama na svom posjedu sa petnaestogodišnjim blizancima koja se bori za svoju samostalnost, jer uz lovce na njen miraz postoji tu još puno problema s kojima se susreće. Tu je prije svega Crkva, te pohlepno plemstvo koje joj svakim danom zagorčava život. Na nagovor Crkve, ona pristaje u svoj dom primiti iluminatora Finna koji zajedno sa njegovom kćeri postaje član njenog kućanstva. Finn izrađuje iluminacije ne samo za Crkvu, već i za oxfordskog svećenika, heretika Johna Wicliffea trudeći se da Sveto pismo dođe i do malih, običnih ljudi pisano na engleskom jeziku.
Naravno, između Lady Kathryn i Finna se rađaju simpatije, koje prerastaju u jednu divnu ljubavnu vezu.
Međutim, knjiga ne bi bila zanimljiva da ne postoje problemi i intrige, ali ja vam o tome neću pisati. Mogu samo reći da sam ju čitala sa velikim guštom i uživala u svakoj njenoj stranici.
Borba jedne žene, iza koje ne stoji nitko, do ona sama, njena ljubav, osveta, vjera, nada i još puno toga je sadržano u ovom romanu.
Naravno, nadam se da će kod nas biti preveden i njen nastavak " Prodavač milosrđa" koji je preveden u Srbiji, ali na žalost kod nas ga još nema.
Teško je na jedan kratak način opisati kako nam je sve to spisateljica sročila. Dubinski, sa velikim emocijama , upravo da se pamti. Naravno, meni je ostala i ostat će u sjećanju kao jedan divan roman koji vas tjera na preispitivanje sebe, nekih vaših stavova, vjere i ljubavi, roditeljstva pa osvete i još mnogo toga. Ovakva djela se pamte kad se pročitaju.
August 20, 2011
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, the plot would have taken a different path. The plot manages to balance many different themes: love, loss, religious corruption, loyalty, revenge, faith, and friendship. Even characters who want the same things (freedom, love, acceptance) make very different choices and express themselves in very different ways making them all seem more realistic and flawed. While some people see the ending as too depressing, I feel it was a realistic (although heartbreaking at times) ending given the historical context. Kudos for this author's first novel...hopefully there will be more (the ending seemed to allow for a sequel).
October 10, 2017
I give this 2 star.
May 26, 2021
Thank God that's over. What a bore.
The characters were so one-dimensional, with any and all opportunity for development swept away in favour of a predictable plot. Inexplicable attempts at 'surprises' (Finn says he doesn't find Kathryn attractive, haha! The reader will never guess that in their next interaction they will have sex even though that is out of character for both of them!) make it read like a soap opera.
It uses too many perspectives that aren't needed (honestly, why is Julian of Norwich there?) which means the main characters never get developed. And while those side characters tend to be a lot more interesting than the gentry, they remain strangely and uselessly functional. Magda can see auras - but we only use this for the already super obvious reveal of the ingénue's pregnancy and as a general guide to which characters we can trust! Because it isn't the narrative's job to show us that!
There are moments where it could be good, but then automatically negates this. See: Finn's early conversation with the bailiff (or sheriff, they all fade into one evil, moustache-twirling villain). Finn realises he should back off, so he does. GREAT example of 'show, don't tell'. Which is then followed by: 'you don't want to mess with the bailiff' (or something similar). Finn wouldn't think that! He wouldn't need to think that! It's like a character in a modern novel shying away from a confrontation with the police, and the narrative then explaining that you don't want to get on the bad side of law enforcement.
And let's not get into the ham-fisted research. Who (other than modern tourists) walks past a church in Norwich and rehashes their recent development history? 'Ah, yes, the church of Peter Mancroft, built in...' Because that's a normal thing for passers-by to know. When was your friend's office building constructed? I want to bet you don't know. Because people don't care, and people in the middle ages wouldn't have cared either.
All in all, I couldn't finish it (stopped at 50%) and I suggest you don't, either.
The characters were so one-dimensional, with any and all opportunity for development swept away in favour of a predictable plot. Inexplicable attempts at 'surprises' (Finn says he doesn't find Kathryn attractive, haha! The reader will never guess that in their next interaction they will have sex even though that is out of character for both of them!) make it read like a soap opera.
It uses too many perspectives that aren't needed (honestly, why is Julian of Norwich there?) which means the main characters never get developed. And while those side characters tend to be a lot more interesting than the gentry, they remain strangely and uselessly functional. Magda can see auras - but we only use this for the already super obvious reveal of the ingénue's pregnancy and as a general guide to which characters we can trust! Because it isn't the narrative's job to show us that!
There are moments where it could be good, but then automatically negates this. See: Finn's early conversation with the bailiff (or sheriff, they all fade into one evil, moustache-twirling villain). Finn realises he should back off, so he does. GREAT example of 'show, don't tell'. Which is then followed by: 'you don't want to mess with the bailiff' (or something similar). Finn wouldn't think that! He wouldn't need to think that! It's like a character in a modern novel shying away from a confrontation with the police, and the narrative then explaining that you don't want to get on the bad side of law enforcement.
And let's not get into the ham-fisted research. Who (other than modern tourists) walks past a church in Norwich and rehashes their recent development history? 'Ah, yes, the church of Peter Mancroft, built in...' Because that's a normal thing for passers-by to know. When was your friend's office building constructed? I want to bet you don't know. Because people don't care, and people in the middle ages wouldn't have cared either.
All in all, I couldn't finish it (stopped at 50%) and I suggest you don't, either.
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