Charlemagne and Roland

by Allan Massie

A truly European monarch, Charlemagne was king of the Franks from 768 to 814 and for some of that time king of the Lombards, too. From 800, when at Mass on Christmas day in Rome, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne Imperator Romanorum (Emperor of the Romans) he became the renewer of the Western Empire, which had expired in the 5th century. His dual role as Emperor and King of the Franks provided the historical link between the Imperial dignity and the Frankish kingdoms and later Germany. Today both France and Germany look to him as a founding figure of their respective countries. His nephew, Roland, was also renowned for his prowess in battle and was the inspiration for the Chanson de Roland which recounts the story of the battle of Roncesvalles, in which he died.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Allan Massie was a Scottish journalist, sports writer and novelist. He was one of Scotland's most prolific and well-known journalists, writing regular columns for The Scotsman, The Sunday Times (Scotland) and the Scottish Daily Mail. He was the author of nearly 30 books, including 20 novels. He is notable for novels set in the distant past and Vichy France.

Reviews

[Edoardo Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has received surprisingly little attention on Good Reads, and what attention it has received has been fairly unflattering. Given that I've scored it three stars, I might seem to be in the lukewarm category too, but actually, I think Massie was trying to do something very interesting with this novel, but did not quite pull it off. Unlike the usual historical novel - with its snappy dialogue and fast cuts ultimately derived from filmmaking, even when leavened with historical research - Charlemagne and Roland reads very differently: the conceit is that the whole book is the purported work of the tutor to Frederick I, telling him the true story of Charlemagne and Roland, as opposed to the troubadour epic, Song of Roland. In this, the book most closely resembles Robert Graves' Claudius novels, and like those, succeeds or fails on the narrator's voice. Unfortunately, Michael Scott is not so compelling a narrator as Claudius (although he evidently thinks he is). So, only three stars, but a fascinating attempt at a different style of historical novel.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know exactly what score to give this book. On one hand, there were parts of it that seem to be very relevant for our time - the narrator's support for religious tolerance is interesting for a medieval character.

Equally, there are aspects that I found confusing, not least the jumping around in time without any clear indications of when each section of Charlemagne's story is taking place. The author explains that the narrator is based on a documented historical figure and provides dates for him. That's fine. But Charlemagne's story meanders around: a battle takes place in one chapter and then in the next chapter we're told that battle hasn't happened yet. There are no dates given, no "X months later" or anything like that to help the reader follow the sequence of events. Maybe the author doesn't want to provide them because it's a mishmash of history and myth, but even legends ought to be clear on their chronology!

It's also very hard to sympathise with either of the two title characters. Personally, I ended up not caring much for whiny, intolerant Roland or indeed Charlemagne and found myself wanting to know more about the narrator.

In the end, it's all a bit... meh. I'm glad it was a short book. I'm giving it 2 stars, but 1.5 would be more accurate.

[Margaret · Rating 1 out of 5]

Allan Massie managed to take a beautiful book "Chanson de Roland" or "Song of Roland" and turn it into a prosaic and rather dull novel.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hugely entertaining novel by a hugely talented writer - I read and loved this novel many years ago but it has been too long to review properly. But that doesn't prevent me from awarding it four stars and I am sure when I do reread it that I will award five stars.

Although shelved as 'queer interest' this is not a 'gay' novel but it is a novel which has elements which a queer person might find relatable or of interest. Mr. Massie is a wonderful writer of historical fiction as good as, if not better than Alfred Duggan, and there is always, at least in the novels I have read, a lovely homoerotic plot or two.

Well recoomended and I can't imagine you being disappointed.

[Lu]

Last of trilogy of the Dark Ages

[Cat {Pemberley and Beyond} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11307644

[Ming Terk · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tutor narrates the story to a prince. A really exasperating and irritating narrator, not only to the Prince but also to this particular reader. Didn't finish the book.