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2011-04 - Medieval - Post April Reviews Here
I read Charming the Prince by Teresa Medeiros. **This was a great medieval romance (gorgeous main characters that fall in love in spite of not wanting to), but just not very plausible. I am sure romance readers would love it though for a quick sensual read.
I read The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier. Set in the 15th century in France and Brussels, this historical fiction novel is about the creation of a beautiful set of tapestries by Nicolas des Innocents for a French nobleman. The story is set in the homes of Jean Le Viste, the French nobleman, and Georges de la Chapelle, a Belgian master weaver. The tapestries are real and so was Jean Le Viste. The rest is the author's story to explain the creation of the beautiful tapestries as there is no known history to them. Much of the story revolves around the women of these families and the artist, Nicolas.I hesitated on the stars for this book, and would give it 3.5 if I could.
I read
by Donna Jo Napoli. It took place in Medieval Ireland (Eire). It was not the typical Princess tale, which was refreshing. It was on the darker side though, definitely not cheery.3.5 stars
I read Grendel by John Champlin Gardner. It is a parallel novel to Beowulf, telling the story from the perspective of the monster, Grendel. I gave it 4 stars. ****This book is short on pages - 174 - but feels much fuller due to the author's command of language. This is not an easy read. It is not as difficult stylistically to slog through as the source material (Beowulf), but the wordage is quite florid, often astonishing for its deft use of metaphor, as well as filled with unusual word choice and unconventional phrasing. It is also frequently and surprisingly crude and nasty - not in a sexual way but in an earthy or bloody way. The ugliness of certain images is enhanced a hundred-fold by the simply beautiful language surrounding them.
This is largely a character study, as well as an existentialist tale, concerning Grendel's questions and angst and ramblings and rumblings, with musings on Being and the Self and the Other. Grendel is deeply unlikable, but you root for the bloody, smelly lout all the same, because he is somehow noble in his great savagery. (As eloquent as he is gross and horrible, he is not completely dissimilar to an unwashed Hannibal Lector in a fur coat, although less of a manipulator and more of a head-smasher.) He may eat men alive, but then he navel-gazes and philosophizes on not only why he did eat, but also on why the men existed in the first place. (He holds a very low opinion of humans in general, and "hates" everything/everyone from animals to trees to the sky. He is a bit of a nihilist.)
Grendel is involved in a 12-year war with the local humans, who fear and loathe him on principle, and is deeply devoted to, although he does not fully understand, his mute, incurious Mother. He is curious, quizzical, wry, furious, licentious, bitter, pitiful, jealous, greedy, childish, gluttonous, vulgar, brutish, violent, callous, and loud. Yet he is also true to himself, honest about himself, and often sees through to the heart of things in ways more sophisticated beings might not. He is at the same time the most inhuman and human being of all - the Beast inside us all.
I have one word for the lot of you who have finished already...Overachievers!
:p
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Candiss wrote: "I read Grendel by John Champlin Gardner. It is a parallel novel to Beowulf, telling the story from the perspective of the monster, Grendel. I gave it 4 stars. ****..."
What a great review. One of the best I have ever read.
I read Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin ★★★★I admit that the very beginning of this book was a bit confusing for me. There were multiple POVs and none of them were the main characters, who were later introduced. But I'm very glad I stuck with it as I ended up enjoying the mystery and Adelia and company quite a bit.
Adelia is not the easiest character to love right away. A female doctor traveling in England in the 1100s, she is necessarily wary and circumspect. While it makes sense, it also means that it takes a little while for her warmth to show through. She reminds me a little of one of my favorite mystery heroines, Amelia Peabody. They are both somewhat prickly at first but that hides a great heart and great sense of justice. Though Mistress of the Art of Death is much darker, in tone and in crime, than the Amelia Peabody books.
The mystery itself was solid. I had a couple of guesses "whodunit" and I was wrong on all counts. But when the actual perpetrator was revealed it still made sense to me and was a believable resolution. Even though the crimes were gruesome and horrifying (I admit to skimming some of the more detailed passages) I still enjoyed the time spent with Adelia and company and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
I finished The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett today. Since so many of us are reading it this month, I'll just say that I LOVED, it! When I read the last words, my exact quote was "wow, what a book!" The only negative was that there were some graphic parts that I found myself skipping over. . . nevertheless, I gave it **** stars. :)
I read By Possession by Madeline Hunter and gave it a strong 4*, and am looking forward to reading the next in the series. My review is here
I finished up The Prince tonight - I think I remember having to read portions of it in a philosophy course in undergrad (but I don't think I actually finished it...) - it was interesting reading and seeing how some of the article's he proposed can still be applied to political scenarios today
Just finished up Graceling - loved it!! Katsa was a kick-ass heroine...the graceling idea isn't all that unique, but the way that the author treated them was different and enjoyable - my only comment is nuts, now I have to go and buy the second book in the series :(
I just finished The Pillars of the Earth and what a great read it was. I would definitely recommend it to lovers of historical fiction. I really was kept fully engaged through the entire book which is rare especially for a book of that length!
Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "Just finished up Graceling - loved it!! Katsa was a kick-ass heroine...the graceling idea isn't all that unique, but the way that the author treated them was different and enjoyable ..."If it is any consolation, I liked the 2nd book even more!
If it is any consolation, I liked the 2nd book even more! i'm going to hold off getting the second book because according to her website, the third book is due out end of this year, early next, so i'll probably do a re-read of Graceling, then book 2 and roll right into book 3...
Just finished with The Goose Girl in audio form and I have to say it was wonderful. Great story! I caught myself circling the block so I did not have to turn the audiobook off. It was a coming of age story that had it all... betrayal, suspense, love, and friendship. It is the first in a trilogy so it looks like I am going to have to continue reading the series now. More books for the TBR, but honestly I don't mind.I easily gave it 5 stars.
Tara wrote: "Just finished with The Goose Girl in audio form and I have to say it was wonderful. Great story! I caught myself circling the block so I did not have to turn the audiobook off. It ..."I loved the Goose Girl when I read it a couple years ago. I'm actually planning on rereading it either this month or next for my local book club, & I'm really excited to get wrapped up in the story again. I also loved the second book in the series, Enna Burning, but wasn't quite as crazy about the third, River Secrets. I still haven't read Forest Born, the fourth book.
Mod
i'm going to hold off getting the second book because according to her website, the third book is due out end of this year, early next, s..."
But you should know that they're not chronological. Book 2 is the backstory for a villain you met in Book 1. You really don't get any more time with Katsa. Then Book 3 will pick up where Book 1 left off.
yep, I read the excerpt - def. want to see how Leak became what he was....but soo many books ;)
Mod
I really liked Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which Natasha reviewed above. I gave it 4 stars. My review here .
But Minstrel in the Tower not so much; I gave it only 2.5 stars. My review here .
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I forgot to post, I read A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters I gave it 2 stars as I found it quite a dull book on the whole. I have been told though that the series gets better so I might try and read the 2nd one.
I just finished reading The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I gave it 3 stars. I liked the book but found some parts very hard to get through. Some parts were very violent, some I had to skip but on a whole the story wasn't that bad.
Pollyanna wrote: "I forgot to post, I read A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters I gave it 2 stars as I found it quite a dull book on the whole. I have been told though that the series..."Good to know that you have heard the series gets better. I couldn't make it all the way through the first one, but maybe I will give one of the later ones a try at some point.
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier - 4*It's been a while since I've read an epic fantasy (not sure if this is considered epic or not?), & I really enjoyed it! I love fairy tale retellings & quite liked this one. The bonds between brothers & sister were well developed & strong, & the love story was very sweet. I did, however, think this book was on the wordy side. The same story could have been told in fewer words &, in my opinion, been more effective. I found myself wanting the story to get on with it. At the same time, I couldn't begin to focus on any other books I was reading b/c this one was so difficult to put down. I will most likely continue this series, although I'll need to take a break from it for a bit.
I finished A Clash of Kings last night, and although I didn't love it as much as I loved the first in this series, A Game of Thrones I would still give it 4*This book got a little long in the middle, but I think it was suffering from what I so often find in the 2nd book of a series...I think it was setting up the rest of the saga.
All in all though, I can't wait to read more about my favorite characters in book 3, 4, and 5. I hope the good ones survive and the bad ones get what is coming to them!
I also finished The Fate of Princes which I really had to work to get through. I would only give it 2*This should have been a good mystery about who killed the nephews of Richard III or if they were killed at all for that matter, but it wasn't.
It lacked any character developement at all and the voice of the narrator was quite dry. I'm sure there are better books out there on this topic.
Lynne, I've been wanting to read A Game of Thrones for a while now. I started it sometime last year, but it was due back to the library before I was even close to finishing (& of course someone else was waiting for it). What I did read, I really liked. I plan on rewarding myself by buying this book once I finish my current big read, Vanity Fair.
there is some talk over on the feedback group about the desire to add a series review option for books like Brother Cadfeal where there are lots of books that the same could be said for most of them - without having to write an individual reviewSusan wrote: "I never know how to write reviews of the Cadfael books. All I said in mine for The Hermit of Eyton Forest was "Like all the Brother Cadfael books, this is a well-plotted mystery with ..."
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight****, loved this thought it was really well written and I couldn't put it down.Beowulf: A New Verse Translation**, I found this very repetitive but I think my biggest problem was that I kept hearing Ray Winstone's voice in my head.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard***, having read all the Harry Potters I thought I might as well read this book and it was a pleasant enough way to spend half an hour.
The Death Maze and Relics of the Dead both ****. I loved both these books, I couldn't put them down.
Mod
Liz wrote: "Tara wrote: "Just finished with The Goose Girl in audio form and I have to say it was wonderful. Great story! I caught myself circling the block so I did not have to turn the audiob..."I just put Enna Burning on hold. Hopefully I will get to pick it up at the library soon.
This month I finished a book for the monthly shelf before the month ended! :) I'm very glad the shelf for this month was Medieval because I finally started a series that has been on my TBR list for a VERY long time. I see I liked the book better than some of you. Here's my review of A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters:I didn't have to read very many pages of this book before I knew that I loved Brother Cadfael! This series by Ellis Peters has been recommended to me many times by Dick Francis fans listing some of their other favorite mystery series. On the face of it, this series doesn't seem to be anything like a Dick Francis mystery. But I can see why it is a favorite of so many who also love Dick Francis. Brother Cadfael is very reminiscent of a Dick Francis hero. I'm only sorry it took me so long to read one! I've already checked out the second Brother Cadfael from the library and look forward to some excellent mystery reading in the future as I work my way through the entire series. 4 stars.
I just finished The Prince , a short primer on Politics and Power written by Niccolo Machiavelli to Lorenzo di Piero de Medici in 1513. It's amazing how with an updated sentence structure, this could have been written about any era's politics and power. Throughout history, those in politics and power rarely are restricted by thoughts of how moral their decisions may be, but only by the power that will result.
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I'm glad you discovered it, Luann. It's one of my favorite series!
I finished By Design, book 2 in Madeline Hunter's medieval series.The title of this book is very appropriate - both Rhys & Joan are designers. Rhys is a mason who also sculpts beautiful statues; Joan makes lovely tiles and beautiful miniature statues. I loved reading about their work.
This is a stand-alone story, but the roles that Addis & Moira play here make more sense if you have read By Possession, the first book in this series. But that's no punishment, as this is a great series! My full review is here
I read
byBernard Cornwell and didn't like it all that much. It had plenty of action, but it just didn't hold my interest. it didn't evoke 'medieval' very well I didn't think.
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The Borgia Bride by Jeanne Kalogridis
A wonderful story about Sancha of Aragon, wife of Jofre Borgia. I was a bit disappointed in how slow this book read, and in some glaring inconsistencies that the author included. I am not a stickler for historical accuracy in historical fiction books, but when the author contradicts themselves within the same book, it is a little weird. 3.5 stars
Mod
The second book in the author's Study series. A good, quick read with interesting characters, but more of a fantasy book than a medieval book, IMO. 3 stars.
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Growing up, my son Joe loved these books. I think he has read every one of them. Eventually he talked me into reading the first one, Redwall and I liked it. I really enjoy how quickly they read, how well Jacques can tell a story, and the way that he teaches medieval history through the use of animals and fantasy. Definitely a 4 star read.
Mod
The first book in the Henry II/Eleanor of Acquitane trilogy by the master of British medieval historical fiction. As with most of Ms. Penman's books, this one is a definite read for anyone who loves historical fiction about the early British royalty. Ms. Penman's characters are spot on and her stories are enticing. These books, though large, are hard to put down and thus turn out to be quick reads. 5 stars
Mod
My fifth, and final, book for this month. Funny, I read all fiction for this shelf, even though I have tons of non-fiction on this subject. This story is about Barbra of Austria, second wife to Afonso II, Duke of Ferrara. An interesting book, told from both the point of view of the main character, and that of the Duke's dead first wife from beyond the grave. I enjoyed reading about the characters, who have been touched upon in other books that I have read. 4 stars.
Geez, Lym M...did you do anything this month BESIDES read?! LOL
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Besides, you know how much I HATE medieval history.....NOT!
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I read Graceling by Kristin Cashore, I gave it 5 stars, it was a fantastic read and I loved the characters. Will definitely continue with the trilogy.I also tried to read The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer but it wasn't my cup of tea, I wasn't really reading the story just the words and so it seemed pointless to continue with it.
It's been I while since I've participated in this book club, but I'm glad to be back. The two books I read were Beowulf: A New Verse Translation and The Song of Roland.
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Pick-a-Shelf
Books mentioned in this topic
The Mammoth Book of Arthurian Legends (other topics)Fire (other topics)
Graceling (other topics)
Doomsday Book (other topics)
First Test (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Kristin Cashore (other topics)Connie Willis (other topics)
Geoffrey Chaucer (other topics)
Kristin Cashore (other topics)
Elizabeth Loupas (other topics)
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One request...could you make sure that you at least put your star rating on the post page so that we have a little more direction about whether or not we want to check out the full review? THanks.