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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
The first of Ellis Peters Cadfael Chronicles mystery novels, which it is no next to impossible to read without imagining Derek Jacobi in the lead role.
For those not in the know, Cadfael is a medieval Welsh Benedictine Monk, who has come late to the Order in life, and who proves rather adept at solving various mysteries, as well as looking after his garden. In this one, the mystery to be solved is just who murdered the leader of the opposition to his Orders plans to relocate the bones of a local saint from the sleepy Welsh village in which she is buried to the confines of his own Order of St Peter and St Paul.
If I'm honest, I actually found this quite hard going: it never really gripped me all that much, nor made me want to read on. Perhaps this kind of novel is just not my cup of tea!
For those not in the know, Cadfael is a medieval Welsh Benedictine Monk, who has come late to the Order in life, and who proves rather adept at solving various mysteries, as well as looking after his garden. In this one, the mystery to be solved is just who murdered the leader of the opposition to his Orders plans to relocate the bones of a local saint from the sleepy Welsh village in which she is buried to the confines of his own Order of St Peter and St Paul.
If I'm honest, I actually found this quite hard going: it never really gripped me all that much, nor made me want to read on. Perhaps this kind of novel is just not my cup of tea!
mysterious
fast-paced
An engrossing historical mystery. I realized upon picking it up that I'd read it years ago, but it was interesting to revisit now!
I've heard this isn't the best in the series and I guess even the tv show doesn't start with book one 👀
The mystery is weird. Both people involved I'm just like why are you going this far??? For what xD also CADfael is appropriately named- jkjk but like this guy can't even look at a long dead woman's skull without imagining how beautiful she'd been. Like sir. Every chance he gets he's talking about his past gfs who DON'T worry, parted ways completely amicably.
I will try out a few more or the stories but this was kind of a mess. So much so I forget to mention how they accidentally killed a man and then pretended he was raptured 😂 I can't it's so funny. Or how the abbot is pissed the miracles his "saint" is working pale in comparison to others, calm down sir.
The mystery is weird. Both people involved I'm just like why are you going this far??? For what xD also CADfael is appropriately named- jkjk but like this guy can't even look at a long dead woman's skull without imagining how beautiful she'd been. Like sir. Every chance he gets he's talking about his past gfs who DON'T worry, parted ways completely amicably.
I will try out a few more or the stories but this was kind of a mess. So much so I forget to mention how they accidentally killed a man and then pretended he was raptured 😂 I can't it's so funny. Or how the abbot is pissed the miracles his "saint" is working pale in comparison to others, calm down sir.
This was a fun, cozy sort of read. I definitely enjoyed it for the most part, though I felt like the ending kind of dragged. Not particularly interested in pursuing this series.
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
This was a re-read. I read a chunk of the Cadfael books in my teenage years. This was a quick and enjoyable read. Cadfael is a great central character.
A Welshman, a Monk and a Detective. He has come late to the life of a Monk. He was a soldier and a sailor. He was a lover. He is, basically, not your typical Monk. He's also got a dry sense of humour and a solid awareness of Abbey politics whilst trying to get involved in them.
This story starts with a vision that Cadfael is a little suspicious of that leads the Monks of Shrewsbury Abbey to go to Wales where - apparently - Saint Winifred has called them. She's buried in a small Church there and claims to be neglected. The Monks, led by Prior Robert - who is determined to get some bones into Shrewsbury, turn up to take her away. Despite having the approval of the local Prince and Bishop a landlord, Rhisiart, stands against them. Prior Robert tries to bribe him, which goes down as well as you'd expect.
Rhisiart is murdered. But who is the killer? Could it be the Prior Robert himself. It seems that his colleague Jerome might be suspect. The locals certainly consider it a possibility. After all Prior Robert is a high handed Norman who has threatened them with curses for not letting Winifred leave Wales. Or is there a local suspect. It looks like it, but is everything as it seems.
Cadfael's investigation will find out.
It's rather a good introduction to the character, but I noticed that when they made the television version they waited until Season 2 before putting it on screen, which is interesting. Perhaps its overtly religious storyline isn't ideal. Plus they faffed around with it and made it much less interesting than the book. Although Derek Jacobi is perfectly cast as Cadfael imo.
Anyway. It was a nice palate cleanser before returning to more classic literary fare tomorrow.
A Welshman, a Monk and a Detective. He has come late to the life of a Monk. He was a soldier and a sailor. He was a lover. He is, basically, not your typical Monk. He's also got a dry sense of humour and a solid awareness of Abbey politics whilst trying to get involved in them.
This story starts with a vision that Cadfael is a little suspicious of that leads the Monks of Shrewsbury Abbey to go to Wales where - apparently - Saint Winifred has called them. She's buried in a small Church there and claims to be neglected. The Monks, led by Prior Robert - who is determined to get some bones into Shrewsbury, turn up to take her away. Despite having the approval of the local Prince and Bishop a landlord, Rhisiart, stands against them. Prior Robert tries to bribe him, which goes down as well as you'd expect.
Rhisiart is murdered. But who is the killer? Could it be the Prior Robert himself. It seems that his colleague Jerome might be suspect. The locals certainly consider it a possibility. After all Prior Robert is a high handed Norman who has threatened them with curses for not letting Winifred leave Wales. Or is there a local suspect. It looks like it, but is everything as it seems.
Cadfael's investigation will find out.
It's rather a good introduction to the character, but I noticed that when they made the television version they waited until Season 2 before putting it on screen, which is interesting. Perhaps its overtly religious storyline isn't ideal. Plus they faffed around with it and made it much less interesting than the book. Although Derek Jacobi is perfectly cast as Cadfael imo.
Anyway. It was a nice palate cleanser before returning to more classic literary fare tomorrow.