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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
The prose is a little thick in this first book, and the plot is a little understated in how it proceeds. However, the setting, premise and Cadfael himself are bright moments. Seeing how long-lived the series was, I can only assume that the books improve from here on out, so I'll give the next one a chance and see how it goes.
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm into this. I've been reading about the Plantagets and time period known as The Anarchy, and so when I found out about a mystery series set in this time frame I was down. This first book isn't really about the politics of the time -- the second one, which I'm reading now, is more so -- but I loved the setting and it's really cozy to read at bedtime.
I kinda figured out the mystery, but that was okay. I found out there was a TV show, and I found the episode that corresponded to this books. Ugh, the show is a mess, really condescending, keeping it cheap, cutting out characters, all the charm of genital warts. The casting of the lead is bad, although I've liked the actor in other things. No interest in further watching the show.
I'm happy there are more books.
I kinda figured out the mystery, but that was okay. I found out there was a TV show, and I found the episode that corresponded to this books. Ugh, the show is a mess, really condescending, keeping it cheap, cutting out characters, all the charm of genital warts. The casting of the lead is bad, although I've liked the actor in other things. No interest in further watching the show.
I'm happy there are more books.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
A solid medieval cozy, driven off of the charms of the main character. Monks in Wales! I've never seen the show, but I can see the series being great comfort food in the future.
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
Weird but pleasing little mistery with a large cast of characters (all "brothers" so hard to keep track of on Audio).
Years ago I used to run across Derek Jacobi's Brother Cadfael on PBS. I don't recall him being quite as cunning or irreverent as he is here, but I like the blend of it in my head. It's soothing. I totally wanted an utterly conventional mystery after the Luminaries. The contrast helps me think about what the Luminaries did well while still satisfying my craving for an actualfax narrative through-line. And, well, Cadfael is comforting. An older, wiser, celibate man who helps young people, sees (and listens to) women as equally valid human beings, and doesn't threaten anyone sexually? And who fights crime?! KEEP CALM & CALL BROTHER CADFAEL! <333
My more critical mind insists on adding: there are some bits of historical inaccuracy that jumped out at me and I'm anything but an expert in the time period, but I didn't and don't care. Also, FTR, these have been on my to-read list for about twenty years. Maybe I should parcel them out slowly...
My more critical mind insists on adding: there are some bits of historical inaccuracy that jumped out at me and I'm anything but an expert in the time period, but I didn't and don't care. Also, FTR, these have been on my to-read list for about twenty years. Maybe I should parcel them out slowly...
I like this series, and when I saw that the bookgroup on Cornflower Books was reading it, I got it out of the library. This is the first one and it's less sad than some of the later ones--not to spoil anything, but more of the good get good things and more of the bad are punished than is the case in her later books. Brother Cadfael is a wonderful character, and the overall view is of the middle ages as I, at least, wish they had been: full of honest, earnest people, good simple food, and a neatly resolved conflict!
First of the Cadfael series. Excellent. Enjoyed the writing style. Not a predictable story line. Feel like reading the whole series in a chain.