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zoefruitcake's review against another edition
5.0
I started this book with no expectations and found it was actually one of the best books I have read in a while. It starts with runaway cleric, a band of players and a wild country in winter and develops into a murder mystery set in a time where justice was despatched without any investigation.
It finished too soon, I wanted to stay in that world and find out what happened next
It finished too soon, I wanted to stay in that world and find out what happened next
x_tora's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
constantreaderaaron's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
cowboyugly's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bennought's review against another edition
5.0
An interesting murder mystery that is not only set within the fascinating world of late medieval England, but is also solved through the impromptu acting of a travelling troupe of players who attempt to present a play about the murder to the townspeople. As a historian who studies, among other subjects, both theatre and medieval England, this book obviously caught my interest. I'm often put off by murder mysteries/thrillers, because they're all too often formulaic and sensational. But Unsworth uses beautiful prose and the unique methodology of 'forensic science' to create a novel that is fascinating in its style, plot, characters, and historical world. Instead of trying to beat the reader over the head with the history of the novel-- a distracting and annoying failing of many authors-- he often slides the historical facts, tidbits, etc. in smoothly so that they flow along with the story itself seamlessly. I read the entire book in a single day, in almost one sitting! While it is a fairly short book (and a quite read), this does not detract from the pull which the book had; it was a page-turner which I had much difficulty putting down.
niraghae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
alisonjfields's review against another edition
3.0
So this is a relatively engaging medieval murder mystery that is somewhat burdened by the weight of its own prose, which has the feel of trying too hard to not be anachronistic-ish and therefore calling too much attention to itself. And I get the theatrical setting and allegorical intent (see the title) but I'm not sure why tumblers need to speak like priests. I like the idea of players as amateur sleuths more than a wink at "Hamlet" there), better than their actual sleuthing (the mystery itself is not much of a headscratcher). But if you've already read all the Eco you can stomach, this will probably engage you by the poolside.
sjgrodsky's review against another edition
5.0
Which came first, the insomnia or the determination to read to the last page of this book? Nicholas, the priestly protagonist, would tell you that the answer will never be known, yea though we speculate and strain.
It’s a murder mystery. But the sonorous prose and the louwering Black Death, and the biting cold, and the blinding snow terrorize both the readers of the book and the characters that inhabit it.
Janet Evanovich writes potboilers that are murder mysteries. This is something else.
It’s a murder mystery. But the sonorous prose and the louwering Black Death, and the biting cold, and the blinding snow terrorize both the readers of the book and the characters that inhabit it.
Janet Evanovich writes potboilers that are murder mysteries. This is something else.
bluestarfish's review
3.0
A medieval mystery play stirs the actors and the town into action when the players decide to play the sad story of the town. (It isn't like Brother Cadfael even if there is a priest involved...) It was very readable and it is only a short thing so I did enjoy this even if I found the ends of each chapter a bit trying as they veered towards melodrama. Taking on a role reveals much to those playing the Morality Play of the title.