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frater's review against another edition
2.0
I'm usually a fan of Cadfael but this "mystery" is not as excellent as may be claimed by the title. The writing is evocative as always, the characters well drawn and believeable, but the issue with this particular novel is the plot - in that nothing really happens.
By the sixth chapter, the big "reveal" is already painfully obvious, the hints d0led out through the rest of the novel border on condescending in their obviousness, and even the question of how exactly Cadfael is going to untwist everything into a happy ending feels a bit trite and boring by the end. The solution borders very closely on a deus ex machina, and though that may be thematically appropriate for a mystery solving monk, it's still unsatisfying in a novel.
By the sixth chapter, the big "reveal" is already painfully obvious, the hints d0led out through the rest of the novel border on condescending in their obviousness, and even the question of how exactly Cadfael is going to untwist everything into a happy ending feels a bit trite and boring by the end. The solution borders very closely on a deus ex machina, and though that may be thematically appropriate for a mystery solving monk, it's still unsatisfying in a novel.
margardenlady's review against another edition
5.0
Cadfael is helping a fellow soldier turned brother in this story. Brother Humilis has injuries from war that are threatening his health. He is attended by a mute brother - Brother Fidèles. As his health declines Humilis wishes to visit his home one last time. The voyage proves to be a turning point.
hopeevey's review against another edition
4.0
It's been far too long since I've read about Brother Cadfael's exploits :) The narration was lovely.
kizzia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thearomaofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This is actually one of my favorite Cadfael books, and I’m not sure that I can exactly describe why. I won’t try to describe the entire story, but towards the beginning of the book, a monk, Brother Humilis, comes to stay at the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. While not an old man, he fought in the Crusades and was terribly injured there. And though he was somewhat recovered, he is still dying, slowly. Traveling with him is another brother, Brother Fidelis. Though mute, Fidelis shows his devotion to Humilis through his constant, tender service.
There is just something so very beautiful about this friendship, about the care that Fidelis gives, and the gracious and humble way in which Humilis receives it. This man who was once a great and famous soldier, now reduced to a shadow of his former self, who laid aside even his name (for Humilis was not his name in the world) and accepted the burdens he was given–this man is a profound example of one who is willing to receive, even with thankfulness and praise, God’s will. And Fidelis–simple, quiet, constant service, the every-day laying aside of himself to give to one he loves.
The other stories that are woven throughout this book are thoughtful as well, exploring love and loss and lust and courage and sacrifice and forgiveness. I have a bit more to say about this, but cannot do so without spoilers...
We find, during the story, that Godfrid Marescot (who later becomes Humilis) had not thought to ever marry, for he was a younger brother and had no need to produce an heir. But just before he left for battle, his brother died. And so Marescot was pledged to marry a girl on his return. As that would not be for several years, a decade even, perhaps, he chose a girl who was only around ten at the time, a common enough practice in 1141 England.
And so, Marescot goes to battle, and is wounded there–while Peters isn’t explicit, it’s implied that the injury was to his groin area, leaving him unable to produce children. Because of this, Marescot releases his affianced bride, whom he has not seen since she was a child, from her betrothal, and enters the monastery, becoming the quiet Brother Humilis. Through the twists and turns of the story, we discover that the bride, thought to have traveled safely to take her vows and become a nun, actually never arrived at her abbey, and thus has been missing for three years. By the end of the story, we have learned that Brother Fidelus is actually that bride, who grew up knowing of and admiring her future husband, full of reverent hero-worship. Despite the differences in their ages, she yearned to be a good wife to him. And so, she disguised herself as a young man (with the help of an old and trusted servant, who was supposed to be escorting her to the abbey) and became Brother Fidelis, willingly taking on years of silence and disguise in order to serve the man she considered her husband.
The very end of the book quotes from the Scripture, when Saint Paul reminds us that the marriage of a man and a woman is ‘an excellent mystery,’ and suddenly the title of this book, which initially seems like a bit of a cop-out (calling a mystery an excellent mystery? Really?) becomes beautiful and poignant.
This entire book is just so deep and rich in its exploration of humanity, frailty, failure, triumph, and love–it’s incredibly beautiful. I cannot recommend these books highly enough.
There is just something so very beautiful about this friendship, about the care that Fidelis gives, and the gracious and humble way in which Humilis receives it. This man who was once a great and famous soldier, now reduced to a shadow of his former self, who laid aside even his name (for Humilis was not his name in the world) and accepted the burdens he was given–this man is a profound example of one who is willing to receive, even with thankfulness and praise, God’s will. And Fidelis–simple, quiet, constant service, the every-day laying aside of himself to give to one he loves.
The other stories that are woven throughout this book are thoughtful as well, exploring love and loss and lust and courage and sacrifice and forgiveness. I have a bit more to say about this, but cannot do so without spoilers...
And so, Marescot goes to battle, and is wounded there–while Peters isn’t explicit, it’s implied that the injury was to his groin area, leaving him unable to produce children. Because of this, Marescot releases his affianced bride, whom he has not seen since she was a child, from her betrothal, and enters the monastery, becoming the quiet Brother Humilis. Through the twists and turns of the story, we discover that the bride, thought to have traveled safely to take her vows and become a nun, actually never arrived at her abbey, and thus has been missing for three years. By the end of the story, we have learned that Brother Fidelus is actually that bride, who grew up knowing of and admiring her future husband, full of reverent hero-worship. Despite the differences in their ages, she yearned to be a good wife to him. And so, she disguised herself as a young man (with the help of an old and trusted servant, who was supposed to be escorting her to the abbey) and became Brother Fidelis, willingly taking on years of silence and disguise in order to serve the man she considered her husband.
The very end of the book quotes from the Scripture, when Saint Paul reminds us that the marriage of a man and a woman is ‘an excellent mystery,’ and suddenly the title of this book, which initially seems like a bit of a cop-out (calling a mystery an excellent mystery? Really?) becomes beautiful and poignant.
This entire book is just so deep and rich in its exploration of humanity, frailty, failure, triumph, and love–it’s incredibly beautiful. I cannot recommend these books highly enough.
thatrabbitgirl's review against another edition
4.0
First read in February 2011. Re-read in September 2016.
matt99stevens's review against another edition
5.0
A very satisfying end to her most unusual mystery. This is one of those mysteries where you know the "whodunit" early, but because you like the characters, you want to see how they orchestrate the resolution.
brian's review against another edition
4.0
The war between Stephen and Maude continues, leading to the sacking of Winchester.
Two monks make their way to Shrewsbury and meet up with Cadfael.
Add in a previous fiancee of one of the monks before he took the cloth who is missing presumed dead, and another mystery comes into Cadfaels hands.
There isn't a lot of detective work on Cadfael's part in this book, but he still moves between the central characters as he works out the puzzle.
The main story is a bit predictable, but the conclusion is done well.
Two monks make their way to Shrewsbury and meet up with Cadfael.
Add in a previous fiancee of one of the monks before he took the cloth who is missing presumed dead, and another mystery comes into Cadfaels hands.
There isn't a lot of detective work on Cadfael's part in this book, but he still moves between the central characters as he works out the puzzle.
The main story is a bit predictable, but the conclusion is done well.