Scan barcode
doriastories's review against another edition
5.0
SPOILERS
Ah, so fun to read!! It's like eating cheesecake: sinful and rich, yet also nourishing, and even, arguably, nutritious. I think I loved this particular Cadfael so much because it had to do with one person's obsessive, murderous love of a particular book. Most of the Cadfael books deal with more prosaic (heh heh, get the pun??!) or predictable motives for murder - jealousy, greed, etc. The motive of insatiable book-hunger took me by surprise, hidden as it was behind the plot's focus on a heresy accusation.
This dangerous passion took a long time to reveal itself, and left me curious to know the history and development of the man who burned inwardly with the need to possess certain books at any cost to his body and soul. Reminded me of Umberto Eco's "Name of the Rose" to a certain extent, although there, the murderer was driven by a warped love/hate for a particular book and its contents. A book addiction was not an easy habit to feed during the 12th century; it took this 21st century reader some pondering to get to the heart of the insatiable longing that serious readers who didn't have a church vocation must have suffered, in their difficult quest to obtain forbidden fruits. Thank goodness for libraries!
Ah, so fun to read!! It's like eating cheesecake: sinful and rich, yet also nourishing, and even, arguably, nutritious. I think I loved this particular Cadfael so much because it had to do with one person's obsessive, murderous love of a particular book. Most of the Cadfael books deal with more prosaic (heh heh, get the pun??!) or predictable motives for murder - jealousy, greed, etc. The motive of insatiable book-hunger took me by surprise, hidden as it was behind the plot's focus on a heresy accusation.
This dangerous passion took a long time to reveal itself, and left me curious to know the history and development of the man who burned inwardly with the need to possess certain books at any cost to his body and soul. Reminded me of Umberto Eco's "Name of the Rose" to a certain extent, although there, the murderer was driven by a warped love/hate for a particular book and its contents. A book addiction was not an easy habit to feed during the 12th century; it took this 21st century reader some pondering to get to the heart of the insatiable longing that serious readers who didn't have a church vocation must have suffered, in their difficult quest to obtain forbidden fruits. Thank goodness for libraries!
dezignstyler's review against another edition
1.0
This book is very short, but it was so boring, I couldn't even finish it.
margardenlady's review against another edition
5.0
Derek Jacobi reading - isn't that enough for 5 stars? Seriously a wonderful listen. Cadfael (one of my heroes) is plunged into a dark scene, when a serving man, who brought his master's bones back to the abbey for burial. The master and the man get accused of heresy and a dowry gift becomes an object to covet, leading to dire consequences. Cool heads prevail in the end. A lesson to not covet inherent in the themes.
kizzia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
elzbethmrgn's review against another edition
3.0
Woah, this one branched out from requisite dead body (check) and mystery murderer (check) and happily-ever-after (check) into medieval theology! I'm here for it.
cspiwak's review against another edition
4.0
Good, if simple, mystery. Enjoy the ethical explorations of the cardinal books, you understand why the bad things are done, no simple good /evil scenarios. As always, bit of mystery w bit of romance
More...