Reviews

The Leper of Saint Giles by Ellis Peters

jkeenereads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

english_lady03's review against another edition

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4.0

Almost identical to the TV adaptation again. It looks like Cadfael series 1 followed the novels very, very closely. The only difference is that its Sheriff Prescote who presides over the attempts to apprehend the supposed miscreant instead of our famous under-sheriff Hugh Beringar. (Played by Sean Pertwee in the TV adaptation).

I am noticing a little of the formula of Ellis Peter's Cadfael novels here. Beautiful young person gets wrongly accused of murder, and Cadfael has to get them out of it. Said beautiful young person is usually associated with pretty and innocent girl.

Some might say that some of the characters are a little lacking in substance, and maybe I agree. Iveta is so convinced that her beloved could never do anything wrong, and despite Cadfael constantly musing on the capacity of all humans for wrongdoing, he seems to accept that without question.

Nevertheless, the Leper of St Giles was the first episode of Cadfael I ever watched, and I was hooked from that moment. So the story still holds a special place in my affections.

I'd recommend this for all lovers of Medieval Mysteries and the Cadfael stories, but I wonder if this weakness will continue for the rest of the series. I've listened to 2 other Cadfael stories which weren't adapted for television, and they were quite different from the ones which were.

applegnreads's review against another edition

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3.0

I read this one out of order...

raptorimperator's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious 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? Yes

3.75

Brother Cadfael just can't resist when two young lover need help. He's always a romantic at heart, and can't help but right wrongs whenever he sees them. This tale had all the hallmarks that make a Brother Cadfael story so enjoyable.

hannog's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

murdrean's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

4.5

vorsoisson's review against another edition

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It is perhaps not the best sign that I thought I was reading this for the first time in February 2018 and Goodreads is informing me that I read it back in 2011, but it was still a very restful read. I should read more Brother Cadfael. Different Bother Cadfaels, even.

soniapage's review against another edition

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4.0

My favorite of the series so far even though it revolved around the tired old story of the beautiful young girl (they are always beautiful) being forced into marriage to an old ogre by her grasping relations.

As always, Brother Cadfael solves the crime with his own peculiar twist on "law and order".

chaifanatic18's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

jess64au's review against another edition

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medium-paced

4.0

A typical historical romantic mystery.