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english_lady03's review against another edition
4.0
The Sanctuary Sparrow was another one of the Cadfael stories for which the TV adaptation followed the book. Almost exactly, in fact. The Sanctuary Sparrow was never one of my favourite Cadfael stories, I admit but I did enjoy it.
My main problem was Cadfael himself. Although I adore this series, and always will, although I am the proud owner of the boxset of the TV series and all of the novels- there's always been something slightly "off" about Cadfael himself for me.
I think I've recently put my finger on what it is. Cadfael is willing to condone any action, no matter how immoral if done in the name of "love". In this book, its a young couple having sex in a small alcove behind of the altars in the Abbey.
I think he would take this to the point of letting murderers off, there's an implication he has done this before (spoiler alert for Monk's Hood). Not only is this this mean Cadfael's character is not "of his time", it just comes over as kind of contrary to other aspsects of his character and the plot.
My main problem was Cadfael himself. Although I adore this series, and always will, although I am the proud owner of the boxset of the TV series and all of the novels- there's always been something slightly "off" about Cadfael himself for me.
I think I've recently put my finger on what it is. Cadfael is willing to condone any action, no matter how immoral if done in the name of "love". In this book, its a young couple having sex in a small alcove behind of the altars in the Abbey.
I think he would take this to the point of letting murderers off, there's an implication he has done this before (spoiler alert for Monk's Hood). Not only is this this mean Cadfael's character is not "of his time", it just comes over as kind of contrary to other aspsects of his character and the plot.
jess64au's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A solid historical mystery as your would expect from a Cadfael book. It is not my favourite of the series, but enjoyable non the less.
lisajh5858's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
samphope's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
bookwrm526's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
bluestarfish's review against another edition
3.0
I couldn't remember which one in the series I had got to so picked this one up and enjoyed it. Brother Cadfael tends the ill in Shrewsbury and sleuths away most enjoyably. A minstrel claims sanctuary in the abbey after a robbery when the townsmen get a bit hasty and try dealing out rough and ready justice.
toadie's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.0
garnetofeden's review against another edition
4.0
Some of the earlier books in the Brother Cadfael series are oddly 'chaste' considering the time period they are set in. This volume's topic perhaps was not as dark as the preceding volume, but it still involves more sensuality than some of the earlier books.
Rating reviewed 12/26/2022.
Rating reviewed 12/26/2022.