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rojulian's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
jackc5755's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kleonard's review against another edition
5.0
An astonishing and brilliant book intended to--and effective at--capturing the world and language of late 14th-century England. A former priest, an archer, and a noblewoman on the run find themselves traveling together to Calais in a time of plague, war, and uncertainty. Exploring social mores, religious belief, gender, sexuality, politics, and more, Meek creates a wondrous tale of resistance and persistence.
bioarla's review against another edition
3.0
In To Calais, in Ordinary Time we have a mixed group of people travelling to Calais in 1348 England: a group of bowmen with questionable reputation, a young herdsman joining the archers to fight the French and gain the status of free man, a young noblewoman fleeing from an undesired marriage and a failed proctor. We are in the year of the Black Death, when plague spreads throughout Europe and our characters are also chased by the disease during their journey and encounters on the path towards Calais.
What is truly remarkable and extraordinary about the novel is the use of three different variants of Middle Age English by the characters: the archers speak a English dialect with strong Saxon influence; the noblewoman's English has a vocabulary enriched with French-derived words, whereas latin influence is noticeable when the proctor is the narrator. To me, this feature is what really stands out for this book, but at the same time it accounts for the resulting slow pace in reading. The plot, though interesting, is not particularly innovative and sometimes I had the impression it was just an excuse for justifying the linguistic stylistic choices (like an exercise in style), rather than the focus of the book.
What is truly remarkable and extraordinary about the novel is the use of three different variants of Middle Age English by the characters: the archers speak a English dialect with strong Saxon influence; the noblewoman's English has a vocabulary enriched with French-derived words, whereas latin influence is noticeable when the proctor is the narrator. To me, this feature is what really stands out for this book, but at the same time it accounts for the resulting slow pace in reading. The plot, though interesting, is not particularly innovative and sometimes I had the impression it was just an excuse for justifying the linguistic stylistic choices (like an exercise in style), rather than the focus of the book.
jameskeates's review against another edition
3.0
A historical novel written in three historical voices - peasant, noble and clerical - which takes some getting used to. It is internally consistent (I've read a lot worse "olde englishe") , so you can follow with time and focus. However, I didn't really connect with the story or characters to make it feel worth the effort. The horror of the plague in particular didn't come through - we saw empty towns but although they kept dropping like flies none of the main characters ever seemed that scared!
krobart's review against another edition
3.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2021/09/21/review-1726-to-calais-in-ordinary-time/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2021/09/21/review-1726-to-calais-in-ordinary-time/
kybrz's review against another edition
4.0
Two years following the historic Battle of Crecy, a score of archers gather to return to Calais and to combat. On their long road to the coast they are joined by fellow travelers and the plague. Will Quate a young bondsman joins up, hoping to buy his freedom and marry his love. Bernadine, the daughter of Will's noble landowner, flees a loveless marriage proposal. Cess, a woman in bondage with one of the archers, taken from her home 2 years ago and desperate to return. They are joined on the road by a large cast of characters, each searching for something on the road to Calais. As the miles and time passes, we learn of the class struggles that defined 14th century England. And more than anything we dwell on complicity and guilt, what it means, and who is responsible.
chirson's review against another edition
4.0
Took me a little while to get into the rhythm of this novel, but around 1/3 I became invested, and at 2/3 it was no longer putdownable, despite the somewhat difficult language. Wonderful ending, lovely ventriloquism, and a fitting read for when between coughing fits. Life-affirming, as pandemic novels often are.