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eclectictales's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC of this novel as part of a book blog tour that I participated in. This review in its entirety was originally posted at caffeinatedlife.net: http://www.caffeinatedlife.net/blog/2014/10/20/review-the-sharp-hook-of-love-giveaway/
The Sharp Hook of Love invites the reader into the story of Abelard and Heloise and the world they live in from the very first page. I love how the story is narrated from Heloise’s perspective as her backstory and circumstances were interesting and has potential for drama and obstacles (namely in the form of her uncle, Fulbert (insert groan here)), not to mention a bit of mystery and intrigue (who was her father? Why did her mother abandon her and left plans that she be an abbess someday?). Through Heloise’s perspective, the reader also gains a sense of what it’s like for women living in this time perio. Heloise is also a very intelligent and thoughtful woman, and while her opportunities for furthering her education and making a career out of her brilliance are few, the education and discourse that she was able to receive is still impressive. The reader is also exposed to the prevalent ideas and philosophers that were studied at the time, which were all really informative.
As for her relationship with Abelard…the feels! Her love for Abelard, coupled with quotes at the start of each chapter from their letters, is really all-compassing, passionate, sweet, even as they go through the ups and downs, the moments of passion and the moments of hardship and separation and all the other trials that go through. It’s honestly a bit of a difficult read, knowing how their story pans out, and all of the problems they have to face along the way. And in the end it’s utterly heartbreaking how these two people who found each other, respect and admire each other’s intellect and opinions, and who love each other despite of the other’s faults and circumstances, just can’t live the rest of their lives together and in peace.
The Sharp Hook of Love does a lovely job in bringing Abelard and Heloise’s story to a narrative outside of the letters that have survived between them. Secondary characters that populate this novel were also interesting, from the loyal Jean to the brutish Fulbert, and medieval French life–both in the city and in the countryside–is wonderfully brought to life through these pages. You may have to be in a particular mood to read their story (lest you end up flailing over their circumstances and what drives them apart in the end), but it’s a deeply-felt romance that also raises some interesting and philosophical questions about the nature and impact of love.
The Sharp Hook of Love invites the reader into the story of Abelard and Heloise and the world they live in from the very first page. I love how the story is narrated from Heloise’s perspective as her backstory and circumstances were interesting and has potential for drama and obstacles (namely in the form of her uncle, Fulbert (insert groan here)), not to mention a bit of mystery and intrigue (who was her father? Why did her mother abandon her and left plans that she be an abbess someday?). Through Heloise’s perspective, the reader also gains a sense of what it’s like for women living in this time perio. Heloise is also a very intelligent and thoughtful woman, and while her opportunities for furthering her education and making a career out of her brilliance are few, the education and discourse that she was able to receive is still impressive. The reader is also exposed to the prevalent ideas and philosophers that were studied at the time, which were all really informative.
As for her relationship with Abelard…the feels! Her love for Abelard, coupled with quotes at the start of each chapter from their letters, is really all-compassing, passionate, sweet, even as they go through the ups and downs, the moments of passion and the moments of hardship and separation and all the other trials that go through. It’s honestly a bit of a difficult read, knowing how their story pans out, and all of the problems they have to face along the way. And in the end it’s utterly heartbreaking how these two people who found each other, respect and admire each other’s intellect and opinions, and who love each other despite of the other’s faults and circumstances, just can’t live the rest of their lives together and in peace.
The Sharp Hook of Love does a lovely job in bringing Abelard and Heloise’s story to a narrative outside of the letters that have survived between them. Secondary characters that populate this novel were also interesting, from the loyal Jean to the brutish Fulbert, and medieval French life–both in the city and in the countryside–is wonderfully brought to life through these pages. You may have to be in a particular mood to read their story (lest you end up flailing over their circumstances and what drives them apart in the end), but it’s a deeply-felt romance that also raises some interesting and philosophical questions about the nature and impact of love.
katejeminhizer's review against another edition
5.0
Passionate, captivating, spell-binding, thought provoking. Sherry Jones does a phenomenal job at weaving primary sources in with her own vivid imagination. The use of first person narrative provides an intense relationship between the reader and the characters.You will feel their love and their joy. You will feel their pain and their sorrow. You will find topics of discussion throughout. This is not just a flippant love story, but one that truly captures the essence of the culture that Heloise and Abelard lived in. A brilliant work that brings this beautiful story to light to be enjoyed by all.
tanyarobinson's review against another edition
3.0
When I was in graduate school one of my medieval Latin assignments was to translate some of Abelard and Heloise's love letters. I remember thinking that their story could make a great novel. The Sharp Hook of Love is Sherry Jones' attempt at that creation. In her afterward she talks about how she wanted to convey the purity and selflessness of Heloise's love, but I just didn't buy it. Even after she tried to paint everything in its best light, I thought Abelard was a selfish seducer, that Heloise let him walk all over her, and that they both were so weak as to let their lust destroy them. I recognize that their situation was pretty hopeless, but still... Have I mentioned how grateful I am to be a woman in modern America instead of any other time or place?
bethvf's review against another edition
Couldn't get into it. Will try again some other time.
colleenlovestoread's review against another edition
5.0
The Sharp Hook of Love might be one of the most poetic and beautifully written novels I have read in quite some time. I found myself rereading passages out loud just to hear them spoken. The way the author included quotes from the lovers' letters to each other really helped solidify not only the ardent love they experienced but the hurt, fear and confusion that came from going against the destinies set before them and the political, religious and societal norms and rules they were breaking at every turn.
What I enjoyed even more than the beautiful writing, however, was the unbelievable complexity of the feelings between Heloise and Abelard. Both of these characters are flawed in their own way and yet their love is true and deep. Abelard is brilliant beyond compare in so many ways - he's a poet, philosopher, teacher, singer and songwriter - and he has no problem letting everyone know it! At times he comes off as arrogant, rude and manipulative and I found myself questioning his motives in regards to Heloise. Then as the story progressed I discovered how much he actually sacrificed for love and I realized that any man who didn't love a woman as he loved Heloise wouldn't have risked all he did to be with her whenever he could. Heloise isn't perfect herself, conducting her love affair under her uncle's roof knowing full well she is meant for the abbey and, feeling abandoned and pained, eventually elicits the help of this very same uncle, who she knows wants nothing more than to bring down Abelard, inadvertently taking away any chance of the two living happily-ever-after. These very imperfections are what makes this love story feel so real, unusual and meant to go down in history. No matter what they do to each other that sharp hook embedded in each of their hearts will never let go!
It is quite clear that Sherry Jones did a good amount of research into not only these two captivating people's lives but also into the environment they lived in. The descriptions of the architecture, the streets and the people all come to life on the page. To fully immerse themselves in the story the reader has to also fully immerse themselves in the time and place in which their lives unfold, and the author makes this easy to do. Heloise's vibrant intelligence and wit is not appreciated or, seemingly, wanted in her lifetime and she has very few choices when the men in her life try to determine what course her future should take. This was very hard to read at times, especially given the sacrifices she will have to make (I don't want to give too much away!), but this makes the choices she does make that much more poignant and heartbreaking. The author does not shy away from the very real and very harsh historical truths and I, for one, really appreciate that when reading historical fiction.
The Sharp Hook of Love presents a love story out of time and one, given the time it DOES fall into, seemingly destined to fail. However these two intelligent and determined people will not let their world dictate what they feel in their hearts and, even given all the hurt caused, both want nothing but each other when their last days arrive. This is a heartbreaking and tragic story yet one that is also inspiring and completely captivating.
What I enjoyed even more than the beautiful writing, however, was the unbelievable complexity of the feelings between Heloise and Abelard. Both of these characters are flawed in their own way and yet their love is true and deep. Abelard is brilliant beyond compare in so many ways - he's a poet, philosopher, teacher, singer and songwriter - and he has no problem letting everyone know it! At times he comes off as arrogant, rude and manipulative and I found myself questioning his motives in regards to Heloise. Then as the story progressed I discovered how much he actually sacrificed for love and I realized that any man who didn't love a woman as he loved Heloise wouldn't have risked all he did to be with her whenever he could. Heloise isn't perfect herself, conducting her love affair under her uncle's roof knowing full well she is meant for the abbey and, feeling abandoned and pained, eventually elicits the help of this very same uncle, who she knows wants nothing more than to bring down Abelard, inadvertently taking away any chance of the two living happily-ever-after. These very imperfections are what makes this love story feel so real, unusual and meant to go down in history. No matter what they do to each other that sharp hook embedded in each of their hearts will never let go!
It is quite clear that Sherry Jones did a good amount of research into not only these two captivating people's lives but also into the environment they lived in. The descriptions of the architecture, the streets and the people all come to life on the page. To fully immerse themselves in the story the reader has to also fully immerse themselves in the time and place in which their lives unfold, and the author makes this easy to do. Heloise's vibrant intelligence and wit is not appreciated or, seemingly, wanted in her lifetime and she has very few choices when the men in her life try to determine what course her future should take. This was very hard to read at times, especially given the sacrifices she will have to make (I don't want to give too much away!), but this makes the choices she does make that much more poignant and heartbreaking. The author does not shy away from the very real and very harsh historical truths and I, for one, really appreciate that when reading historical fiction.
The Sharp Hook of Love presents a love story out of time and one, given the time it DOES fall into, seemingly destined to fail. However these two intelligent and determined people will not let their world dictate what they feel in their hearts and, even given all the hurt caused, both want nothing but each other when their last days arrive. This is a heartbreaking and tragic story yet one that is also inspiring and completely captivating.
ishnite's review
2.0
While the writing was good, this love story is like a roller coaster; not one of thrills but one that left me nauseous and with a bad taste in my mouth. In other words, not my kind of love story.
abookishaffair's review
5.0
4.5 stars. "The Sharp Hook of Love" is a historical fiction story that surrounds the lives of real-life star-crossed lovers, Heloise and Abelard. It is hard to think of a couple with a story that is both filled with equal amounts of romance and tragedy. Heloise and Abelard have sometimes been called the real-life Romeo and Juliet but in this humble reader's opinion, their story may be even more tragic and more heart wrenching. Historical lovers may be familiar with the story of Heloise and Abelard but Jones breathes new life into this love story that had me reading with bated breath.
The main characters in this book are completely compelling and kept me turning the pages. Heloise was a woman before her time. She had a promising life as a scholar and so many in her family were pushing her to follow in her famous mother's footprints. Abelard is a scholar in his own right. They challenge each other mentally through pondering through theology and philosophy together. They fall for each other wholeheartedly but of course, as we know from history, their love was not allowed to be. Because I was so drawn to the characters and liked how their romance unfolded, I so wanted their ending to be different. Even if you know how things end for them, you will still find yourself rooting for Heloise and Abelard.
I was drawn in by not only the characters but the setting and historical detail as well. This book is definitely a feast for the mind for readers. Jones vividly paints a great picture of what life was like for Heloise and Abelard. We see Heloise's family's excitement over her future turn to devastation as they realize how her independent mind is messing up their plans. We also get a good glimpse at French society is during the time. This detail was fantastic and really helped me to understand just how forbidden and how scandalous Heloise and Abelard's relationship must have seemed at the time. This is definitely a book that I am going to be thinking about for a long, long time!
The main characters in this book are completely compelling and kept me turning the pages. Heloise was a woman before her time. She had a promising life as a scholar and so many in her family were pushing her to follow in her famous mother's footprints. Abelard is a scholar in his own right. They challenge each other mentally through pondering through theology and philosophy together. They fall for each other wholeheartedly but of course, as we know from history, their love was not allowed to be. Because I was so drawn to the characters and liked how their romance unfolded, I so wanted their ending to be different. Even if you know how things end for them, you will still find yourself rooting for Heloise and Abelard.
I was drawn in by not only the characters but the setting and historical detail as well. This book is definitely a feast for the mind for readers. Jones vividly paints a great picture of what life was like for Heloise and Abelard. We see Heloise's family's excitement over her future turn to devastation as they realize how her independent mind is messing up their plans. We also get a good glimpse at French society is during the time. This detail was fantastic and really helped me to understand just how forbidden and how scandalous Heloise and Abelard's relationship must have seemed at the time. This is definitely a book that I am going to be thinking about for a long, long time!
catniprocks's review
3.0
I"m having a hard time with this one. I'm trying very hard not to judge the story through a contemporary lens but man, it's hard. The book is well written and the language is beautiful, but boy I would have loved to step back in time and smack some sense in to the heroine. Our 'hero' is vain, rakish, and completely self-serving. Our heroine is supposed to be the most learned lady of her time. Her intellect is known throughout France, but we don't see much evidence of this in the story. Once they fall in love, she is full on obsessed with him and that's all that's talked about. No science, no debate, no philosophy other than the philosophy of love.
In the end, it wasn't a bad book and I'll probably pick up another by the author because the writing was lovely. I guess my 21st century mind just couldn't really sink into the 12th century way of life (thank god!).
In the end, it wasn't a bad book and I'll probably pick up another by the author because the writing was lovely. I guess my 21st century mind just couldn't really sink into the 12th century way of life (thank god!).
inkdrinkermal's review
4.0
I really loved how this story moved along. It was fast paced especially for a love story. What a tragic love story it was though...
I don't know much about this period in history, but it was difficult to read about the sexism, intolerance, and harsh judgments of the Catholic church. Heloise was ahead of her time by centuries as an educated woman who argued for woman's equality in education.
I don't know much about this period in history, but it was difficult to read about the sexism, intolerance, and harsh judgments of the Catholic church. Heloise was ahead of her time by centuries as an educated woman who argued for woman's equality in education.
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