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A review by cleheny
The Pilgrim of Hate by Ellis Peters
3.0
The second of the Cadfael mysteries in which Olivier de Bretagne appears, The Pilgrim of Hate is among the darker forays. Peters' mystery centers on the obsessive relationship between Matthew and Ciaran. At least the romantic couple in this book have spent several days together before they appear in the book, which at least gives the illusion that they may have actually gotten to know each other before they fell in love (though Peters strongly suggests that they, once again, fell in love at first glance).
Rhun is unbelievably saintly, but, fortunately, there are enough competing stories--Matthew and Ciarin, Matthew and Melangel, Empress Maud's apparent triumph over Stephen, the four conmen/cutpurses, Hugh and Olivier meeting and becoming nascent friends, Olivier's and Cadfael's second meeting--that Rhun's unparalleled goodness comes in small enough doses that it doesn't become cloying.
Rhun is unbelievably saintly, but, fortunately, there are enough competing stories--Matthew and Ciarin, Matthew and Melangel, Empress Maud's apparent triumph over Stephen, the four conmen/cutpurses, Hugh and Olivier meeting and becoming nascent friends, Olivier's and Cadfael's second meeting--that Rhun's unparalleled goodness comes in small enough doses that it doesn't become cloying.