What do you think?
Rate this book
The Rope Dancer
The romance of Carys, the lovely, spirited rope dancer, and Telor, the minstrel who awakens her to the joys and pains of love, is set against the richly textured pageantry, perils, intrigue, and passions of twelfth-century England
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
17 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Roberta Gellis
56 books184 followersRoberta Gellis has been one of the most successful writers of historical fiction of the last few decades, having published about 25 meticulously researched historical novels since 1964. She was married to her husband Charles for over 50 years and they lived together in Lafayette, Indiana with a lively Lakeland terrier called Taffy. She has one child called Mark.
Her page at the Internet Speculative Fiction DataBase
Her page at the Internet Speculative Fiction DataBase
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 9, 2011
This one is a favorite of mine by RG. The heroine instead of being a highborn lady is a wandering player with a troupe of troubadour types. Very well constructed story.
December 17, 2024
Maybe 3.5 stars? Not super romantic but good historical fiction, almost felt like fantasy/adventure with the three-uniquely-skilled-traveling-friends set up. Interesting depictions of medieval troupe life.
September 14, 2020
This book was better than I thought it would be. The middle was a little slow but stay with it if you decidte to read it because the ending gets very exciting.
January 11, 2015
Barely started reading this, then I lost it. sigh That doesn't happen with e-books. Now that I've found it again I'm going to put it back in my TBR pile.
Upon finding and reading-
This is a very good story, not your typical plot at all. I loved the feel of the road and the friendship that develops between Carys, Telor and Deri. It's a view of Medieval life you don't often get, realistic enough that it feels believable but not disgusting or too dark. Plenty of adventure that never overshadows the relationships between these people. And they don't think and act like modern Westerners , which is nice, too. Just lovely.
Upon finding and reading-
This is a very good story, not your typical plot at all. I loved the feel of the road and the friendship that develops between Carys, Telor and Deri. It's a view of Medieval life you don't often get, realistic enough that it feels believable but not disgusting or too dark. Plenty of adventure that never overshadows the relationships between these people. And they don't think and act like modern Westerners , which is nice, too. Just lovely.
July 25, 2023
It's always been a frustration of mine that there aren't more historical romances featuring commoner heroes and heroines, and that 99% of most books in this genre are hyperfocused on the nobility. Which is fine in small doses, but non-titled people had romance-worthy lives too!
Anyway, enter The Rope Dancer by Roberta Gellis, grande dame of medieval historical romance. I had this book on my shelves for years, because-- despite the banger, action packed opening-- I was put off by the omniscient tell-don't-show POV (with bonus headhopping). But I had just finished Gellis's Greek Myths series, which I highly recommend. So I decided to give The Rope Dancer another try.
A good thing I did, dear reader, because I was HOOKED. Carys is a wily, street-smart rope dancer who-- after escaping a keep where her man was slain-- is rescued by a gentle but stubborn minstrel, Telor, and his fierce dwarf companion, the yeoman's son Deri. It's set during the civil wars of the 11th century, but Carys's focus is more on survival than politics. She finds herself thrust into danger anyway, as she, Telor and Deri find that the political stakes have become extremely personal, and they must all work together to ensure that they live to see another day.
I'm very careful not to give away ANY spoilers here, because I think this is a good book everyone should read. It's a miracle that I found a romance from almost 40 years ago that didn't piss me off, and I love it. Telor is a good guy but not a wimp, while Carys is a complex, competent woman with agency who doesn't devolve into girlbossery-- and she parkours! in a book written in 1986! The side characters are great too, with a touching and realistic depiction of Deri's disability and trauma from being caught up in the wars.
My only issues with the book are the omniscient POV, with occasional headhopping and infodumping. Gellis's writing was much more taut and focused in the 1990s, while her earlier work tends to do "blah blah blah medieval politics" (which is why it took me so long to get into her books). Also, while there's great sexual tension, the sex scenes in The Rope Dancer leave something to be desired. But at least it's not rapey or non-con, which is very unusual for something written in the '80s.
With that said, I did love this book. It's a rollicking, high-stakes adventure with amazing characterization, and a fascinating depiction of the 11th century with characters who believably fit in that era, and a nice slow burn romance with two lovable leads. If this sounds at all interesting to you, I recommend it!
Anyway, enter The Rope Dancer by Roberta Gellis, grande dame of medieval historical romance. I had this book on my shelves for years, because-- despite the banger, action packed opening-- I was put off by the omniscient tell-don't-show POV (with bonus headhopping). But I had just finished Gellis's Greek Myths series, which I highly recommend. So I decided to give The Rope Dancer another try.
A good thing I did, dear reader, because I was HOOKED. Carys is a wily, street-smart rope dancer who-- after escaping a keep where her man was slain-- is rescued by a gentle but stubborn minstrel, Telor, and his fierce dwarf companion, the yeoman's son Deri. It's set during the civil wars of the 11th century, but Carys's focus is more on survival than politics. She finds herself thrust into danger anyway, as she, Telor and Deri find that the political stakes have become extremely personal, and they must all work together to ensure that they live to see another day.
I'm very careful not to give away ANY spoilers here, because I think this is a good book everyone should read. It's a miracle that I found a romance from almost 40 years ago that didn't piss me off, and I love it. Telor is a good guy but not a wimp, while Carys is a complex, competent woman with agency who doesn't devolve into girlbossery-- and she parkours! in a book written in 1986! The side characters are great too, with a touching and realistic depiction of Deri's disability and trauma from being caught up in the wars.
My only issues with the book are the omniscient POV, with occasional headhopping and infodumping. Gellis's writing was much more taut and focused in the 1990s, while her earlier work tends to do "blah blah blah medieval politics" (which is why it took me so long to get into her books). Also, while there's great sexual tension, the sex scenes in The Rope Dancer leave something to be desired. But at least it's not rapey or non-con, which is very unusual for something written in the '80s.
With that said, I did love this book. It's a rollicking, high-stakes adventure with amazing characterization, and a fascinating depiction of the 11th century with characters who believably fit in that era, and a nice slow burn romance with two lovable leads. If this sounds at all interesting to you, I recommend it!
July 12, 2018
I read this book because it's one of the few medieval romances out there so far. I mostly loved it - the hero is a nice guy, the heroine is fiesty, the historical research is fascinating and delicious, and the side characters (dwarves) are interesting and intelligently done. Everyone has depth and society runs like a real society.
I find it gets a little slow at times and skimmed over some parts, and I'd give it a 4.5 stars -- that rounds up to 5. I was sad to see the author is dead so she won't be putting out more, but I see she has many other works I can read too.
I find it gets a little slow at times and skimmed over some parts, and I'd give it a 4.5 stars -- that rounds up to 5. I was sad to see the author is dead so she won't be putting out more, but I see she has many other works I can read too.
December 16, 2018
Nice writing style, but the author takes her time building up sexual tension, even though it's not absolutely necessary to do so. Other than that, the characters are likeable and quite complex, and the description of life in the Middle Ages is fairly well done. A nice read for the weekend, though not a masterpiece.
December 30, 2020
Departure from Lourdes and ladies to Troups and Troubadours
As always, Roberta G weaves a romantic tale with medieval intrigue accurate to the period. Even touching on the Welsh tradition of telling historic tales and fantastic myths through song. The characters are always lively and interesting.
As always, Roberta G weaves a romantic tale with medieval intrigue accurate to the period. Even touching on the Welsh tradition of telling historic tales and fantastic myths through song. The characters are always lively and interesting.
February 11, 2017
An interesting book. I wanted to read it because it featured lower-class protagonists, and I kept reading for the same reason.
The writing was pretty amateurish, in my opinion. A lot of telling, not a lot of showing, and I often found myself skimming through long interal monologues and passages where whole conversations were glossed over. Fortunately, the strong characters and excellent plot (once you get further into the book, the plot does develop and is well worth the wait) helped balance the book.
The heroine, Carys, is pretty interesting and unique-- she's a tightrope dancer, and heavily muscled, described as heavy and lean. Telor, the hero, is attracted to her, but neither of them jump straight into having sex.
Carys has a history of physical and sexual abuse, which she seems to think is normal and no big deal, which is probably historically accurate but was a little bit disturbing to read. Still, her attraction to Telor takes some time to build, starting with physical attraction but then quickly becoming romantic attraction because of his kindness, generosity, and honesty. Carys is a smart, determined woman and a dedicated performer, and she quickly adapts herself to her surroundings-- matching other's speech patterns, but also quickly seeing that, among kind, honest people that she can (and should) be kind and honest as well.
Deri's character was an unexpected, but lovely, gem in this novel. Gellis also managed a pretty subtle but effective lesson in what life with a disability is like-- not only being singled out for blame, but the desire to be seen as a whole person and live a full and happy life, as well as needing to contribute to others in order to be happy (ie, not wanting to feel like a burden). Ann and Deri both were excellent characters and I'm glad Gellis included them in the plot, since they both had skills and talents that our protagonists lacked.
Gellis also managed to swap out the traditional gender roles in this tale: Not only does Carys rescue herself from danger at the beginning of the novel, but she single-handedly rescues Deri and Telor later on, and then her and Ann leave their relative safety to go assist the men. And, through their intelligent plannning, they manage to incapacitate many of the enemy soldiers without killing them, as well as smuggle several of their own soldiers inside the keep.
A fun, satisfying read.
The writing was pretty amateurish, in my opinion. A lot of telling, not a lot of showing, and I often found myself skimming through long interal monologues and passages where whole conversations were glossed over. Fortunately, the strong characters and excellent plot (once you get further into the book, the plot does develop and is well worth the wait) helped balance the book.
The heroine, Carys, is pretty interesting and unique-- she's a tightrope dancer, and heavily muscled, described as heavy and lean. Telor, the hero, is attracted to her, but neither of them jump straight into having sex.
Carys has a history of physical and sexual abuse, which she seems to think is normal and no big deal, which is probably historically accurate but was a little bit disturbing to read. Still, her attraction to Telor takes some time to build, starting with physical attraction but then quickly becoming romantic attraction because of his kindness, generosity, and honesty. Carys is a smart, determined woman and a dedicated performer, and she quickly adapts herself to her surroundings-- matching other's speech patterns, but also quickly seeing that, among kind, honest people that she can (and should) be kind and honest as well.
Deri's character was an unexpected, but lovely, gem in this novel. Gellis also managed a pretty subtle but effective lesson in what life with a disability is like-- not only being singled out for blame, but the desire to be seen as a whole person and live a full and happy life, as well as needing to contribute to others in order to be happy (ie, not wanting to feel like a burden). Ann and Deri both were excellent characters and I'm glad Gellis included them in the plot, since they both had skills and talents that our protagonists lacked.
Gellis also managed to swap out the traditional gender roles in this tale: Not only does Carys rescue herself from danger at the beginning of the novel, but she single-handedly rescues Deri and Telor later on, and then her and Ann leave their relative safety to go assist the men. And, through their intelligent plannning, they manage to incapacitate many of the enemy soldiers without killing them, as well as smuggle several of their own soldiers inside the keep.
A fun, satisfying read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2008
The plot is always surprising. It’s distinguished by from other stories because of being placed in a historic setting. Original. The life of nobles and servants and horse and cart and the list goes on.
I think it’s a seriously well written story. I took this from the library. Where I found a lot of good books to read. I would read in my sleep if I would. There is a good act of morals in stories such as this.
Deri is a dwarf. Telor an minstrel. And they have been on the road with which they seek out lodging and money they border for their fortune. Telor is to be announced, as when he is invited for he is an expected entertainer, the minstrel and is treated well by these 12th century nobilities. He is a entertainer at weddings, and when this story opens. Then there is romance, passion, and time for action. There is the entertaining as minstrel by Telor and his lute or harp. And Deri as a constant servant, comprises them for safe lodgings in any of the towns along the road. But times are not right and there is suddenly great thieving and fighting to capture the power over as lords of the towns where Telor and Deri dwell.
I think it’s a seriously well written story. I took this from the library. Where I found a lot of good books to read. I would read in my sleep if I would. There is a good act of morals in stories such as this.
Deri is a dwarf. Telor an minstrel. And they have been on the road with which they seek out lodging and money they border for their fortune. Telor is to be announced, as when he is invited for he is an expected entertainer, the minstrel and is treated well by these 12th century nobilities. He is a entertainer at weddings, and when this story opens. Then there is romance, passion, and time for action. There is the entertaining as minstrel by Telor and his lute or harp. And Deri as a constant servant, comprises them for safe lodgings in any of the towns along the road. But times are not right and there is suddenly great thieving and fighting to capture the power over as lords of the towns where Telor and Deri dwell.
July 13, 2009
I sought out this book because it was recommended as a rare medieval romance that was not about the lords and the ladies, but instead about the working class. In that it was interesting, and I dearly loved, as always, reading about a romance heroine who is totally self sufficient.
However, perhaps because it was about a heroine of a different class than usual, there was just so much exposition...every time Carys made a decision or said something, we had to read through several paragraphs that kind of explained why and what her context was. This was great in a social-historian kind of way, but not so great for the pace of the story. I admit I gave up and skimmed through the last fifth of the book.
Though to be fair, from what I remember of my high school romance reading career, all that telling rather than showing was pretty much par for the course for historical romances 25 years ago, and I know for a fact that Gellis' Magdalene la Batarde historical mystery series (first one published 1999) are MUCH livelier and more tautly written, and has a heroine with just as interesting a profession--if not more!
However, perhaps because it was about a heroine of a different class than usual, there was just so much exposition...every time Carys made a decision or said something, we had to read through several paragraphs that kind of explained why and what her context was. This was great in a social-historian kind of way, but not so great for the pace of the story. I admit I gave up and skimmed through the last fifth of the book.
Though to be fair, from what I remember of my high school romance reading career, all that telling rather than showing was pretty much par for the course for historical romances 25 years ago, and I know for a fact that Gellis' Magdalene la Batarde historical mystery series (first one published 1999) are MUCH livelier and more tautly written, and has a heroine with just as interesting a profession--if not more!
July 20, 2016
Full of medieval historical detail about the less-than-ideal life of the working class and the dangers faced by women. I read this in high school, back when I could read for hours on end during weekends and breaks from school. (Those were the days!)
March 19, 2014
It was okay. The one thing that bothered me about the story was that the action always seemed to be interrupted by internal dialogue, to the point that the character often repeated what he/she was thinking so that the reader would have to read it twice. It just didn't flow very well.
May 20, 2012
I have read this book a couple of times during the past many years. Why did it take me until now to appreciate the characters?
February 9, 2013
This book made me understand about the daily life in the Middle Ages, while also being an excellent adventure and a strong romance. A great favorite of mine.
November 12, 2015
Points for being a medieval genre historical that focuses on people other than the nobility. (Admittedly, glamorous travelling troubadors.)
September 4, 2016
4.5 stars; I really enjoyed this.
December 9, 2014
Lbrary kindle e-book
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews