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Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #10
The Pilgrim of Hate
1141. The fourth anniversary of the transfer of Saint Winifred's bones to the Abbey at Shrewsbury is a time of celebration for the 12th-century pilgrims gathering from far and wide. In distant Winchester, however, a knight has been murdered. Could it be because he was a supporter of the Empress Maud, one of numerous pretenders to the throne? It's up to herbalist, sleuth, and Benedictine monk Brother Cadfael to track down the killer in the pious throng.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1984
1181 people are currently reading
2068 people want to read
About the author
Ellis Peters
207 books1,146 followersA pseudonym used by Edith Pargeter.
Edith Mary Pargeter, OBE, BEM was a prolific author of works in many categories, especially history and historical fiction, and was also honoured for her translations of Czech classics; she is probably best known for her murder mysteries, both historical and modern. Born in the village of Horsehay (Shropshire, England), she had Welsh ancestry, and many of her short stories and books (both fictional and non-fictional) were set in Wales and its borderlands.
During World War II, she worked in an administrative role in the Women's Royal Naval Service, and received the British Empire Medal - BEM.
Pargeter wrote under a number of pseudonyms; it was under the name Ellis Peters that she wrote the highly popular series of Brother Cadfael medieval mysteries, many of which were made into films for television.
Edith Mary Pargeter, OBE, BEM was a prolific author of works in many categories, especially history and historical fiction, and was also honoured for her translations of Czech classics; she is probably best known for her murder mysteries, both historical and modern. Born in the village of Horsehay (Shropshire, England), she had Welsh ancestry, and many of her short stories and books (both fictional and non-fictional) were set in Wales and its borderlands.
During World War II, she worked in an administrative role in the Women's Royal Naval Service, and received the British Empire Medal - BEM.
Pargeter wrote under a number of pseudonyms; it was under the name Ellis Peters that she wrote the highly popular series of Brother Cadfael medieval mysteries, many of which were made into films for television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 395 reviews
November 7, 2025
The Pilgrim of Hateis another enjoyable chronicle of the Brother Cadfael series. The story runs in two different threads. The political intrigue between the two factions, the mystery, and the action run in one thread. Parallel to it runs the fourth anniversary celebrations of the translation of Saint Winifred to Shrewsbury. The pilgrims gather at the Abbey from far in expectation of a miracle. Cadfael is most expectant for reasons of his own.
There is not much of a mystery here. The crime is committed away from Shrewsbury, and nothing except the victim's name and political allegiance is known. There is not even an investigation into the crime; only circumstances lead to the revelation of the murderer. This tenth chronicle is the first in the series that has completely dispensed with a murder-mystery in its proper sense.
There are interesting factors in this chronicle. The historical political situation is one. England is plunged into more and more division and chaos. Then there is Brother Cadfael's secret guilt that gnaws at his heart. We also meet an important character from a previous chronicle whose relation to Cadfael is finally revealed. And most of all, I enjoyed the strong and intimate bond between Hugh and Cadfael. Hugh has become a confidante of Cadfael, and Cadfael reveals both his guilt and secret to Hugh.
There are certain parts that I didn't care for much. The romance (which felt contrived) and the actions related to pickpockets and footpads (which served only to move the plot forward and contrive certain scenes) could have been done differently and better, in my opinion. Those parts of the story felt wooden and uninteresting.
All in all, however, The Pilgrim of Hate is an important chronicle of the series. It has a closer connection to A Morbid Taste for Bones and The Virgin in the Ice and a personal relevance to Brother Cadfael.
More of my reviews can be found at http://piyangiejay.com/
There is not much of a mystery here. The crime is committed away from Shrewsbury, and nothing except the victim's name and political allegiance is known. There is not even an investigation into the crime; only circumstances lead to the revelation of the murderer. This tenth chronicle is the first in the series that has completely dispensed with a murder-mystery in its proper sense.
There are interesting factors in this chronicle. The historical political situation is one. England is plunged into more and more division and chaos. Then there is Brother Cadfael's secret guilt that gnaws at his heart. We also meet an important character from a previous chronicle whose relation to Cadfael is finally revealed. And most of all, I enjoyed the strong and intimate bond between Hugh and Cadfael. Hugh has become a confidante of Cadfael, and Cadfael reveals both his guilt and secret to Hugh.
There are certain parts that I didn't care for much. The romance (which felt contrived) and the actions related to pickpockets and footpads (which served only to move the plot forward and contrive certain scenes) could have been done differently and better, in my opinion. Those parts of the story felt wooden and uninteresting.
All in all, however, The Pilgrim of Hate is an important chronicle of the series. It has a closer connection to A Morbid Taste for Bones and The Virgin in the Ice and a personal relevance to Brother Cadfael.
More of my reviews can be found at http://piyangiejay.com/
March 14, 2024
Review to follow
February 6, 2017
This is Ellis Peters. It's Cadfael.
What else is there to say?
If you haven't discovered this series give it a go...
What else is there to say?
If you haven't discovered this series give it a go...
October 25, 2022
I was going to give this book four stars, but then the last sentence of the book REALLY annoyed me. A secret is revealed in the very last sentence! You are left hanging in midair! Of course, you want to know more! My rating has for this reason sunk to three.
Now I will tell you what I have liked about the story, why I had intended to give it four stars.
Well, first of all, I like Ellis Peters’ descriptions of nature. The flowers and the herbs in Cadfael’s garden make you feel calm and happy. The dark forests are drawn equally well.
Meeting the characters whom I have come to know so well is always an enjoyment. Some you good naturedly chuckle at. Others have become close friends that you respect and love.
In this story the conflict between King Stephen (1096-1154) and his cousin Empress Maud (1102-1167) continues. The year is 1141 and the month is June. Stephen has been imprisoned and Maud is feeling her oats! Soon the table will be turned again. We watch as history plays out both in the south (on the big stage) and in Shrewsbury (the small stage). Pilgrims stream to Shrewsbury. The fourth anniversary celebrating the transfer of St. Winifred’s bones to Shrewsbury’s Abbey is to take place. And a knight has been murdered. Who is guilty? That which has played out on the big stage has repercussions in Shrewsbury. How do the different components relate to each other? The tying together of the big and the small keeps the reader wondering and thinking. I have enjoyed solving this puzzle. The parts fit snuggly together in a satisfying way.
I like the story because, for me at least, it was not obvious what was going on. I like that by the end I understood all parts completely. I am always a little worried when I read a mystery that I won’t “get it”, but I did here. Understanding how everything fits has made me feel satisfied and happy. Content!
Margareta Lithén reads this in Swedish. I was terribly impressed with her narration. It is as good if not better than the English narrations of other Cadfael stories I have previously listened to. Five stars for her narration. Karl G. Fredriksson has translated the book to Swedish.
I liked this a lot, until the end, when I became very mad at what had been revealed. You should not say what is said and then immediately stop! We are told ! Hmph. Yeah, I’m an emotional type, and this influences my ratings.
***********************
Book Order and Availability:
*A Morbid Taste for Bones (1) 3 stars
*One Corpse Too Many (2) 5 stars
*Monk's Hood (3) 4 stars
*St. Peter's Fair (4) 4 stars
*The Leper of St. Giles (5) 5 stars
*The Virgin in the Ice (6)3 stars
*The Sanctuary Sparrow (7) 4 stars
*The Devil's Novice (8) unavailable
*Dead Man's Ransom (9) 3 stars
*The Pilgrim of Hate (10) 3 stars
*An Excellent Mystery (11) TBR
*The Raven in the Foregate (12) 4 stars
*The Rose Rent (13) TBR
*The Hermit of Eyton Forest (14) TBR
*The Confession of Brother Haluin (15) unavailable
*The Heretic's Apprentice (16) unavailable
*The Potter's Field (17) unavailable
*The Summer of the Danes (18) TBR
*The Holy Thief (19) TBR
*Brother Cadfael's Penance (20) TBR
Now I will tell you what I have liked about the story, why I had intended to give it four stars.
Well, first of all, I like Ellis Peters’ descriptions of nature. The flowers and the herbs in Cadfael’s garden make you feel calm and happy. The dark forests are drawn equally well.
Meeting the characters whom I have come to know so well is always an enjoyment. Some you good naturedly chuckle at. Others have become close friends that you respect and love.
In this story the conflict between King Stephen (1096-1154) and his cousin Empress Maud (1102-1167) continues. The year is 1141 and the month is June. Stephen has been imprisoned and Maud is feeling her oats! Soon the table will be turned again. We watch as history plays out both in the south (on the big stage) and in Shrewsbury (the small stage). Pilgrims stream to Shrewsbury. The fourth anniversary celebrating the transfer of St. Winifred’s bones to Shrewsbury’s Abbey is to take place. And a knight has been murdered. Who is guilty? That which has played out on the big stage has repercussions in Shrewsbury. How do the different components relate to each other? The tying together of the big and the small keeps the reader wondering and thinking. I have enjoyed solving this puzzle. The parts fit snuggly together in a satisfying way.
I like the story because, for me at least, it was not obvious what was going on. I like that by the end I understood all parts completely. I am always a little worried when I read a mystery that I won’t “get it”, but I did here. Understanding how everything fits has made me feel satisfied and happy. Content!
Margareta Lithén reads this in Swedish. I was terribly impressed with her narration. It is as good if not better than the English narrations of other Cadfael stories I have previously listened to. Five stars for her narration. Karl G. Fredriksson has translated the book to Swedish.
I liked this a lot, until the end, when I became very mad at what had been revealed. You should not say what is said and then immediately stop! We are told ! Hmph. Yeah, I’m an emotional type, and this influences my ratings.
***********************
Book Order and Availability:
*A Morbid Taste for Bones (1) 3 stars
*One Corpse Too Many (2) 5 stars
*Monk's Hood (3) 4 stars
*St. Peter's Fair (4) 4 stars
*The Leper of St. Giles (5) 5 stars
*The Virgin in the Ice (6)3 stars
*The Sanctuary Sparrow (7) 4 stars
*The Devil's Novice (8) unavailable
*Dead Man's Ransom (9) 3 stars
*The Pilgrim of Hate (10) 3 stars
*An Excellent Mystery (11) TBR
*The Raven in the Foregate (12) 4 stars
*The Rose Rent (13) TBR
*The Hermit of Eyton Forest (14) TBR
*The Confession of Brother Haluin (15) unavailable
*The Heretic's Apprentice (16) unavailable
*The Potter's Field (17) unavailable
*The Summer of the Danes (18) TBR
*The Holy Thief (19) TBR
*Brother Cadfael's Penance (20) TBR
September 30, 2024
I can certainly say with I think more than adequate truth that the best parts of Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael series are generally and usually both her spot-on and historically accurate sense of time and place (how she makes Mediaeval 12th century England come both realistically and imaginatively spectacularly to life) and how Peters also manages to present mysteries which include murder, revenge and such in a manner that while they are descriptive and detailed enough, they are also usually rather gently and actually never overtly, exaggeratedly horribly and/or gratuitously violently depicted and presented, told (not to mention that often in the Brother Cadfael series, the mysteries, the necessary whodunnit aspects thereof actually and appreciatively seem to come secondary to the day to day happenings of Shrewsbury and Brother Cadfael's home abbey of Saint Peter and Paul).
Case in point, while the title of the tenth Brother Cadfael novel, while The Pilgrim of Hate seems to insinuate that Ellis Peters views the revenge and hatred story involving and affecting Ciaran and Matthew/Luc (and having at its root the British Civil War between Stephen and Maud) as the main storyline and plot of The Pilgrim of Hate, personally (and also to and for me most fortunately), I actually do consider both Brother Cadfael's questions regarding Saint Winifred's remains (and what is actually contained in the reliquary) and the description of young Rhun's healing (in particular that he feels as though the saint, as though Winifred has called her to him and made him her own) both much more interesting and also a more a sweetly uplifting and emotionally satisfying reading experience than the revenge and possible leading to murder aspect of The Pilgrim of Hate (with Brother Cadfael also finally with what transpires with Rhun being personally and joyfully convinced that his actions in the first Cadfael novel, in A Morbid Taste for Bones were both the right way to proceed and also acceptable and pleasing to and for the spirit of Saint Winifred herself the absolute the icing on the cake for me, alongside of course feeling ecstatic and appreciative that Cadfael once again encounters Olivier de Bretagne).
And indeed, the only part The Pilgrim of Hate that I for one do consider frustrating and a bit tacked on so to speak is the sub-storyline of the footpads and gamers invading the abbey grounds and of course also the town during the festival. For indeed, it does at least to and for me seem as though these necessary villains are in Shrewsbury simply as a plot device to move the revenge scenario between Ciriran and his dogged shadow Matthew, later known as Luc, along and to also then precipitate the arrival and later involvement in the action of The Pilgrim of Hate of both Olivier de Bretagne and Hugh Beringar, both important participants and necessary characters to be sure, but I do wish that the scenario with the footpads, with the petty thieves and villains had been a bit more thoroughly incorporated and not just kind of in my opinion been utilised by Ellis Peters as a moving the plot forward narrative tool (and let's face it, from all of the characters presented and depicted in The Pilgrim of Hate, it is only the villainous gamers, the footpads, who are depicted by Ellis Peters in a cardboard like and very much un-nuanced and on the surface manner, the only characters who are basically just paper thin stereotypes).
Case in point, while the title of the tenth Brother Cadfael novel, while The Pilgrim of Hate seems to insinuate that Ellis Peters views the revenge and hatred story involving and affecting Ciaran and Matthew/Luc (and having at its root the British Civil War between Stephen and Maud) as the main storyline and plot of The Pilgrim of Hate, personally (and also to and for me most fortunately), I actually do consider both Brother Cadfael's questions regarding Saint Winifred's remains (and what is actually contained in the reliquary) and the description of young Rhun's healing (in particular that he feels as though the saint, as though Winifred has called her to him and made him her own) both much more interesting and also a more a sweetly uplifting and emotionally satisfying reading experience than the revenge and possible leading to murder aspect of The Pilgrim of Hate (with Brother Cadfael also finally with what transpires with Rhun being personally and joyfully convinced that his actions in the first Cadfael novel, in A Morbid Taste for Bones were both the right way to proceed and also acceptable and pleasing to and for the spirit of Saint Winifred herself the absolute the icing on the cake for me, alongside of course feeling ecstatic and appreciative that Cadfael once again encounters Olivier de Bretagne).
And indeed, the only part The Pilgrim of Hate that I for one do consider frustrating and a bit tacked on so to speak is the sub-storyline of the footpads and gamers invading the abbey grounds and of course also the town during the festival. For indeed, it does at least to and for me seem as though these necessary villains are in Shrewsbury simply as a plot device to move the revenge scenario between Ciriran and his dogged shadow Matthew, later known as Luc, along and to also then precipitate the arrival and later involvement in the action of The Pilgrim of Hate of both Olivier de Bretagne and Hugh Beringar, both important participants and necessary characters to be sure, but I do wish that the scenario with the footpads, with the petty thieves and villains had been a bit more thoroughly incorporated and not just kind of in my opinion been utilised by Ellis Peters as a moving the plot forward narrative tool (and let's face it, from all of the characters presented and depicted in The Pilgrim of Hate, it is only the villainous gamers, the footpads, who are depicted by Ellis Peters in a cardboard like and very much un-nuanced and on the surface manner, the only characters who are basically just paper thin stereotypes).
November 8, 2025
another enjoyable episode in the life of Brother Cadfael, and 12th century Shropshire... 🙂
🌸🌿🎚☠🙏🌿🌸
Cadfael and Hugh are talking, while Cadfael stirs a remedy for the calves 🐄
there have been three years of civil war, affecting all.
King Stephen is the crowned and anointed king, but a prisoner in Bristol castle since the last battle of Lincoln. the Empress Maud is free and in the ascendant. Henry, Stephen's brother, is caught in the middle/between the two, possibly willing to back whichever can restore peace.
Hugh (Stephens man, as Sheriff), is short on news.
bishops, legates... the Queen... matters of state...
🌿🍃
they step outside into Cadfael's herb garden to view the flowers... 🙂
the peonies 😃 their seeds used for medicine by Brother Cadfael, and also as a culinary spice used by Brother Petrus in the kitchen 😋
🌺🌸
the festival of Saint Winifred is drawing close, and pilgrims will start gathering soon...
Cadfael reveals to Hugh that Saint Winifred isn't exactly where she is 😉 tho a saint can be in two places at once 😉😁
Cadfael says he's saving his confessions for when Brother Mark is a priest. always nice to get a mention of Brother Mark 🙂 (who's still away training for the priesthood).
tho he is prepared to tell Hugh the story of Saint Winifred, and we get a nice recap from (iirc) the first full novel 🙂
🌸🌿🎚☠🙏🌿🌸
an interesting variety of pilgrims arrive - a fellow gardening-healing Brother, a woman with her sister's children, two fellows committed to each other,...
💍💰
much happens
👩🏽❤👨🏽
the procession of Saint Winifred into the church...
and a miracle! 😃😁
and a mission?
🌸🌿🎚☠🙏🌿🌸
i liked all the musings on Saint Winifred, and where she might be, and if she's happy, and the nature of miracles ♥
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
accessed as an RNIB talking book, read by Gordon Dulieu.
🌸🌿🎚☠🙏🌿🌸
Cadfael and Hugh are talking, while Cadfael stirs a remedy for the calves 🐄
there have been three years of civil war, affecting all.
King Stephen is the crowned and anointed king, but a prisoner in Bristol castle since the last battle of Lincoln. the Empress Maud is free and in the ascendant. Henry, Stephen's brother, is caught in the middle/between the two, possibly willing to back whichever can restore peace.
Hugh (Stephens man, as Sheriff), is short on news.
bishops, legates... the Queen... matters of state...
🌿🍃
they step outside into Cadfael's herb garden to view the flowers... 🙂
the peonies 😃 their seeds used for medicine by Brother Cadfael, and also as a culinary spice used by Brother Petrus in the kitchen 😋
🌺🌸
the festival of Saint Winifred is drawing close, and pilgrims will start gathering soon...
Cadfael reveals to Hugh that Saint Winifred isn't exactly where she is 😉 tho a saint can be in two places at once 😉😁
Cadfael says he's saving his confessions for when Brother Mark is a priest. always nice to get a mention of Brother Mark 🙂 (who's still away training for the priesthood).
tho he is prepared to tell Hugh the story of Saint Winifred, and we get a nice recap from (iirc) the first full novel 🙂
🌸🌿🎚☠🙏🌿🌸
an interesting variety of pilgrims arrive - a fellow gardening-healing Brother, a woman with her sister's children, two fellows committed to each other,...
💍💰
much happens
👩🏽❤👨🏽
the procession of Saint Winifred into the church...
and a miracle! 😃😁
and a mission?
🌸🌿🎚☠🙏🌿🌸
i liked all the musings on Saint Winifred, and where she might be, and if she's happy, and the nature of miracles ♥
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
accessed as an RNIB talking book, read by Gordon Dulieu.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2023
Brother Cadfael never lets me down. There is always an interesting mystery to be solved, usually using gentle Christian methods. This time, Cadfael gets to remember a bit of his youth as a Crusader when he tackles a bad guy. He resolves to do penance later for the pleasure of pummeling a criminal during the moment.
Cadfael is feeling his age physically but he is still mentally strong. He puts the pieces together and forms a plan immediately. It helps that his abbot, Radulphus, trusts his Brother. It also is good to have supportive friends like Hugh Beringar who also recognize Cadfael's sharp mind.
As usual, there is a gentle romance entwined with the action and our Benedictine monk has a definite soft spot for young lovers. Many fictional love stories have miscommunication bumps to overcome and Cadfael is often at pains to explain what's going on, often to distressed young women, and to steering confused young men back to these damsels. It doesn't overpower the mystery, but happens naturally and sweetly.
There is also a skillful circling back to the original book of the series, A Morbid Taste for Bones. Cadfael is feeling guilty about the circumstances of the securing of Saint Winifred's remains. He followed expediency at the time and now he is concerned that the Saint will not smile on his monastery. He needn't have worried. She brings the Abbey at Shrewsbury many good things. Obviously a very practical Saint (or one with an impish sense of humour).
Cadfael is feeling his age physically but he is still mentally strong. He puts the pieces together and forms a plan immediately. It helps that his abbot, Radulphus, trusts his Brother. It also is good to have supportive friends like Hugh Beringar who also recognize Cadfael's sharp mind.
As usual, there is a gentle romance entwined with the action and our Benedictine monk has a definite soft spot for young lovers. Many fictional love stories have miscommunication bumps to overcome and Cadfael is often at pains to explain what's going on, often to distressed young women, and to steering confused young men back to these damsels. It doesn't overpower the mystery, but happens naturally and sweetly.
There is also a skillful circling back to the original book of the series, A Morbid Taste for Bones. Cadfael is feeling guilty about the circumstances of the securing of Saint Winifred's remains. He followed expediency at the time and now he is concerned that the Saint will not smile on his monastery. He needn't have worried. She brings the Abbey at Shrewsbury many good things. Obviously a very practical Saint (or one with an impish sense of humour).
September 22, 2024
“He saw no reason why he should expect to be singled out for healing, but he said that he offered his pain freely, who had nothing else to give.”
This tale draws us back into an England at war with itself: the Anarchy. Death abounds on every hand and yet so does nobility. Cadfael finds himself at the crossroads of faith and duty. As his faith falters, that of another draws him higher.
“People are endlessly mysterious, and I am endlessly curious.”
As usual appearances deceive. Young love muddles allegiances. Cadfael finds unexpected blessing. Oliver de Bretagne appears again. If you've had the misfortune of seeing Mystery's video, cleanse it from your mind. This is a different--better--story. (Those videos displayed an unfortunate trend toward conflict and negativity contrary to the current of Peter's series.)
“The least of us may be an instrument of grace, though not by his own deserving.”
Don’t skip this one. This watershed Cadfael tale brings together many threads from the first ten stories; many which follow are subtle retreads of earlier stories. Dame Parteger was not a particular defender of Christianity, but she wrote her characters sensitively and true to the time. Quibble: “Henry the first’s daughter” When there is not yet a second king Henry, the first is the only. Ignore Goodreads blurb; it’s misleading.
“God forbid, thought Cadfael, that I should meddle there. Nothing short of a saint should knock on that door.”
Cadfael series: excellent historical fiction. Ellis Peters lures the reader into the twelfth century with modern story telling but holds us there with a richness of detail which evokes a time and place which might as well be fictional. Though the foreground of each chronicle is a murder mystery, behind it a nation and a culture are woven in a wondrous tapestry.
This tale draws us back into an England at war with itself: the Anarchy. Death abounds on every hand and yet so does nobility. Cadfael finds himself at the crossroads of faith and duty. As his faith falters, that of another draws him higher.
“People are endlessly mysterious, and I am endlessly curious.”
As usual appearances deceive. Young love muddles allegiances. Cadfael finds unexpected blessing. Oliver de Bretagne appears again. If you've had the misfortune of seeing Mystery's video, cleanse it from your mind. This is a different--better--story. (Those videos displayed an unfortunate trend toward conflict and negativity contrary to the current of Peter's series.)
“The least of us may be an instrument of grace, though not by his own deserving.”
Don’t skip this one. This watershed Cadfael tale brings together many threads from the first ten stories; many which follow are subtle retreads of earlier stories. Dame Parteger was not a particular defender of Christianity, but she wrote her characters sensitively and true to the time. Quibble: “Henry the first’s daughter” When there is not yet a second king Henry, the first is the only. Ignore Goodreads blurb; it’s misleading.
“God forbid, thought Cadfael, that I should meddle there. Nothing short of a saint should knock on that door.”
Cadfael series: excellent historical fiction. Ellis Peters lures the reader into the twelfth century with modern story telling but holds us there with a richness of detail which evokes a time and place which might as well be fictional. Though the foreground of each chronicle is a murder mystery, behind it a nation and a culture are woven in a wondrous tapestry.
March 25, 2022
Bit too much politics and action and too little mystery.
October 27, 2018
This is I think the tenth of the mystery series featuring the Benedictine monk Brother Cadfael. In this one, Shrewsbury Abbey is preparing to celebrate the anniversary of the transcription of St Winifred’s bones to the abbey. In the background, the political scenario is changing as King Stephen has been imprisoned and Empress Maud is attempting to get herself crowned, though not going about it quite the right way. Many pilgrims are arriving at the abbey for the ceremony. Before they arrive, news comes in of a murder that took place far away, to do with the differences between the two factions, but this seems to have no connection with events at the Abbey. Among the pilgrims are various people who arouse Brother Cadfael’s interest, even suspicion, and before long he realises there is more to many of them than first meets the eye.
This was another very enjoyable instalment in the series for me. The story refers back to events in two previous Cadfael books, the first one, and the Virgin in the Ice, and it does have a bit of a spoiler for the first book, so may be one should pick this one up only after reading the first. It was interesting for me however to ‘meet’ some of the characters we’ve encountered in previous books, learn what became of some of them. The various pilgrims who come to the Abbey present more than one puzzle and it was fun watching Brother Cadfael work them out, and also use some of his skills from his days as a crusader. The stories of the characters we meet are far from straightforward (though may be not like say, The Sanctuary Sparrow where the in relationships and power equations between the characters were really complex) and draw one in, and one is interested to see how things pan out for them.
This was another very enjoyable instalment in the series for me. The story refers back to events in two previous Cadfael books, the first one, and the Virgin in the Ice, and it does have a bit of a spoiler for the first book, so may be one should pick this one up only after reading the first. It was interesting for me however to ‘meet’ some of the characters we’ve encountered in previous books, learn what became of some of them. The various pilgrims who come to the Abbey present more than one puzzle and it was fun watching Brother Cadfael work them out, and also use some of his skills from his days as a crusader. The stories of the characters we meet are far from straightforward (though may be not like say, The Sanctuary Sparrow where the in relationships and power equations between the characters were really complex) and draw one in, and one is interested to see how things pan out for them.
December 7, 2022
The only thing I dislike about this series is that it's not longer. I'm sad to be past the halfway point.
August 23, 2022
I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve read in this series. If you haven’t read any then I suggest you give them a try!
Read
March 9, 2017I didn't enjoy this book as much as some others from the Brother Cadfael series. I thought there were several confusing subplots (e.g. the gamesters) that did come together eventually but not before some serious head-scratching about their purpose in the story. I also found St. Winifred's 'two deaths' story confusing as told by Ellis Peters and had to look the saint up in Wikipedia to understand what was going on. If there is such a thing as 'too much of a happy ending' then this book has it. Not only is everything resolved in the end but a sickly and sweet joy overpowers everyone and everything. Seemed rather unreal!
October 7, 2021
An original and nicely crafted plot. Peters put in extra work on her prose on this one. Fewer adverbs, more showing and description. A delightfully twisty mystery!
July 6, 2025
This novel is the tenth installment in the Cadfael series and like many of the others was adapted for television.
While the story here revolves around a Holy Day in Shrewsbury in honor of their Saint Winifred, the book pulls together threads from several of it's precursors. Hugh Berringer is finally let in on the secret of St Winifred as we learned it in A Morbid Taste for Bones and he meets, Olivier de Bretaigne, the mysterious dark woodsman who wore a sword in The Virgin in the Ice
While I found these the hilights of the book, they were left out of the TV adaptation which concentrated more on a theme of vengeance and vain self imposed suffering. Perhaps the actors necessary to do the best parts of this story justice were no longer available.
While the TV episode was watchable it was a bit muddled in spots and I looked forward to the book clearing up those aspects. However it didn't because the aspects in question had been inserted (and apparently not completely thought out) for television consumption.
I also object to the meaner, more worldly, more dishonest aspect that the TV characters were given, particularly the role of Ruhl a young lame boy who comes to the Holy Day to be cured of his lameness.
Whether or not you saw and enjoyed the television series, I recommend the book. It's a pleasure to spend a bit of time in Merry Old England even at the time of civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Maude. Cadfael and Berringer make amiable companions and Abbot Adolfous is as always a pleasure. Even Brother Jerome and Prior Robert are somewhat muted in this one.
While the story here revolves around a Holy Day in Shrewsbury in honor of their Saint Winifred, the book pulls together threads from several of it's precursors. Hugh Berringer is finally let in on the secret of St Winifred as we learned it in A Morbid Taste for Bones and he meets, Olivier de Bretaigne, the mysterious dark woodsman who wore a sword in The Virgin in the Ice
While I found these the hilights of the book, they were left out of the TV adaptation which concentrated more on a theme of vengeance and vain self imposed suffering. Perhaps the actors necessary to do the best parts of this story justice were no longer available.
While the TV episode was watchable it was a bit muddled in spots and I looked forward to the book clearing up those aspects. However it didn't because the aspects in question had been inserted (and apparently not completely thought out) for television consumption.
I also object to the meaner, more worldly, more dishonest aspect that the TV characters were given, particularly the role of Ruhl a young lame boy who comes to the Holy Day to be cured of his lameness.
Whether or not you saw and enjoyed the television series, I recommend the book. It's a pleasure to spend a bit of time in Merry Old England even at the time of civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Maude. Cadfael and Berringer make amiable companions and Abbot Adolfous is as always a pleasure. Even Brother Jerome and Prior Robert are somewhat muted in this one.
March 29, 2009
This is one of the more poetic and mystical of the Cadfael stories. It twists and turns and reveals the answers with patience and skill. However, not all answers are possible. A lovely book.
March 26, 2022
Жалко, что аудиокниги про Кадфаэля заканчиваются и новых не предвидится (хорошо, что есть хотя бы электронные). Ничего утешительнее ��ейчас не придумаешь.
May 23, 2024
The delights of this series include the lovely prose and dips into lesser-known British history. But I especially enjoy the recurring characters who populate these tales of ancient Shrewsbury.
In honor of their recently acquired saint, Winifred, Shrewsbury Abbey is hosting an event to honor her and attract pilgrims. The Abbey draws many seeking miracles, including a young man with a crippled leg, and his lovely sister. With them arrives an odder pair--two young men, one sworn to walk barefoot to a Welsh abbey to meet his death from some illness, and his sturdy, unreadable companion. Brother Cadfael finds the pair troubling. Times are perilous, with a new Queen set to claim Westminster's crown, and her predecessor Stephen languishing in prison. Who knows what trouble might arrive at Saint Winifred's shrine? Even as his curiosity grows, he sees romance between the sturdy companion and the handsome girl.
The tale of a murder in Westminster also reaches the Abbey, as well as a past acquaintance who serves in the new Queen's retinue. Olivier de Bretagne is a past acquaintance of both Cadfael and Sherriff Hugh Beringar, and he seeks a man who served the murdered nobleman, but disappeared after the crime. Can Cadfael help the cause of love, honor and his Welsh Saint? Of course he can!
Here the crime is remote, but there is still mystery, both around a crime, and relating to faith and belief in miracles. We also receive a revelation relating to Cadfael's Crusader past. I am on the hunt for more volumes in this series.
In honor of their recently acquired saint, Winifred, Shrewsbury Abbey is hosting an event to honor her and attract pilgrims. The Abbey draws many seeking miracles, including a young man with a crippled leg, and his lovely sister. With them arrives an odder pair--two young men, one sworn to walk barefoot to a Welsh abbey to meet his death from some illness, and his sturdy, unreadable companion. Brother Cadfael finds the pair troubling. Times are perilous, with a new Queen set to claim Westminster's crown, and her predecessor Stephen languishing in prison. Who knows what trouble might arrive at Saint Winifred's shrine? Even as his curiosity grows, he sees romance between the sturdy companion and the handsome girl.
The tale of a murder in Westminster also reaches the Abbey, as well as a past acquaintance who serves in the new Queen's retinue. Olivier de Bretagne is a past acquaintance of both Cadfael and Sherriff Hugh Beringar, and he seeks a man who served the murdered nobleman, but disappeared after the crime. Can Cadfael help the cause of love, honor and his Welsh Saint? Of course he can!
Here the crime is remote, but there is still mystery, both around a crime, and relating to faith and belief in miracles. We also receive a revelation relating to Cadfael's Crusader past. I am on the hunt for more volumes in this series.
February 16, 2018
Brother Cadfael, happily pursuing his later years in the Abbey at Shrewsbury. In the wider world of England The Empress Maud is pressuring the city of London to let her in and crown her but the great excitement in Shrewsbury the the festival and pilgrims surrounding the anniversary of the translation of Saint Winifred, she who's bones came to rest there during a previous adventure of Brother Cadfael.
This is part of an ongoing series of Brother Cadfael and though they are marketed as 'mediaeval whodunnits' with some justice, I think that they are much more than that. For a start the writing is beautiful, a real delight to read. Ellis has the happy ability to describe a scene so that one can see, hear and small it coming to life around you. They 'whodunnit' element is always complex and deeply human with all the compassion one would wish to believe common among men who have dedicated their life to their religion.
This story was fascinating, with references to previous books in the series, but not leaning on previous reading too much; it is entirely possible to enjoy these books out of sequence, as I have been doing.
This is part of an ongoing series of Brother Cadfael and though they are marketed as 'mediaeval whodunnits' with some justice, I think that they are much more than that. For a start the writing is beautiful, a real delight to read. Ellis has the happy ability to describe a scene so that one can see, hear and small it coming to life around you. They 'whodunnit' element is always complex and deeply human with all the compassion one would wish to believe common among men who have dedicated their life to their religion.
This story was fascinating, with references to previous books in the series, but not leaning on previous reading too much; it is entirely possible to enjoy these books out of sequence, as I have been doing.
August 23, 2024
Un caso in cui si ricordano alcuni casi precedenti: La bara d'argento e La vergine nel ghiaccio, in particolare.
Sono infatti passati quattro anni dai fatti che si svolsero attorno alla sepoltura di Santa Winifred, e adesso che le sue reliquie vengono ufficialmente acquisite nel monastero benedettino di Shrewsbury con una solenne festa, Cadfael sente di doversi sgravare la coscienza con il suo amico Hugh Beringar.
A Shrewsbury intanto accorrono numerosi pellegrini, subito dopo che l'abate ha presieduto a Winchester a un incontro con Enrico di Blois, vescovo di Winchester, legato pontificio, fratello minore e fino ad allora fedele partigiano di re Stefano, che sembra aver deciso di fare un voltafaccia, ricordandosi all'improvviso del giuramento di fedeltà e obbedienza fatto a Re Enrico di accettare come sovrana la sua unica figlia, l'imperatrice Maud.
Mentre tutti questi personaggi influenti erano riuniti a Winchester, un cavaliere fedele all'imperatrice viene lasciato a morire dissanguato in un vicolo, Rainald Bossard. Della sua morte viene accusato un ragazzo che i Bossard hanno adottato, Luc Meverel, che è fuggito poco dopo l'omicidio e sembra essersi diretto verso il Galles. Shrewsbury è dunque una tappa obbligata per chi lo sta cercando. Potrebbe essere uno dei tanti pellegrini che hanno raggiunto l'abbazia per la festa della santa?
Sono infatti passati quattro anni dai fatti che si svolsero attorno alla sepoltura di Santa Winifred, e adesso che le sue reliquie vengono ufficialmente acquisite nel monastero benedettino di Shrewsbury con una solenne festa, Cadfael sente di doversi sgravare la coscienza con il suo amico Hugh Beringar.
A Shrewsbury intanto accorrono numerosi pellegrini, subito dopo che l'abate ha presieduto a Winchester a un incontro con Enrico di Blois, vescovo di Winchester, legato pontificio, fratello minore e fino ad allora fedele partigiano di re Stefano, che sembra aver deciso di fare un voltafaccia, ricordandosi all'improvviso del giuramento di fedeltà e obbedienza fatto a Re Enrico di accettare come sovrana la sua unica figlia, l'imperatrice Maud.
Mentre tutti questi personaggi influenti erano riuniti a Winchester, un cavaliere fedele all'imperatrice viene lasciato a morire dissanguato in un vicolo, Rainald Bossard. Della sua morte viene accusato un ragazzo che i Bossard hanno adottato, Luc Meverel, che è fuggito poco dopo l'omicidio e sembra essersi diretto verso il Galles. Shrewsbury è dunque una tappa obbligata per chi lo sta cercando. Potrebbe essere uno dei tanti pellegrini che hanno raggiunto l'abbazia per la festa della santa?
May 14, 2019
Halftime.
And another good one. The murder happens far away in Winchester this time and is part of but not exactly central to the story. Which is more about St Winifred's festival in Shrewsbury and its repercussions, a miraculous healing, some serious crooks, and, naturally, a sweet romance. Plus, small spoiler ahead, an appearance of Cadfael's son, dreamy Olivier de Bretagne.
All's well that ends well.
And another good one. The murder happens far away in Winchester this time and is part of but not exactly central to the story. Which is more about St Winifred's festival in Shrewsbury and its repercussions, a miraculous healing, some serious crooks, and, naturally, a sweet romance. Plus, small spoiler ahead, an appearance of Cadfael's son, dreamy Olivier de Bretagne.
All's well that ends well.
January 22, 2022
Always delighted to spend time rereading this favorite historical mystery series. First met Cadfael decades ago after seeing Sir Derek Jacobi play him on PBS Mystery, then found out the series was based on books, started reading the books, and went down the rabbit hole of historical mysteries- where I still happily spend much of my reading time!
I’m rereading these slowly with the Reading the Detectives group, probably best way to enjoy, as a few members have pointed out the “sameness” of the mysteries. Understandable in a closed monastic community, ruled by the seasons, the liturgical calendar, and the ongoing civil war between Stephen and Maud, both claimants to the throne of England.
This book opens as the Shrewsbury community is preparing for a feast celebrating the arrival of the remainins of the abbey’s patron saint, Winifred (covered in A Morbid Taste for Bones). Pilgrims are expected, and duly arrive; a subplot involves the gamblers, thieves and crooks that often prey on such crowds. No spoilers, but two groups of pilgrims in particular are concerned in our story- a voluble widow woman weaver (try saying that three times fast!) with her niece and handicapped nephew, and two young men traveling together - one barefoot and wearing a very heavy cross, and the other, his apparent protector. All of these people come together in various, complicated ways, and one group seems to be hiding at least one secret - meanwhile, Abbott Radolphus has returned from a peace conference organized by the powerful Bishop Henry of Winchester, telling of a murder that took place there.
A lot going on here, and I wasn’t really sure what was relevant until the twist at the end - I wasn’t sure there was even a crime concerned, and if so, who might have committed it! St. Winifred appears, at least to Cadfael’s mind and heart, to work a few miracles, and we are treated to the usual beautiful language in describing the gorgeous, sunny June weather, and the lovely Abbey gardens, grounds, and surrounding countryside. As is often the case, there are two young lovers, and one of Cadfael’s miracles is a visit from a very important person from his past. All the loose ends are tidied up, and I truly enjoyed another visit with my favorite Benedictine!
I’m rereading these slowly with the Reading the Detectives group, probably best way to enjoy, as a few members have pointed out the “sameness” of the mysteries. Understandable in a closed monastic community, ruled by the seasons, the liturgical calendar, and the ongoing civil war between Stephen and Maud, both claimants to the throne of England.
This book opens as the Shrewsbury community is preparing for a feast celebrating the arrival of the remainins of the abbey’s patron saint, Winifred (covered in A Morbid Taste for Bones). Pilgrims are expected, and duly arrive; a subplot involves the gamblers, thieves and crooks that often prey on such crowds. No spoilers, but two groups of pilgrims in particular are concerned in our story- a voluble widow woman weaver (try saying that three times fast!) with her niece and handicapped nephew, and two young men traveling together - one barefoot and wearing a very heavy cross, and the other, his apparent protector. All of these people come together in various, complicated ways, and one group seems to be hiding at least one secret - meanwhile, Abbott Radolphus has returned from a peace conference organized by the powerful Bishop Henry of Winchester, telling of a murder that took place there.
A lot going on here, and I wasn’t really sure what was relevant until the twist at the end - I wasn’t sure there was even a crime concerned, and if so, who might have committed it! St. Winifred appears, at least to Cadfael’s mind and heart, to work a few miracles, and we are treated to the usual beautiful language in describing the gorgeous, sunny June weather, and the lovely Abbey gardens, grounds, and surrounding countryside. As is often the case, there are two young lovers, and one of Cadfael’s miracles is a visit from a very important person from his past. All the loose ends are tidied up, and I truly enjoyed another visit with my favorite Benedictine!
June 29, 2016
It wasn’t quite what I was expecting. There was more mysticism than mystery too this one. What little bit of mystery there was, wasn’t hard to figure out. Actually, there were too many convenient coincidences to make a good mystery.
St. Winifred is the most prominent character in this book. It was really very sad to see the veneration and worship wasted on a long dead human, instead of being directed toward God. I know it’s a fiction book, but people did live and die trusting their eternity to such empty hope. It was heartbreaking. It’s a strange mix of legend, facts, and fiction. In this story she sets up a celebration to honor the ‘saint’ the Abbot has imported for the glory of his house. Then to vindicate Cadfeal for a deception perpetrated in another book, she has this long dead and completely absent ‘saint’ pull off several ‘miracles’. There isn’t even a brief mention of God, His righteousness, forgiveness, grace, and mercy. All of this is based on her virtue. Like I said, it was very sad.
Now these ‘miracles’ have nothing to do with the mystery. It was almost like two story lines that just happen to be playing out at the same time. Oh, and there’s a love story thrown in for good measure. It’s just as weak as the mystery. I’ve like some of her other works better. They had less mysticism and more mystery to them. Not that it was completely absent; after all, the main character is a rather pragmatic monk. It does fill in few more facts about Cadfeal’s past life, so it helped in the flow of the series. I probably won’t reread this one.
St. Winifred is the most prominent character in this book. It was really very sad to see the veneration and worship wasted on a long dead human, instead of being directed toward God. I know it’s a fiction book, but people did live and die trusting their eternity to such empty hope. It was heartbreaking. It’s a strange mix of legend, facts, and fiction. In this story she sets up a celebration to honor the ‘saint’ the Abbot has imported for the glory of his house. Then to vindicate Cadfeal for a deception perpetrated in another book, she has this long dead and completely absent ‘saint’ pull off several ‘miracles’. There isn’t even a brief mention of God, His righteousness, forgiveness, grace, and mercy. All of this is based on her virtue. Like I said, it was very sad.
Now these ‘miracles’ have nothing to do with the mystery. It was almost like two story lines that just happen to be playing out at the same time. Oh, and there’s a love story thrown in for good measure. It’s just as weak as the mystery. I’ve like some of her other works better. They had less mysticism and more mystery to them. Not that it was completely absent; after all, the main character is a rather pragmatic monk. It does fill in few more facts about Cadfeal’s past life, so it helped in the flow of the series. I probably won’t reread this one.
July 31, 2021
If you have seen the BBC version of this on tv, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that both versions are almost completely different—and this one by Ellis Peters far better! Love this series. With each successive volume, the series gets better and we gain more insight into Cadfael’s character and his past. And we once more make the acquaintance of his son, Olivier de Bretagne, not seen in the tv version. The story starts with a quick reminder of the plot from A Morbid Taste for Bones and adds in a little from The Virgin in the Ice, tying them together into a tale about a pilgrim celebration for Saint Winifred. When an knight is killed in London, it will have a far reaching effect on those gathering at Shrewsbury, not the least of which, Brother Cadfael. We meet old characters and new in a wonderful story, one not to be missed. Ms. Peters wrote these mysteries with such skill and dedication to detail, they read more like history than fiction. A definite pleasure to read!
September 23, 2019
I truly enjoy this series as a respite from more serious reading. The stories are light and gentle, the bad guys always lose, and romance always wins. Peters has a deft hand for description of people, places, and emotions. This one does something I like: it delves into the Brother Cadfael's past relationships and current emotions. He gets to draw on some of his past crusader skills, as well as his keen observation and investigative talents. As a woman of (ahem) a certain age, it was fun to see a sixty plus medieval monk saddling up and riding into battle.
February 5, 2019
A very good Cadfael, with a reappearance of one of my favorite characters. The war between King Stephen, Queen Matilda, and the Empress Maud (also Matilda) is wearing on everyone, with Maud in the ascendant. Saint Winifred’s day is coming and pilgrims are flooding the abbey, including several interesting folks. There is a miracle and Peters’ excellent description of twelfth-century life makes everything real.
Read on Hoopla audio through my public library.
Read on Hoopla audio through my public library.
November 23, 2021
As usual, it wasn't hard to figure out the murderer and Brother Cadfael is helping a pair of young lovers in distress (albeit from more of a distance than usual). However, the historical plot and the subplot with St. Winifred were really interesting and there was a surprise twist at the end of the murder investigation which I did not foresee. So, overall I enjoyed it, especially Patrick Tull's wonderful narration.
December 5, 2025
2025: I think I've read this at least six times and I love it just as much every time through.
2021: Grand as always. I find the themes of miracles, grace, and justice heartwarming. My first introduction to Cadfael, and my favorite, though to give fair warning, this mystery has major spoilers about his past if you read it out of order.
2021: Grand as always. I find the themes of miracles, grace, and justice heartwarming. My first introduction to Cadfael, and my favorite, though to give fair warning, this mystery has major spoilers about his past if you read it out of order.
September 24, 2020
Per ora è un sonnifero micidiale... vedremo se migliora.
(una settimana più tardi)
Che dire di questa scrittrice nata nel 1913 che si scelse prudentemente uno pseudonimo maschile?
Ha una strana scrittura. Invece di interpretare il Medioevo, sembra quasi essere il Medioevo (per capirci, la stessa impressione me la diede a suo tempo il film "Magnificat" di Avati).
Non è facile ambientare un romanzo nel 1141, e curiosamente si rende inevitabile anche il paragone con "Il nome della rosa" uscito solo quattro anni prima del romanzo della Peters.
Mancano completamente alla scrittrice le ambizioni di satira, di decostruzione, di parallelismo tra passato e presente. Manca anche il compiacimento pseudo-fantasy di tanti che ambientano i loro romanzi nel Medioevo (e infatti Eco li stigmatizzava nelle sue Postille) solo per crearsi un altrove più o meno fantasioso e grandguignolesco.
La Peters preferisce il realismo, ma è un realismo romantico, con parecchia idealizzazione, da cui vengono espunti tanti aspetti sgradevoli e non perciò meno affascinanti della vita quotidiana nel XII secolo.
Il fatto stesso di imperniare tutto su un monaco benedettino sessantenne dà al romanzo il suo tono: ed è un tono lieve, mistico, credulo, o meglio credente. Non c'è spazio nel mondo della Peters per religiosi scettici, miscredenti, cinici, politicanti... o meglio, il mondo esterno con le sue storture penetra a fasi alterne nel mondo perfetto dell'abbazia, ma prima o poi ogni pezzo del puzzle si ricompone, la serenità turbata ritorna: i bricconi vengono catturati dal braccio secolare, chi si è innamorato si sposa e chi ha ricevuto un miracolo si consacra alla vita monastica.
Riusciamo a crederci? Non sempre.
Il realismo si nota anche nell'analisi dell'intricata situazione politica del momento (un re imprigionato e un'imperatrice che cerca di farsi riconoscere dalle città), che per me ha costituito la parte più noiosa, intricata e pesante del romanzo.
Al contrario, ho apprezzato molto la mancanza di effetti speciali alla Csi in un'epoca che non poteva averli, né del resto il carattere del mite e bonario Cadfael è quello positivista e orgoglioso del Guglielmo di Eco: più che fare indagini, ci si imbatte per caso, ha tante altre cose da fare (il vino, le erbe medicinali, l'orto, l'accoglienza dei pellegrini...) e il romanzo ne guadagna in naturalezza.
Una piacevole scoperta, nel complesso.
(una settimana più tardi)
Che dire di questa scrittrice nata nel 1913 che si scelse prudentemente uno pseudonimo maschile?
Ha una strana scrittura. Invece di interpretare il Medioevo, sembra quasi essere il Medioevo (per capirci, la stessa impressione me la diede a suo tempo il film "Magnificat" di Avati).
Non è facile ambientare un romanzo nel 1141, e curiosamente si rende inevitabile anche il paragone con "Il nome della rosa" uscito solo quattro anni prima del romanzo della Peters.
Mancano completamente alla scrittrice le ambizioni di satira, di decostruzione, di parallelismo tra passato e presente. Manca anche il compiacimento pseudo-fantasy di tanti che ambientano i loro romanzi nel Medioevo (e infatti Eco li stigmatizzava nelle sue Postille) solo per crearsi un altrove più o meno fantasioso e grandguignolesco.
La Peters preferisce il realismo, ma è un realismo romantico, con parecchia idealizzazione, da cui vengono espunti tanti aspetti sgradevoli e non perciò meno affascinanti della vita quotidiana nel XII secolo.
Il fatto stesso di imperniare tutto su un monaco benedettino sessantenne dà al romanzo il suo tono: ed è un tono lieve, mistico, credulo, o meglio credente. Non c'è spazio nel mondo della Peters per religiosi scettici, miscredenti, cinici, politicanti... o meglio, il mondo esterno con le sue storture penetra a fasi alterne nel mondo perfetto dell'abbazia, ma prima o poi ogni pezzo del puzzle si ricompone, la serenità turbata ritorna: i bricconi vengono catturati dal braccio secolare, chi si è innamorato si sposa e chi ha ricevuto un miracolo si consacra alla vita monastica.
Riusciamo a crederci? Non sempre.
Il realismo si nota anche nell'analisi dell'intricata situazione politica del momento (un re imprigionato e un'imperatrice che cerca di farsi riconoscere dalle città), che per me ha costituito la parte più noiosa, intricata e pesante del romanzo.
Al contrario, ho apprezzato molto la mancanza di effetti speciali alla Csi in un'epoca che non poteva averli, né del resto il carattere del mite e bonario Cadfael è quello positivista e orgoglioso del Guglielmo di Eco: più che fare indagini, ci si imbatte per caso, ha tante altre cose da fare (il vino, le erbe medicinali, l'orto, l'accoglienza dei pellegrini...) e il romanzo ne guadagna in naturalezza.
Una piacevole scoperta, nel complesso.
December 31, 2018
Though all of the action takes place at the Abbey, one major plot-line is wrapped up in the political turmoil that has gripped England for the past few years.
It is June 1141 and the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter and St Paul in Shrewsbury is preparing for their most sacred festival, which centers on their relic, the bones of St Winifred. Pilgrims are arriving from near and far; some come hoping for a miracle, most come for the pageantry and the excitement, the hope of witnessing a miracle; a few come to pick the pockets of both pilgrims and the townsmen.
Our story focuses on several of the pilgrims who arrive together, chance met on their way to the Abbey. We have an aunt shepherding her niece (a lovely young lady) and nephew (a young teen with a withered leg). Aunt and sister are hoping and praying for a cure for the boy. We also have two young men, one barefoot, wearing a heavy cross around his neck, the other appearing to be his most devoted friend and supporter; they are never apart.
Cadfael becomes involved with both groups when he tends to the boy and the barefoot young man. He is charmed by the teen and puzzled by mister barefoot, but too busy to devote any mental energy to the puzzle.
The author does a superb job in depicting the religious fervor that seizes the crowd during the procession with the relic and the church services that follow. I could easily picture it all--so exalting!
The political half of the story has so many twists and turns that any attempt at a recap would lead to multiple spoilers. The arrival in Shrewsbury of a surprise visitor sets the story on its way to its dramatic climax. This reader was delighted to see him. The story wraps up very tidily--lovers united, mystery solved. As for whether there was a miracle? You'll have to read the book to find out.
It is June 1141 and the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter and St Paul in Shrewsbury is preparing for their most sacred festival, which centers on their relic, the bones of St Winifred. Pilgrims are arriving from near and far; some come hoping for a miracle, most come for the pageantry and the excitement, the hope of witnessing a miracle; a few come to pick the pockets of both pilgrims and the townsmen.
Our story focuses on several of the pilgrims who arrive together, chance met on their way to the Abbey. We have an aunt shepherding her niece (a lovely young lady) and nephew (a young teen with a withered leg). Aunt and sister are hoping and praying for a cure for the boy. We also have two young men, one barefoot, wearing a heavy cross around his neck, the other appearing to be his most devoted friend and supporter; they are never apart.
Cadfael becomes involved with both groups when he tends to the boy and the barefoot young man. He is charmed by the teen and puzzled by mister barefoot, but too busy to devote any mental energy to the puzzle.
The author does a superb job in depicting the religious fervor that seizes the crowd during the procession with the relic and the church services that follow. I could easily picture it all--so exalting!
The political half of the story has so many twists and turns that any attempt at a recap would lead to multiple spoilers. The arrival in Shrewsbury of a surprise visitor sets the story on its way to its dramatic climax. This reader was delighted to see him. The story wraps up very tidily--lovers united, mystery solved. As for whether there was a miracle? You'll have to read the book to find out.
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