Though Heaven Fall: A Medieval Parable

by Jeri Westerson

THOUGH HEAVEN FALL blends ageless themes of friendship and love into a quixotic tale of fantasy and faith. Set in thirteenth century England, Edric, a man crippled in body and soul, begs, steals, and sometimes plays a pipe to make a living. Against his better judgment, he saves the life of Azriel...a man who claims to be an Angel. But is this stranger a divine being or the escaped "Mad Monk" from a nearby monastery? The peasant woman who finds herself attracted to the acerbic Edric isn't certain, nor is the morose knight in desperate search of secrets to the afterlife. Another scheming monk seems to have all the answers...or does he? But circumstances cause the beggar, the monk, and the knight to collide in the same quest, some of whom would see Azriel permanently locked away and Edric hanged for murder.

Genres: Historical Fiction

254 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2014

About the author

Los Angeles native JERI WESTERSON currently writes two new series: a Tudor mystery series, the King’s Fool Mysteries, with Henry VIII’s real court jester Will Somers as the sleuth and a Sherlockian pastiche series called An Irregular Detective Mystery, with one of Holmes’ former Baker Street Irregulars opening his own detective agency. She’s also written fifteen Crispin Guest Medieval Noir Mysteries, a series nominated for thirteen awards from the Agatha, to the Macavity, to the Shamus. She’s written several paranormal series (including a gaslamp-steampunk fantasy series), standalone historical novels, and had stories in several anthologies, the latest of which was included in SOUTH CENTRAL NOIR, an Akashic Noir anthology. She has served as president of the SoCal Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, president and vice president for two chapters of Sisters in Crime (Orange County and Los Angeles), and is also a founding member of the SoCal chapter of the Historical Novel Society. See JeriWesterson.com for discussion guides, book trailers, and more.

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free from Goodreads!

I must say that I've never been so completely wrong about a book in my life!

I picked up this novel back in May and read the first couple of pages, and at that time it was just "one of those books" that I just couldn't get into. Apparently it must have had something to do with my mind set at that time!

I picked up Though Heaven Fall: A Medieval Parable again last week and to my immense pleasure found that my original opinion was way off mark! This story is one of the most enjoyable that I have read in a long time! Edric's transformation is a bittersweet story ... finding love ... loosing friendship and all the while finding that HOPE above all can transform a mundane existence into the life we all wish for ourselves.

Thank you Jeri for sharing this with us!

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had the words to describe how deeply and moved I was in reading Though Heaven Fall. This is definitely one that I will read again sometime soon. It's been over a week since I read it and I can't stop thinking about it. It not only intrigued me simply as a fine story well told, but it also compelled me to look deep within myself and examine my own attitudes. Both spirituality and story telling at their best. Beautiful -- just beautiful.

[Laura Ruetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I pick up a book, the things that really grab me are characterization, plot and how the author writes. Jeri Westerson has a way with words and that is apparent in this book as well as in her others. With extensive knowledge of this period, she is able to weave complex characters into a story that is compelling and intriguing.

Edric the "hero" of the story is a flawed character. When done right, this is my favorite kind of character, and this was done right. If at the end of the story, there is no change or personal growth, then the story ends up losing me. Westerson's central character of Edric is not a static character, and we see his conflict and we understand his thought process. By saying very little, we get a very good grasp of the characters shortly within meeting each of them including the mysterious Azriel, Edric the crippled beggar, Hugh, the knight and the monks in pursuit of an escaped Mad Monk. The characters are given depth and this just adds to the compelling nature of the story.

I can highly recommend this book, which, although set in the 16th century, brings up some currently relevant points. Another great offering from the author.

[D.J. Adamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the very moment I began reading Though Heaven Fall, I was reminded of Gabriel Marquez’s short story A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings. Westerson’s wonderfully written medieval tale, parable, gives readers Edric who is a cripple: …these features were situated on heaping, uneven shoulders and legs of two lengths with a twisted foot at the end of the shorter one…and rescues a person who claims to be an angel, Azriel. The attention Westerson gives her story meets up there with some very good writers. She lacks no talent. Her themes of faith and deliverance, insanity vs. sanity, hope vs. hopelessness grow and develop as the story takes the reader on an enjoyable journey. This is the first novel I have read of Westerson’s work, although I have heard about her mystery series also crafted in this same time period. Having found her, I want to read more. There is a very good reason she has been nominated for this year’s Bruce Alexander Memorial Historical Mystery Award for her Crispin Medieval Noir novel Cup of Blood. Keep an eye out for awards for Though Heaven Fall, as well.

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when an outcast thief accidentally saves -- an angel? That's the question that this book attempts to answer. Jeri Westerson has demonstrated her grasp of medieval history and mysticism through her Crispin Guest mystery series, and her strengths shine through in this novel.

Edric lives on the fringes of society and survives by a little thieving, a little music-making. And by saving the life of a -- man? -- who claims to be an angel fallen from heaven, Edric finds himself in the middle of a great existential mystery -- one he wishes not to have to deal with!

Westerson has a talent for quickly building strong characters and bringing them into conflict. In this book, the thief, the maybe-angel, and a strong-willed monk provide interesting insight into human conditions that might be shown against a medieval background, but which are timeless.

This is a thought-provoking book and a great read!

[Sheryl Mosher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeri Westerson is one of my favorite authors -- hands down. Her Crispin Guest books, about a medieval knight-turned-solver of mysteries, are amazing -- all thoroughly researched and filled with authentic details and facts about the time period. I love all of them. This parable is a departure from her series, but it is also a mystery of sorts as the reader tries to pin down the identity of the mad monk. What I liked is that the story is really about finding the identity of everyone involved, and, as such, becomes an exercise for the reader. Who do we think we are and how do others see us? The assumptions we make about ourselves and others is featured prominently and serves as a cautionary practice. How the characters see each other and assume things about the others brings about conflict, but doesn't it always? This is a story of growth and understanding and of realizing that we must really seek to know each other and ourselves.

[Stella Temenu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fine offering from author Jeri Westerson! This medieval tale incorporates elements of both mystery and fantasy against a well-researched historical background. Westerson, author of the Crispin Guest medieval knight mystery series, here tells the story of Edric, an outcast wanderer who survives by his wits (and a little thievery). He rescues a man who calls himself Azriel, and who claims to be a fallen angel. The tale unwinds from there, with some clever plot twists. Westerson's usual strong characterization and attention to detail are evident throughout this book, making it an excellent read.
So enjoy this book! Then, if you haven't read them, treat yourself to the Crispin Guest books.

[Jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though Heaven Fall is different than Jeri Westerson's Edmund Crispin "medieval noir" books. Yet it is still a thought-provoking tale populated with her well-developed and multidimensional characters. There have been a number of reviews with a synosis of the book, so I won't repeat one here. Suffice it to say, this was a great read, one that left me thinking long after the last page had been turned. What always amazes me is how Jeri creates such symathetic characters, even with their flaws. She manages to bring a far distant time to life, and somehow relevant to today.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A parable is defined as "a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson". That is what this book calls itself and rightly so. This is more complex than the parables in the Bible. There are more characters and each has their own plot thread. But they all have have a lesson to learn and to teach. But the book is in no way heavy-handed with preaching. Each character learns through through their experiences. And so can the reader.

I received a free copy of this book through the First Reads program.

[Simona Nielsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook review (narrator Joel Froomkin - 5 STARS)

Very odd experience. I started this book twice, but still couldn't get into the story. Nothing makes sense to me in this 'historical fantasy', so this review will be short.

I always love Joel Froomkin and he does a great job in this book as well with a British accent. So if I had to continue the book, it would be because of him.

*This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me awhile to get through this book. It isn't long, but I literally felt pulled down by the angst being experienced by every single character. That being said, it ultimately is a "parable" of hope and faith, with a satisfying conclusion. And it's engagingly well written, like all of Jeri Westerson's books.

[Vicki Highley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though Heaven Fall is a departure from the books I have read in the past by Jeri Westerson. The book took me awhile to get into it, but once I did I had to keep reading. The act of being a Good Samaritan can lead you to place you do not want to go and some you are happy it does. .

I won a copy of the book on Goodreads.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's hard work writing a parable that is powerful but not heavy-handed, interesting without losing the point. This isn't that kind of parable, and the story itself seemed poorly organized, threaded together haphazardly, with too much preaching and not enough developing.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifly written story about frienship, faith and humanity. I highly recommend everyone read Though Heaven Falls, as there is a message for each one of us and will touch each reader in some way.

Hats off to Ms. Westerson for another entertaining and moving work of art.

[Kathy Jund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lesson learned

[Susan Ash hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok, took a while to get going

[NormaCenva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much, it is not something I usually read (listen) but I was pleasantly surprised! The audiobook version was amazing, with great quality voice-work and an engaging story.