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Title: Heretic by Bernard Cornwell, Pigott-Smith Tim ISBN: 0-06-056613-2 Publisher: HarperAudio Pub. Date: 07 October, 2003 Format: Audio Cassette Volumes: 4 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.93 (15 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Stale
Comment: Recently I have found some of Cornwell's books disappointing. Don't get me wrong, I've read all of his books and buy them as soon as they come out, particularly the Sharpe and Grail series. However, what was original in the first several volumes of either series seems formulaic after a time. Heretic carries the formula to the extreme, almost to the point of being a caricature of Corwell's own style. He continues to be a master of military fiction, and in particular the dramatic battlefield narrative. However, he persists in injecting a romantic aspect into the story which, in Heretic, seems to dictate Thomas' choice of action past the point of reason and credibility. Thomas is, like Sharpe, an individual raised on brutality and military pragmatism. On rare occasion, it would be possible for such an individual to make decisions with the heart rather than the head, but with these characters it has become repetitious. The series is not a romance series, but military historical fiction, and now the main characters have become predictable romantics. When there was a decision to be made by Thomas in this story, I knew what it would be pages before it was made. That is a disappointment.
Such a romantic sideline should not be necessary to effectively tell such a period piece. Neither Thomas' story nor Sharpe's was without apparent inspiration (for Sharpe, The Rifleman by C.S. Forester, and for Thomas, The Bowman of Crecy by Ronald Welch). Those tales did not include romantic distractions, and managed to tell very compelling stories with complete characters.
Cornwell would do well to avoid falling into the trap of always using the same plot complications and devices. Every once in a while, it would be refreshing for Thomas or Sharpe to do something pragmatic and avoid acting like an idiot for every pretty face that comes along. Mix it up a little, Bernie.
Rating: 4
Summary: Good story with plenty of action
Comment: Unlike the some of the other reviewers this was my first Bernard Cornwell book and won't be my last!! However I wasn't aware, when I read it, that it was the last in a trilogy so it might be preferable to read the other two first.
I found myself getting gradually absorbed into the story, feeling compelled to follow the main characters through their quest for the Grail, honour and acceptance.
The battle scenes were very descriptive as was general life in mid fourteenth century France, all making this an excellent and persuasive read.
Rating: 2
Summary: Suspect Motives
Comment: The greatest impediment to enjoying a novel (for me) is when characters act in ways that don't make sense, thus poisoning the rationale for the story line. Even given the notable lack of self-control of Cornwell heroes when it comes to women, in this case the major plot line was Thomas abandoning his course for the woman. The only motivation offered for Thomas's attraction is her beauty. But there is absolutely no indication of any character lurking beneath the body! I haven't counted, but I doubt she has more than 30 words of dialogue in the entire book. For the hero to make a 90-degree behavioral turn for a woman, one has to understand the woman to understand why he would do so. Because there is no credible explanation, the book from a story perspective has to fail. I hasten to add that the historical accuracy, battle scenes, etc. are Cornwell's normal high quality.
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Title: Sharpe's Christmas by Bernard Cornwell ISBN: 0972222014 Publisher: Sharpe Appreciation Society Pub. Date: 01 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $8.00 |
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Title: Vagabond by Bernard Cornwell ISBN: 0060532688 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 30 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Sharpe's Escape : Portugal, 1810 by Bernard Cornwell ISBN: 0060530472 Publisher: HarperCollins Pub. Date: 30 March, 2004 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: The Archer's Tale by Bernard Cornwell ISBN: 0060505257 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 01 September, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Sharpe's Havoc : Richard Sharpe and the Campaign in Northern Portugal, Spring 1809 by Bernard Cornwell ISBN: 0060530464 Publisher: HarperCollins Pub. Date: 01 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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