Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.
Loading... The Wolf Huntby Gillian Bradshaw
Loading...
Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. Based on one of the Lais of Marie de France, so very cool from a historical geek perspective, but it doesn't have the flow of her original works. Still a good read, just not as good as her other work in my opinion. ( ) Gillian Bradshaw is known for her beautifully detailed historical fiction, and this swerve into fantasy is no exception. Set in 12th century France, the book focuses on a strong female character, Marie Penthieve, who has been ordered to a convent after refusing to marry according to the royal decree. After being an attempt to flee and being attacked by outlaws, Marie is rescued by Tiarnan, a knight of Duke Hoel, who offers her temporary shelter. Marie finds herself caught up in the snarls of courtly life, including the spoiled and beautiful Eline, to whom Tiarnan is engaged; Alain, who is hopelessly in love with Eline; and Tiher, Alain’s older cousin, who is always getting him out of trouble. Shortly after the marriage of Tiarnan and Eline, he goes missing on a hunting trip, and Eline, after a swift mourning period, hastily remarries Alain, much to the dismay of Marie and Tiher, who both cared deeply for Tiarnan. Meanwhile, a tame wolf has been disturbing the village, and is eventually captured by Duke Hoel to be kept as his pet. As Marie and Tiher continue to investigate their suspicions regarding Eline and Alain’s relationship, the reader is already aware of what has happened to Tiarnan, but is left wondering what exactly and how the characters will discover the truth. This was the first of Bradshaw’s works that I read, and remains my favourite. It is well written, grounded in historical detail, and addresses issues of courtly and village life. The characters are well-developed and provoke a wide spectrum of emotions in the reader. This is one of the best werewolf novels I have read, and I would recommend it to readers who are willing to immerse themselves in the historical details for a rewarding read. This was my second foray into the work of Gillian Bradshaw, whose earlier novel, Island of Ghosts , has become one of my favorite works of historical fiction. Based upon The Lai of Bisclavret, one of a series of poems composed by Marie de France in the twelfth century, The Wolf Hunt follows the story of young Marie Penthieve de Chalandrey, who finds herself an unwilling participant in the conflict between Duke Hoel of Brittany and Duke Robert of Normandy. As she struggles to make a place for herself in a world of divided loyalties, Marie must strike a balance between her sense of familial duty and her own heart. Her love for the Breton knight, Tiarnan of Talensac, seems destined to remain unrequited when he marries another. But nothing is as it seems, and a creature of legend - the bisclavret - will have a decisive role in deciding her destiny. Complete with kidnapping, escape, rescue, romance, and betrayal - this medieval swashbuckler provides an entertaining and enlightening read. Although more romantic than Island of Ghosts, it never descends into melodrama, and offers an intriguing glimpse of medieval Breton society. no reviews | add a review
Was inspired by
Betrayal, love, and lycanthropy in the time of the Crusades When Marie Penthièvre of Chalendrey is abducted from her Norman priory and taken to Brittany's court, she vows never to dishonor her family's ties by marrying a Breton brute. There is only one man who might change her mind: Tiarnán of Talensac, a handsome, skilled, and noble knight indeed. But Tiarnán does not love her, and when he marries a slip of a girl instead, Marie vows to become a nun as soon as she is able.But Tiarnán has a secret, and that slip of a girl betrays him once she learns of it. When Tiarnán disappears and is presumed dead, his widow marries his one time rival and assumes title to his land, which steadily begins to decline under her unskilled, merciless rule. Marie knows something is wrong, and only she is clear headed enough to rescue Tiarnán and return him to his rightful status. But can she do so before it is too late?Rich in romance, and intrigue, steeped in history and wonder, The Wolf Hunt is historical fiction at its best, by one of its most skilled practitioners.Based on one of the Lais of Marie de France, The Wolf Hunt is a breathtaking adventure that showcases, once again, Gillian Bradshaw's respectability as both a historian and as a novelist.When Marie Penthièvre of Chalendrey is abducted from her Norman priory and taken to Brittany's court, she vows never to dishonor her family's ties by marrying a Breton brute. There is only one man who might change her mind: Tiarnán of Talensac, a handsome, skilled, and noble knight indeed. But Tiarnán does not love her, and when he marries a slip of a girl instead, Marie vows to become a nun as soon as she is able.But Tiarnán has a secret, and that slip of a girl betrays him once she learns of it. When Tiarnán disappears and is presumed dead, his widow marries his one time rival and assumes title to his land, which steadily begins to decline under her unskilled, merciless rule. Marie knows something is wrong, and only she is clear headed enough to rescue Tiarnán and return him to his rightful status. But can she do so before it is too late?Rich in romance, and intrigue, steeped in history and wonder, The Wolf Hunt is historical fiction at its best, by one of its most skilled practitioners. No library descriptions found. |
Current DiscussionsNonePopular covers
Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813Literature American literature in English American fiction in EnglishLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
Is this you?Become a LibraryThing Author. |