the pilgrim of hateellis peters
c. 1984
190 pages
completed 10/6/2008
*may contain spoilers*
First off, I am happy to report that I have finally moved passed the first nine books of this series. It has taken me a long time, but I have broken that personal barrier.
I have always been wary of starting this book since it is the episode I like least in the "Mystery" TV version. But after reading it I have discovered it is NOTHING like the movie. Maybe some of the same names and circumstances (crippled boy, barefoot pilgrim, etc), but personality and motives? Totally different.
This book starts out different that all the others, at least it seemed to me. Up until now, the beginning of each novel showcases a crime: a murder or murder attempt or sometimes just a theft that will lead to murder, and Cadfael eventually takes upon himself the task of solving the mystery (or aiding Hugh in solving the mystery). This time, a murder is mentioned, but it doesn't really have anything to do with Cadfael and his goings on. It something sad he hears about, but he doesn't find himself connected with it until very late in the book, and then only by accident. He never goes looking to solve a case, information just falls into his lap. So you're never really caught up in the mystery.
It was enjoyable to have Olivier back. He's an interesting character and has a VERY interesting relationship with Cadfael. I hope that we see him again, and that eventually he will come to know his full relationship with Cadfael. And I was glad Hugh was confided in with both of Cadfael's secrets, both about Winifred and Olivier.
I love, Love, LOVE this series, but this one just didn't have the same structure as the others so I can't give it a perfect rating.
4/5
I have always been wary of starting this book since it is the episode I like least in the "Mystery" TV version. But after reading it I have discovered it is NOTHING like the movie. Maybe some of the same names and circumstances (crippled boy, barefoot pilgrim, etc), but personality and motives? Totally different.
This book starts out different that all the others, at least it seemed to me. Up until now, the beginning of each novel showcases a crime: a murder or murder attempt or sometimes just a theft that will lead to murder, and Cadfael eventually takes upon himself the task of solving the mystery (or aiding Hugh in solving the mystery). This time, a murder is mentioned, but it doesn't really have anything to do with Cadfael and his goings on. It something sad he hears about, but he doesn't find himself connected with it until very late in the book, and then only by accident. He never goes looking to solve a case, information just falls into his lap. So you're never really caught up in the mystery.
It was enjoyable to have Olivier back. He's an interesting character and has a VERY interesting relationship with Cadfael. I hope that we see him again, and that eventually he will come to know his full relationship with Cadfael. And I was glad Hugh was confided in with both of Cadfael's secrets, both about Winifred and Olivier.
I love, Love, LOVE this series, but this one just didn't have the same structure as the others so I can't give it a perfect rating.
4/5
3 comments:
I'm with you. The Brother Cadfael series is one of the best. I'd like to reread the series now that I've completed it and see how the earlier books seem now that I know the characters so much better.
Lezlie
I love the Brother Cadfael books. I haven't seen the Mystery series because I was always afraid that the characters wouldn't look or sound like I think they should. Now maybe I'll give them a try. For some reason I don't remember reading this book in the series. I wonder how I missed it. I'll be tracking it down for next year. Thanks for the review.
lezlie - no matter how mnay times i read them (well, the first nine) they just seem to get better and better.
beth - i was actually introduced to the "mystery" series first. my mother loved both the books and the tv series and my sisters and i grew up watching them. i think they're great. occasionally a little corny, but derek jacobi is fabulous as cadfael and sean pertween is perfect as hugh (though not exactly the right coloring). unfortunately he only plays hugh in four episodes and is replaced by two other actors who are decent (though again not the right coloring) but just not as good. i would definitely recommend them. though if you could watch them as the "mystery" series with diana rigg's comments before and after the epsiode as opposed to just the dvd's i would. her insights and comments are interesting.
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