Carol Daly
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2022
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Haha! Yes, I agree. I googled to find out how old the author is. From a photo, she isn't young enough to have youth as her excuse for that stereotyping. The American gee-whiz couple keeps popping up. Nevertheless, the book isn't bad!I am a little annoyed by the portrayal of the pilgrim couple in their "mid-60s" calling people "dear" and sounding a bit dotterish. I'll overlook this for the time being!
I had to bite my lip at her "grey blue eyes" and the "long wavy blonde hair tumbling down" when she took off her hat. And all the men hitting on her, like that's okay and acceptable. Why can't women just be *people* in books, just like men? Okay, I will keep reading.Haha! Yes, I agree. I googled to find out how old the author is. From a photo, she isn't young enough to have youth as her excuse for that stereotyping. The American gee-whiz couple keeps popping up. Nevertheless, the book isn't bad!
Hi Saint Mike II. thanks for your welcome and hope you managed to get The Roland Medals as an e-book on your Kindle or iPad either the usual way or through Maureen's website.G'Day Carol. One - welcome to the Forum and Two thanks for the advice on the Camino book. Its been a while since we have had a new "historical novel" to entertain us. Pity we are just coming out of lockdown on the East Coast at least. I will do the investigations early tomorrow for obtaining an e_book first. Cheers
I'm glad you enjoyed reading the book and, although it isn't your favourite, that you appreciated the research Maureen did and that it led you to think about fiction writing.I have finished the book. Reviewing a book such as this is a real problem. As a "normal" read, I might have put it down without comment - not a brilliant piece of literature, but mildly entertaining. However, it is a CAMINO-book, so it is judged differently by camino fans. The Camino content is not huge, but it is enough to keep my interest.
Instead of being too critical, I am trying to imagine what it is like to write a novel with the Camino setting. This makes me wonder what it is like to write a novel, period. I realize it must be hard.
Some comments:
I was impressed with the detailed research described in the Afterword. But I thought that half of the story complications should have been removed, to explore a few themes with more subtlety and care.
- Why do writers need to tell us so bluntly about the gray-blue eyes, wavy blond hair, the gap between his front top teeth? Let us imagine what the people look like, with more subtle clues embedded in the narrative.
- What was it about Armi's character that made everyone love her so much? This wasn't developed very well, as she spent a lot of time recovering from trauma, sleeping, or ill. Everybody wanted her to stay, but I really couldn't figure out why.
- I almost preferred the story-telling of the medieval story part, even though battle strategies always confuse me, and the resolution of the romances was rather convenient.
Still, I enjoyed reading the book, which I borrowed from the library, but it wouldn't be on my recommended list.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?