"The troubadour of the gatehouse " Marie Visconti is a book I have been through the operation organized by Critical Mass Babélio. This is actually Partnership and what I love about these discussions is that we can discover new authors, genres, innovative and often beautiful literary pearls. Maybe I've been lucky because I have never yet been disappointed. I am certainly "public good", but still.
In the case of historical detective by Marie Visconti, I can already tell you it's a little bit of heart earlier this year. The author is known as an expert on ancient myths and medieval literature and this reputation is deserved. This associate professor of letters certainly a bright future as a writer. But rather than talk at length, presenting instead the title that interests us today.
What you read on the back cover and which can already make you want to read this book:
is a crime that embarrasses many medieval rulers of the kingdom of France, this fall 1226: libel, copied by an anonymous hand and introduced to the royal palace in the mud behind the beloved Queen Blanche of Castille.
To defuse the political crisis, we must entrust the investigation to an unofficial figure, a loner dedicated to the Queen. Josserand said the " Grammarian "will be the man for the job. Except that Josserand, instead of finding libels, begins to discover the bodies. And in Paris along the Seine, suspects abound: a shadowy child-woman, too prosperous merchants, knights in hot blood, or the mysterious troubadour du Chatelet, which responds to all through a song.
But time is running out: the threats against the kingdom accumulate ... and alarming news arrived on the king's health. A police investigation dense, rhythmically taut and maintains the suspense until the final pages. Maria Visconti is this new mystery novel at the time Louis VIII, son of Philip Augustus, husband of Blanche of Castile and father of the future St. Louis. Far from the images of Epinal, this is a lively medieval Paris, secrets and phantasmagoria.
What I could think after reading all:
"The troubadour du Chatelet " is actually a cop and as I appreciate the medieval historical novels and thrillers, such as combining two genera, he went ahead with a fun side to come.
During discovery, the positive elements have accumulated:
- I enjoyed the choice of historical period (this happens in 1226).
is known both high and low on the time and detective stories are not legions in such a framework. The Middle Ages in any case the historical period in which my knowledge is most limited.
- I appreciated the respect for historical truth as far as this can cause yes, I know a fair bit of time, but still, I am a historian by training and I say some pretty solid foundations.
Respect the historical context is not always appropriate in the intrigues police, but then, not only Mary Visconti wanted to write a good fiction credibility both in the field of investigation to be conducted in the environment in which the protagonists.
- I enjoyed the many twists and turns, always believable. No lengths, the balance between the highlights (action) and time of Inquiry own reflection. The first murder does not occur until page 92, but regardless, there are other elements to search. The fact that dead bodies do not accumulate from the first pages does not bother me absolutely. It is rather a strong point of this story. The victims show that the research was justified by the grammarians and above the tree hiding the forest. The plot finds them reinforced.
" The owner was lying on his stomach. The grammarians bent: the skull base was a large wound. On the ground, sprawled and scattered records of the shrine of bronze, covered with blood.
- Sir Panfil has been slain, he said. It is murder! prevent Hucheloup Run, at the Chatelet. "
point too morbid detail, just enough for the reader to visualize the scene and become aware that there is tilted in a case more complex, larger, more dangerous!
- I appreciated that the choice of title is clearly explained in the book itself.
How many times I wondered why such a title for a particular book? No possible link between the two, whichever is the later "seller". Because yes, literature is also subject to the laws of market and profitability.
Here, everything is clearly stated on page 40:
" - Le Châtelet is horrible prison, Marceau.
- Girard, there is often. My father called" the troubadour du Chatelet "."
A good title is important. This anchors the story itself. Finally, this is just my opinion ...
- I enjoyed the variety of characters, from various environments, but complement each other perfectly.
were all ages, the backgrounds, experiences, experiences, professions and also the ambitions! It is a most important element in this type of story because it can be an excellent mobile
... I had a soft spot for the young Marceau. That may be a dunce, but he forgot to be devoid of all intelligence and many valuable clues will come voluntarily or not the boy. The grammarians
is mysterious and yet he is conducting the investigation. His personality will reveal itself a bit over the pages, but know we really have it in the end? Quite a few things and it gives an aura that I liked. The Cathie
horripilée me. I wanted to put her in her place and as Sir Panfil give him a good slap. It's not very nice, but true. Maria Visconti was able to make it annoying and it is possible authorship of providing a positive influence or not his characters.
- I liked the fluidity of the writing, the richness of the whole.
course, it is not in the Name of the Rose "by Umberto Ecco, but still," The troubadour du Chatelet "not be ashamed.
I nothing particularly wrong with this book. it is not perfect, but no minis flaws I could mention only worth it to darken more than one page computer monitor. These are only details we will therefore mention not to give them more importance than they actually have.
A comprehensive book that respects the codes of the genre, but who can also stand out a bit so we do not forget it just closed.
My final score: 17 / 20
0 comments:
Post a Comment