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 Faith, Peace, and Murder May 12, 2008
I've always loved the Brother Cadfael series of books. This, the first of the series, was written rather late (1977) in Ellis Peters's writing career, which began in 1936, so it has none of the usual first-novel problems. By the time she wrote it, Ms Peters had fully realized the character of Brother Cadfael. (Ellis Peters is the pen name of Edith Pargeter, a well-known scholar and translator of Czech literature, who died in 1995.)
Some mystery novels leave me with a strange taste in my mouth afterwards, sometimes a metallic taste as if the "food" was a bit off, or with a distinct feeling of distaste as if I'd eaten something that definitely disagreed with me.
Not the Brother Cadfael novels. There is nothing jarring or disgusting about them, because Brother Cadfael is himself a comforting, steadying presence in them. The plotting is good, and Ms Peters plays fair with the reader. I'm left with a satisfying sense that the world is a better place for having Brother Cadfael, at least in fictional form, in it.
Yet even so, she never shirks or blinks at unpleasant events, such as the murder of nuns, the struggles of a cloistered man with his sexual urges, the unbridled ambition and lust for power in a time of civil war in England (the 12th century). Only the some of the more nauseating details are left to the reader's imagination. Her historical research is impeccable, and she never feels it necessary to talk down to the reader by explaining details we can get from the context. A "cotte," for example, may be taken for a "coat," and so it was.
I have loved these novels since I discovered them 25 years ago, and I hope you do, too.
This being the first chronicle of Brother Cadfael April 3, 2008
After a lifetime of adventure, leaving his native Wales as a young man to answer the call of the Crusades, traveling to exotic lands and learning much in his journeys Cadfael was ready to spend the rest of his life in peace and contemplation. He returned to England and joined a Benedictine monestary hoping to spend his remaining years quietly tending his herb garden. He soon learned though that conflict and intrigues existed within the quiet monestary walls as well. Cadfael's little monestary had little claim to fame, no miracles had occured there, it had no saintly relics nothing to attract pilgrims (or their alms). One of the brothers had a vision of St. Winifred calling to the brothers to come take her bones from her quiet little Welsh village.
Despite his own personal misgivings about the validity of their mission Cadfael did as he was bid and joined the party to retrieve the bones. His assigned task was to be intrepreter but he was soon called upon to use his skills as an investigator to unmask a murderer.
This is not an easy, quick read like many mysteries. It is definitely worth the effort though. Peters transports the reader to the little Benedictine monestary and brings the Middle Ages to life. This book is a great start to a promising series that holds appear to both history buffs and mystery fans.
Cadfael Begins February 14, 2008
A Morbid Taste for Bones is a wonderful conundrum, and ends with an understanding of the needs of the different peoples in the tale. Ellis Peter's understanding of the human condition, and one's need for a grounded spirituality, is evidenced through this story.
The first Cadfael and a great mystery October 27, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
As with many books or stories that we get involve with, the characters and their relationships to others in the environment is an important as the mystery. Ellis Peters (Edith Pargeter) strikes a balance between the characters, history and the mystery. Sprinkled throughout is faith, and a chance that they (the monks) may be correct in the explanation of saints and how the world works.
The external environment is the ongoing 11th century civil war between English King Stephen and his sister the Empress Maude. We also have references to the different societies as they travel to Wales. These become more relevant as the series progresses.
The inward struggle between faith and power is depicted as an individual monk is persuaded or wants to be persuaded to go on a mission to retrieve a neglected saint "St. Winifred." She lies in Wales and it happens that Brother Cadfael has a Welsh background, so he is charged with supporting the mission.
If you saw the movie you will immediately see the differences between it and he book. One main point is the fact that the monk was cured before the trip. The best difference is reviled with the detection and solution to the mystery.
 Not Free SF Reader September 3, 2007
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
A decent period detective story, very English style, so to speak. You have an avuncular, likable, main character, who is sharper than he appears to those around him, and uses that to his advantage. A bit Middle English Midsomer Murders, almost, you could say, but that sort of style.
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