Hmm ...... this novel of medieval France by Fiona Avery is a hard one to categorise.
Okay - it is basically a story of the early life of St. Isabelle of France - daughter of Blanche of Castile and sister of St. Louis. It roughly covers her younger years from the period of 1234 to 1242 - the last chapter catching up with Isabelle in her last years.
It is a curious novel as is delves into the mystique of local French legends, religious relics and secret societies - so be warned, this is not a "straight" biographic retelling of the life of a medieval saint.
The "relationships" between the French royal family, and with those around them, makes for an interesting by-play.
But to quote the inside jacket of the book:
"The Crown Rose portrays the mystery of one man who enters Isabelle's life at several key moments, becoming her icon, her soul's other half, and her destiny - a man who may, in fact, be much more that an ordinary man."
You really have to keep reading it to discover the mystery of this Man - I literally could not put it down. I kept wanting to have a break from reading, but couldn't - so I sat and read, and read till finished.
Look I enjoyed this book - and will most likely read it again within the next six months.
Okay - it is basically a story of the early life of St. Isabelle of France - daughter of Blanche of Castile and sister of St. Louis. It roughly covers her younger years from the period of 1234 to 1242 - the last chapter catching up with Isabelle in her last years.
It is a curious novel as is delves into the mystique of local French legends, religious relics and secret societies - so be warned, this is not a "straight" biographic retelling of the life of a medieval saint.
The "relationships" between the French royal family, and with those around them, makes for an interesting by-play.
But to quote the inside jacket of the book:
"The Crown Rose portrays the mystery of one man who enters Isabelle's life at several key moments, becoming her icon, her soul's other half, and her destiny - a man who may, in fact, be much more that an ordinary man."
You really have to keep reading it to discover the mystery of this Man - I literally could not put it down. I kept wanting to have a break from reading, but couldn't - so I sat and read, and read till finished.
Look I enjoyed this book - and will most likely read it again within the next six months.
