Status
Available
Collection
Publication
Warner (2004), Edition: 1st
Description
Hugh De Luc, a poor innkeeper, returns home from the First Crusade wearied from battle and disillusioned by carnage. After journeying from the Holy Land back to his own small village, he finds his nightmare is just beginning." In his absence, Hugh's son has been killed and his beloved wife, Sophie, abducted by a ruthless duke in search of a priceless relic dating back to the Crucifixion. Taking on the role of a jester, Hugh infiltrates the court where he believes Sophie is held captive. There he confronts men more evil than he ever imagined and embarks on an epic battle to restore his broken life.
User reviews
LibraryThing member taconsolo
Big dissapointment. I've really enjoyed his past novels (Kiss the Girls, Along Came A Spider) but this one was really bad. Perhaps it's the co-author that made it suck...no depth at all!
LibraryThing member unrequitedlibrarian
Tone of language: Playfully archaic
Plot twists: Takes admirably hard risks
Characters: Earthy, sardonic, straight-talking
Values: Ideal love and political freedom
Pace: Erratic adventurous journey home
Sexuality: Mild ethereal love
Background research: The Crusades
Ending: Hard-won improbable
Offensive to any group: Rude insults
Targeted audience: Men
Flaw: Hero/Jester lacks any strong motive to leave his loving home in the first place.
Plot twists: Takes admirably hard risks
Characters: Earthy, sardonic, straight-talking
Values: Ideal love and political freedom
Pace: Erratic adventurous journey home
Sexuality: Mild ethereal love
Background research: The Crusades
Ending: Hard-won improbable
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victoryOffensive to any group: Rude insults
Targeted audience: Men
Flaw: Hero/Jester lacks any strong motive to leave his loving home in the first place.
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LibraryThing member casanders2015
Restless innkeeper and faithful husband Hugh De Luc joins The Crusade to gain his freedom. Upon his return, he discovers all that is dear to him inexplicably taken by unknown forces. He begins his thrilling quest to recover his losses and unravel the mystery behind the kidnapping at breakneck
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speed. A holy relic and the future of an entire fiefdom are at stake as the innkeeper re-invents himself to lead his friends and neighbors against the evil Stephen, duke of Borée. Fifth grade reading level makes this book an easy reader. Lack of authenticity keeps this book well off the list of recommended "historical fictions"! Show Less
LibraryThing member Heptonj
Not my usual type of read but with James Patterson and Andrew Gross you have to try. Very surprised to find it an interesting, enjoyable book with all the intrigue, surprises and engrossing reading I have come to expect from these two authors. Very easy to read with short chapters, this book has
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sparked an interest in the crusades and middle ages which was totally unexpected. What an extraordinary work of fiction. Show Less
LibraryThing member Djupstrom
YUCK! I am not a fan of this type of story, but I thought James Patterson could give it an interesting twist. Boy was I wrong. Total waste of time.
LibraryThing member Jaylabelle
Historical tale of violence, adventure and undying romance...
LibraryThing member nderdog
A wonderful book! A tad predictable in places, but surprising in others. A great concept made for a book that I just couldn't put down!
LibraryThing member buckeyeaholic
I picked this up when I was in my James Patterson phase. I didn't even read the blurb. When I started listening I was surprised that it wasn't a modern setting. It takes place during the Crusades. It is wonderfully written & opened up a whole new genre to me -- historical fiction.
LibraryThing member rockdg9
This was a great quest story. I loved all the characters and the setting of the 11th century. It did feel a bit saccharin in places though!
LibraryThing member DaddyPupcake
This is the first book by Patterson that I had ever read and made me want to read more of his writings. I found the story to be predictable but I really enjoyed the story anyway.
LibraryThing member erniepratt
Rated: PG-13 Violence, Some Adult Themes
One of my favorite books. This is a very Adventurous historical fiction. It's full of clever twists and turns and includes some romance. If you want a book that pulls you through a range of emotions. This is the book to do it. It is one of the few books that
One of my favorite books. This is a very Adventurous historical fiction. It's full of clever twists and turns and includes some romance. If you want a book that pulls you through a range of emotions. This is the book to do it. It is one of the few books that
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I have read more than once. Show Less
LibraryThing member cookiecat
Not to be recommended !
Plain old STOOOPID !!
Plain old STOOOPID !!
LibraryThing member Buffy-Tinkes
James Patterson does it again with the help of Andrew Gross!!! These two have created an inspiring page turner, you follow Hugh through his struggles to fight in the holy crusade, deal with terrible sadness and injustice, and yet still rise up and challenge those who did him wrong. I highly
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recommend this book to anyone who loves a good historical fiction novel. Show Less
LibraryThing member debavp
I obviously had no clue about this book. I did a double take the first pages in to make sure it was truly written by the James Patterson. The 11th century, James Patterson? The Crusades, James Patterson? Yeah, but I have read stranger things than this in my time so on I proceeded.
This is written in
As historical fiction, I didn't learn anything earth shattering. I did have to consult my dictionary twice though. The story moves along quickly as do all of Patterson's work. The plot was predictable and the language was quite crude at times and
inconsistent as well.
This is written in
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the typical Patterson format, short chapters with economical writing, which is surely why I continued onward. I have no sense of what Andrew Gross brought to the party, other than perhaps he picked the subject??As historical fiction, I didn't learn anything earth shattering. I did have to consult my dictionary twice though. The story moves along quickly as do all of Patterson's work. The plot was predictable and the language was quite crude at times and
inconsistent as well.
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LibraryThing member bookczuk
Read this years ago, and remember liking it, despite the rather liberal sprinkling for the slang word for fornicate, which also begins with "f".
LibraryThing member diananagy
Now James Patterson, He is My Ultimate Fave Author!
LibraryThing member nmg1
read this years ago on holiday, after picking it up from the hotel lobby. from what i remember, it was a very entertaining read with an intruiging plot full of surprise and suspense. i'll probably re-read it soon enough, based on how much i remember enjoying it
LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
James Patterson is an excellent writer. I enjoy his style and use of words. But...
This was given me by a friend who wasn't too fond of it. I thought I would try and read it. I did and it took a bit. It wasn't the subject, the characters or the story line that made me drag my heels...it was the
I did finish the book and liked the fact that the chapters were short and quick reads. It made it easier than having to struggle through a 30 page chapter of blood and guts.
For me this wasn't as good a read as I would have liked. But that doesn't mean I won't read other Patterson works. Like I said...he is a good writer.
This was given me by a friend who wasn't too fond of it. I thought I would try and read it. I did and it took a bit. It wasn't the subject, the characters or the story line that made me drag my heels...it was the
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brutality and way male genitalia was used to for name calling. I realize that the time of the Crusades was a brutal time and men may have been coarse amongst themselves, but it just wasn't something I wanted to read.I did finish the book and liked the fact that the chapters were short and quick reads. It made it easier than having to struggle through a 30 page chapter of blood and guts.
For me this wasn't as good a read as I would have liked. But that doesn't mean I won't read other Patterson works. Like I said...he is a good writer.
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LibraryThing member ct.bergeron
Hugh De Luc returns from the Crusades to discover that his terrifying nightmare has just begun. Merciless killers have slain his young son, kidnapped his wife, Sophie, and destroyed his town in their search for a priceless relic from the Crucifixion. Hugh's quest to find Sophie is one of the most
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pulse-pounding adventures, mysteries, and unforgettable love stories in all of thriller fiction. Show Less
LibraryThing member PaulaGalvan
I picked this book out to read because it was Patterson, and with a title like The Jester, I figured it would be an awesome thriller. Surprise! It was about a peasant, Hugh, who joins the Holy Wars in eleventh-century France, then becomes a jester to survive after returning home with a relic he
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doesn't realize he has. The plot story was predictable and silly. The only redeeming quality was Hugh's wit and his jokes. They were funny. Show Less
LibraryThing member avhacker
this book was reallly good! It ept me on my toes and i had to keep reading this book!! i could bnot keep it down. It will make you mad about ignorant people thioguh.
LibraryThing member valentipoetry
The first James Patterson book I ever read that was not modern day. The book is based on the christian crusades and what one man does to get back at the soldiers who murdered his wife and child.
LibraryThing member dianneritz
Crusades story of an innkeeper, who joined the Crusades, left with a simply staff/walking stick taken from a fallen priest. This staff turns out to be the lance that pierced Jesus on the cross and is highly coverted by all. Hugh, the Jester, seeks revenge for the killing of his wife and newborn
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son, and ends up leading a revolution of farmers and craftsmen, against the all powerful and totally heartless Lords of the area of France. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
0446613843 / 9780446613842