Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collections
Publication
Sydney : Hodder Headline, 1999.
Description
In France in 1209, Pagan, now an archdeacon, takes on a new scribe named Isidore, a fifteen-year-old epileptic and an orphan, and together they try to survive the siege of Carcassonne.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Jenson_AKA_DL
All Isidore wants is to be allowed to read. However, the backwater village has no books and he believes he is doomed to misery. That is, until chance brings a very unusual Archdeacon and his sick scribe to his village. When Archdeacon Pagan Kidrouk discovers the intelligent young Isidore he is more
Although I immensely enjoyed the first three books of Pagan's adventures, unfortunately Isidore's narrative wasn't quite as compelling. Where Pagan's inner voice was delightfully sarcastic and quick-witted, Isidore's is more pious and unforgiving. Also, it seemed as though the author allowed Pagan more opportunity to grow and learn through his experiences. Although I liked Isidore as a character, it was primarily his observations of Pagan that I enjoyed the most about this story, and not he himself. In that, I really enjoyed watching Pagan and his relationships with other familiar characters through a stranger's eyes. I also felt that the ending of the story seemed very abrupt, almost as though it had been chopped off and bandaged with the addition of an epilogue.
Generally I thought the story was very good, perhaps only suffering by comparison to what I felt were three exceptional predecessors in the series. I was very absorbed in it and I had no problems sticking with the reading (which lately is something I've had a lot of difficulty with). However, inasmuch as I do plan to go back and read the first three books at some point, I’m not sure I would do the same with this one.
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than happy to press the serious young man into service as his scribe. However, serving Father Kidrouk is harder than Isidore could ever imagine. And Isidore has a secret, a devil inside that could jeopardize his new position and cause the Archdeacon to return him to where he started, which is the last place Isidore ever wants to be again.Although I immensely enjoyed the first three books of Pagan's adventures, unfortunately Isidore's narrative wasn't quite as compelling. Where Pagan's inner voice was delightfully sarcastic and quick-witted, Isidore's is more pious and unforgiving. Also, it seemed as though the author allowed Pagan more opportunity to grow and learn through his experiences. Although I liked Isidore as a character, it was primarily his observations of Pagan that I enjoyed the most about this story, and not he himself. In that, I really enjoyed watching Pagan and his relationships with other familiar characters through a stranger's eyes. I also felt that the ending of the story seemed very abrupt, almost as though it had been chopped off and bandaged with the addition of an epilogue.
Generally I thought the story was very good, perhaps only suffering by comparison to what I felt were three exceptional predecessors in the series. I was very absorbed in it and I had no problems sticking with the reading (which lately is something I've had a lot of difficulty with). However, inasmuch as I do plan to go back and read the first three books at some point, I’m not sure I would do the same with this one.
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LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Much richer than the earlier books, in terms of showing emotions (rather than just telling us about them). It also nicely rounded off the story, disposing of Roland and Pagan appropriately and thoroughly and giving Isidore a good place. I just found out there's a fifth one in the series...I'll keep
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an eye out for it (doesn't seem to be out in the US, yet). Show Less
Subjects
Awards
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (2005)
CBCA Book of the Year (Shortlist — Older Readers — 1997)
Victorian Premier's Literary Award (Winner — Schaeffer Pen Prize for Young Adults — 1997)
Language
Original publication date
1996
Physical description
215 p.; 20 cm
ISBN
0733610455 / 9780733610455
Local notes
When he becomes scribe to Pagan Kidrouk, Archdeacon of Carcassonne, the delicate, bookish Isidore is plunged into the real world - the world of Pagan himself, Pagan's beloved Lord Roland, and Roland's enigmatic older brother, Lord Jordan. But the real world, Languedoc in 1209, is a dangerous place, for this is the year in which papal forces from the north begin their bloody crusade against the Cathar heretics. And the battle line is moving closer to Carcassonne.