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Silk Road
Silk Road weaves a spellbinding tale of courage, danger and human frailty onto the vast tapestry of the medieval Orient.
The Holy Land, 1260: Josseran Sarrazini is a Templar Knight, trained for war. But as the Christian garrisons in the Holy Land begin to fall to the Saracen, he must embark upon a mission of peace: to the golden palaces at Xanadu, to seek an alliance with Kublai Khan, ruler of the greatest empire in history and commander of the invincible Mongol horde.
Josseran’s task is formidable. To ride the treacherous Silk Road to the edge of the known world. To cheat hunger, thirst, and death. And to forge a crucial allegiance with a people who do not honor his cause, or his God.
From the Storehouse of Winds to the Palace of Myriad Tranquillities, from the Pamirs and Hindu Kush to the legendary Xanadu and the dazzling court of Kublai Khan, this is adventure on a breath-taking scale.
The Holy Land, 1260: Josseran Sarrazini is a Templar Knight, trained for war. But as the Christian garrisons in the Holy Land begin to fall to the Saracen, he must embark upon a mission of peace: to the golden palaces at Xanadu, to seek an alliance with Kublai Khan, ruler of the greatest empire in history and commander of the invincible Mongol horde.
Josseran’s task is formidable. To ride the treacherous Silk Road to the edge of the known world. To cheat hunger, thirst, and death. And to forge a crucial allegiance with a people who do not honor his cause, or his God.
From the Storehouse of Winds to the Palace of Myriad Tranquillities, from the Pamirs and Hindu Kush to the legendary Xanadu and the dazzling court of Kublai Khan, this is adventure on a breath-taking scale.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
About the author
Colin Falconer
68 books612 followersPart thriller. Part history. All adventure.
Colin Falconer’s popular Epic Adventure series of standalone historical thrillers includes the bestselling SILK ROAD.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N92GHK4
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColinFalcone...
Colin Falconer’s popular Epic Adventure series of standalone historical thrillers includes the bestselling SILK ROAD.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N92GHK4
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColinFalcone...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 370 reviews
April 22, 2013
These are the kinds of historical fiction books I dream of. Richly detailed, well researched, a natural harmony between dialogue and non dialogue - never being too much of one or the other - a lesson in history and some engaging characters thrown in. Oh, and I am a little partial to journey stories too. They are one of my favourite ways for an author to channel an historical adventure story.
These are all facets that I look for in an historical fiction and if they hit the right points of balance then when I come to sections that I may not like, and even the best books in the world have those, it does not ruin the book for me. And Silk Road, she was nearly a perfect girl. Nearly.
The description on the book makes one think that the book is going to be a love story. Between the Tatar princess Khutelun and the Templar Knight, Josseran Sarrazini, but it isn't, well, that is not entirely true, there is some love story in Silk Road although it is not dramatically present. Not a festival of murmured love words and swooning, which is a festival I do not want to buy a ticket to. It is background fodder concerning two adults who knew a dalliance was a waste of time due to their immensely disparate cultures.
As I say though, it was there, but it was background fodder. To my reading eyes the star of the show was the aggravating and annoying Dominican Friar, William. To me this felt like his story and not the story of Khutelun and Josseran. Others may have an alternate view on that, but to me it was all about him and his intractable belief that he could bring Christ to the barbarians. To the Khans of the Steppes. On his way to achieve that he makes life difficult for everyone and everything around him. The tribes, the individuals charged with escorting him, Khutelun, Josseran. He had no allies, only enemies on his journey over the Roof of the World and into the bosom of the worlds greatest Khans.
I found myself wanting often to see him get killed off as he was not a pleasant creature. While I cannot tell you if he is killed off or not, I must admit, he is integral to the story from the beginning and the source of as much humour (the laughing at him, not the laughing with him kind) as the angst.
The world Colin Falconer described here is now piled on top of impressions I already had of the Silk Road. He describes them magnificently and makes you feel and see what the characters feel and see. Falconer dealt with it as if he had been there himself, and I suppose maybe he has if he has travelled to these parts of Asia and the desert nations, for many of these very same markets and landscapes detailed in the book still exist to this day.
The one failing I had with the book was enough for me to give the book 4 stars out of 5. Although, more accurately, 4.5 stars out of 5. There was a section that I cannot go into without spoiling the story for you, where there was nothing happening for about a hundred pages of what was a 460 page book. No real plot or story evolved in this section and I got bored. Luckily the story got back on track and I was able to continue on and enjoy the book enough to feel comfortable in recommending it to others who like this era historical fiction.
Silk Road by Colin Falconer. If you like Templars, Mongols and desert. Think about it. It might be what you are looking for.
These are all facets that I look for in an historical fiction and if they hit the right points of balance then when I come to sections that I may not like, and even the best books in the world have those, it does not ruin the book for me. And Silk Road, she was nearly a perfect girl. Nearly.
The description on the book makes one think that the book is going to be a love story. Between the Tatar princess Khutelun and the Templar Knight, Josseran Sarrazini, but it isn't, well, that is not entirely true, there is some love story in Silk Road although it is not dramatically present. Not a festival of murmured love words and swooning, which is a festival I do not want to buy a ticket to. It is background fodder concerning two adults who knew a dalliance was a waste of time due to their immensely disparate cultures.
As I say though, it was there, but it was background fodder. To my reading eyes the star of the show was the aggravating and annoying Dominican Friar, William. To me this felt like his story and not the story of Khutelun and Josseran. Others may have an alternate view on that, but to me it was all about him and his intractable belief that he could bring Christ to the barbarians. To the Khans of the Steppes. On his way to achieve that he makes life difficult for everyone and everything around him. The tribes, the individuals charged with escorting him, Khutelun, Josseran. He had no allies, only enemies on his journey over the Roof of the World and into the bosom of the worlds greatest Khans.
I found myself wanting often to see him get killed off as he was not a pleasant creature. While I cannot tell you if he is killed off or not, I must admit, he is integral to the story from the beginning and the source of as much humour (the laughing at him, not the laughing with him kind) as the angst.
The world Colin Falconer described here is now piled on top of impressions I already had of the Silk Road. He describes them magnificently and makes you feel and see what the characters feel and see. Falconer dealt with it as if he had been there himself, and I suppose maybe he has if he has travelled to these parts of Asia and the desert nations, for many of these very same markets and landscapes detailed in the book still exist to this day.
The one failing I had with the book was enough for me to give the book 4 stars out of 5. Although, more accurately, 4.5 stars out of 5. There was a section that I cannot go into without spoiling the story for you, where there was nothing happening for about a hundred pages of what was a 460 page book. No real plot or story evolved in this section and I got bored. Luckily the story got back on track and I was able to continue on and enjoy the book enough to feel comfortable in recommending it to others who like this era historical fiction.
Silk Road by Colin Falconer. If you like Templars, Mongols and desert. Think about it. It might be what you are looking for.
May 22, 2022
This is such a lovely story.
I've become hung up on the history of the Silk Road(s) and those who lived and traded along these routes. In searching for other works I cam upon this and although a novel, I couldn't stop myself: my weekend reading. I am becoming a lady of leisure.
An adventure-romance set in the days of the Mongol Empire: a Christian Knight escorts a papal emissary on a long and dangerous journey across Persia in the hope of converting the infidels. Along the way, the knight meets up with a 'hot' young lass who knows a thing or two about the ways of the warrior.
I don't know how feasible that could be, but it does hang off a few threads I've picked up from my recent readings.
I believe a number of ladies held down senior positions amongst the warrior-class within the Mongol armies.
All that said: the telling of this story is captivating, the characters, the land, the customs, culture and all a joy to read.
A guilt torn warrior knight.
A narrow-minded, unpleasant 'Bible-Basher'.
A sexy gal - a match for any knight who might think otherwise.
All causing interactions that question the politics and beliefs of those times.
What more could one want?
And finally ......... does the boy win the girl?
I enjoyed every bit of this.
Now, ......... I'm on the look-out for adventures (fiction included) on the Silk Road(s) and all recommendations are welcomed.
I've become hung up on the history of the Silk Road(s) and those who lived and traded along these routes. In searching for other works I cam upon this and although a novel, I couldn't stop myself: my weekend reading. I am becoming a lady of leisure.
An adventure-romance set in the days of the Mongol Empire: a Christian Knight escorts a papal emissary on a long and dangerous journey across Persia in the hope of converting the infidels. Along the way, the knight meets up with a 'hot' young lass who knows a thing or two about the ways of the warrior.
I don't know how feasible that could be, but it does hang off a few threads I've picked up from my recent readings.
I believe a number of ladies held down senior positions amongst the warrior-class within the Mongol armies.
All that said: the telling of this story is captivating, the characters, the land, the customs, culture and all a joy to read.
A guilt torn warrior knight.
A narrow-minded, unpleasant 'Bible-Basher'.
A sexy gal - a match for any knight who might think otherwise.
All causing interactions that question the politics and beliefs of those times.
What more could one want?
And finally ......... does the boy win the girl?
I enjoyed every bit of this.
Now, ......... I'm on the look-out for adventures (fiction included) on the Silk Road(s) and all recommendations are welcomed.
August 1, 2019
داستان کتابی مثله دختر مغول ، نه فراز و اوجی داره ، نه نشیب و سقوطی ، یک داستان خیلی معمولیه که دور از هر گونه پپیچیدگی و با ساختاری خطی و ساده جلو میره ، داستانش نه جذابیت چندانی داره و نه یک داستان کسل کننده است ، محیط داستان در قرن سیزدهم ، زمانی که اروپا در سالهای سیاه بود و آسیا در چنگال مغول ها می گذره ، داستانش هم معمولیه ، آدم های داستان هم معمولین ، هیچ کدام نه اندیشه خاصی دارن و نه طبق روال داستانهای این گونه بر و روی خاص و جذابی دارن .
مهمترین نکته کتاب همان معمولی و عادی بودن همه چیز و نداشتن هیچ نکته خاصیه !
مهمترین نکته کتاب همان معمولی و عادی بودن همه چیز و نداشتن هیچ نکته خاصیه !
June 8, 2013
“Silk Road” by Colin Falconer is well named because the silk road itself is the most complex, vivid and well-drawn character of the book. Falconer clearly did his research about the route itself – its changing geography and climates, and the diverse and fascinating people, who lived along it during the 13th century. His descriptions of the route itself are vivid, informative and evocative, as are his meticulous and convincing portrayals of Mongolian culture, life-style and politics in this period.
Indeed, Falconer does an outstanding job of giving the reader insight into the Mongolian mentality and ethos without romanticizing it. He is brutally honest about the repulsive excesses – of both drink and violence – without being self-satisfied or smug. All in all, I felt he provided a balanced and nuanced picture of this, for us, alien society. Likewise, his description of how the women’s feet were crushed and bound in China is one of the most brutally honest descriptions I have ever read.
Unfortunately, Falconer does not match his very impressive knowledge of the Mongols and the topography of Asia with equal knowledge and understanding of the Christian world in the 13th century. He depicts France and Provence of the 13th century as if he were describing Norsemen half a millennia earlier – huddling around smoking fires and wearing furs! Really? St. Louis? The man who commissioned St. Chapelle? The popes that built the palaces in Poitiers and Avignon? Another jarring example of his ignorance of French society is Falconer’s allegation that French women could not inherit property. Try telling that to Eleanor of Aquitaine. Falconer appears not to have read Joinville’s account of the St. Louis’ crusade, or he would know King Louis could not command his Queen to so much as pay his ransom! He could ask it, not command it. Finally, allow me a third example: Falconer repeatedly claims that Westerners did not bathe frequently and some were “afraid” to do so. Absurd! Bathing is described in medieval books, depicted in medieval manuscripts and evidenced by archeology. While the wealthy had their own baths, the poor went to bath-houses and tips were called “bath money” not “drinking money.” It may have been more difficult to bathe and so people certainly bathed less frequently, but that made it more valued, not despised. It was only after the Reformation – and the spread of a strict morality that saw bath houses as hotbeds of sin -- that hygiene deteriorated dramatically in European cities. Given the fact that much of the dynamic of “Silk Road” rests on comparisons between “the West” and the cultures of the East, this profound ignorance of Western culture destroys the power and impact of Falconer’s alleged comparisons.
Similarly, I found Falconer’s Mongol characters vivid and convincing. I liked his heroine Khetelun and her father very much. They came to life for me in all their complexity and contradictions. Kubilai and Miao-yen are likewise complex and compelling characters. But Falconer fails miserably in making William a believable character. William remains a caricature of heartless bigotry. Furthermore, he is as a character monotone and so uninteresting. I kept hoping for some nuance, some change, some insight, but he remained flat, predictable and so boring. Josseran eventually takes on some contours, but most of the book he is simply a vehicle for criticizing “Western” civilization – not as it was but as Falconer in his ignorance imagines it was. He is obsessed with his sexuality and so in place of real dialectic with different cultures and religions, with have shadow-boxing.
The structure of “Silk Road” had the potential to offer provocative challenges to our understanding of Christianity, but it fell flat because the “Christianity” of this book is an empty façade, only superficially related to the religion itself. Certainly there were bigots and hypocrites, who called themselves Christians and even preached Christianity, but if this book were to seriously examine the merits of the various cultures and theologies, it would have to portray not the counterfeit but the genuine “coin” of all the religions. It would have to discuss the religion itself – not create a straw man of sheer bigotry.
At times I had the impression that Falconer genuinely hated Christianity, but in the end I decided he simply shied away for serious, theological debate. It was easier to describe the superficial differences of simplistic characters than explore the depths of a complex theology.
In short, it’s not a bad book if you want to learn more about the Mongols in the second generation after Genghis Khan, but beware of the misinformation about Medieval Europe and don’t expect a genuine discussion of the theological differences between the great religions of the period.
Indeed, Falconer does an outstanding job of giving the reader insight into the Mongolian mentality and ethos without romanticizing it. He is brutally honest about the repulsive excesses – of both drink and violence – without being self-satisfied or smug. All in all, I felt he provided a balanced and nuanced picture of this, for us, alien society. Likewise, his description of how the women’s feet were crushed and bound in China is one of the most brutally honest descriptions I have ever read.
Unfortunately, Falconer does not match his very impressive knowledge of the Mongols and the topography of Asia with equal knowledge and understanding of the Christian world in the 13th century. He depicts France and Provence of the 13th century as if he were describing Norsemen half a millennia earlier – huddling around smoking fires and wearing furs! Really? St. Louis? The man who commissioned St. Chapelle? The popes that built the palaces in Poitiers and Avignon? Another jarring example of his ignorance of French society is Falconer’s allegation that French women could not inherit property. Try telling that to Eleanor of Aquitaine. Falconer appears not to have read Joinville’s account of the St. Louis’ crusade, or he would know King Louis could not command his Queen to so much as pay his ransom! He could ask it, not command it. Finally, allow me a third example: Falconer repeatedly claims that Westerners did not bathe frequently and some were “afraid” to do so. Absurd! Bathing is described in medieval books, depicted in medieval manuscripts and evidenced by archeology. While the wealthy had their own baths, the poor went to bath-houses and tips were called “bath money” not “drinking money.” It may have been more difficult to bathe and so people certainly bathed less frequently, but that made it more valued, not despised. It was only after the Reformation – and the spread of a strict morality that saw bath houses as hotbeds of sin -- that hygiene deteriorated dramatically in European cities. Given the fact that much of the dynamic of “Silk Road” rests on comparisons between “the West” and the cultures of the East, this profound ignorance of Western culture destroys the power and impact of Falconer’s alleged comparisons.
Similarly, I found Falconer’s Mongol characters vivid and convincing. I liked his heroine Khetelun and her father very much. They came to life for me in all their complexity and contradictions. Kubilai and Miao-yen are likewise complex and compelling characters. But Falconer fails miserably in making William a believable character. William remains a caricature of heartless bigotry. Furthermore, he is as a character monotone and so uninteresting. I kept hoping for some nuance, some change, some insight, but he remained flat, predictable and so boring. Josseran eventually takes on some contours, but most of the book he is simply a vehicle for criticizing “Western” civilization – not as it was but as Falconer in his ignorance imagines it was. He is obsessed with his sexuality and so in place of real dialectic with different cultures and religions, with have shadow-boxing.
The structure of “Silk Road” had the potential to offer provocative challenges to our understanding of Christianity, but it fell flat because the “Christianity” of this book is an empty façade, only superficially related to the religion itself. Certainly there were bigots and hypocrites, who called themselves Christians and even preached Christianity, but if this book were to seriously examine the merits of the various cultures and theologies, it would have to portray not the counterfeit but the genuine “coin” of all the religions. It would have to discuss the religion itself – not create a straw man of sheer bigotry.
At times I had the impression that Falconer genuinely hated Christianity, but in the end I decided he simply shied away for serious, theological debate. It was easier to describe the superficial differences of simplistic characters than explore the depths of a complex theology.
In short, it’s not a bad book if you want to learn more about the Mongols in the second generation after Genghis Khan, but beware of the misinformation about Medieval Europe and don’t expect a genuine discussion of the theological differences between the great religions of the period.
September 2, 2020
Така, г-н Фалконър още една история разказана прекрасно под вашето перо. Твърдя и смятам, че се усеща умението ви да разказвате увлекателни истории с различни степени на драма, жестокост или романтика. Във всяка книга сте различен и непредсказуем. Тук се усеща старание от ваша страна за достоверност до колкото е възможно за периодът през 1260г. Не съм правила справка за всичко, но се усеща някаква достоверност между страниците и дребни битови детайли, за които явно имаме някакво писмено наследство.Нама да навлизам в детайли, но смятам,че историята му се е получила и е добре изпипана.
Героите са живи и пластови, действието е едно епично пътешествие.
Папата на Рим изпраща монахът Уилям на мисия в дивите, пълна с еретици земи на Монголците (татарите)да ги въведе в правата вяра.В град Акра се прикачат към монаха и главния ни герой тамплиерът Жосеран, в последна мисия преди да напусне ордена и да заживее нормален живот във Франция. Насочват се към империята на Татарите, където във Ферганската долина, владение на хан Кайду, съдейства с войници предвождани от дъщеря му, татарската принцеса Хутлун
Хутлун помага на монахът приличащ на гарван и тамплиерът приличащ на варварин да преминат Покрива на света за да се явят пред "ханът на хановете" в Каракорум. Епичното начинание с тази дива и непокорна особа, добре обучена да язди,лови и защитава, по-скоро родена за мъж от колкото за жена -Хутлун, монахът-фанатик до болка набожен,мечтаещ да разнесе божието слово, така трагикомично изграден и тамплиер объркан в своята вяра, някак уморен и покаял се за своите грешки, готов да се оттегли след тази мисия и да заживее спокоен живот. Колкото повече напредва мисията им толкова по невъзможна и безмислена изглежда тя. Навлизат във водовъртеж на политически вътрешни интриги и размирици.Тази мисия се оказва и пътешествие към самите тях,откриват отговорите кои са те всъщност, кои всъщност са варвари, какво е Бог и дали техния има място в тази силна и развита империя на Монголците.
Това е времето, когато татарите са в най-големия си разцвет при Хубилай (Кубилай) хан (провъзгласил се по-късно за Китайски император), внук на Чингис хан.
Последните финални страници бяха силни и шокиращи.
Като емоция 4-4,5
Старание за изграждане на сюжета, а нали си ми любимец 5*
Героите са живи и пластови, действието е едно епично пътешествие.
Папата на Рим изпраща монахът Уилям на мисия в дивите, пълна с еретици земи на Монголците (татарите)да ги въведе в правата вяра.В град Акра се прикачат към монаха и главния ни герой тамплиерът Жосеран, в последна мисия преди да напусне ордена и да заживее нормален живот във Франция. Насочват се към империята на Татарите, където във Ферганската долина, владение на хан Кайду, съдейства с войници предвождани от дъщеря му, татарската принцеса Хутлун
Хутлун помага на монахът приличащ на гарван и тамплиерът приличащ на варварин да преминат Покрива на света за да се явят пред "ханът на хановете" в Каракорум. Епичното начинание с тази дива и непокорна особа, добре обучена да язди,лови и защитава, по-скоро родена за мъж от колкото за жена -Хутлун, монахът-фанатик до болка набожен,мечтаещ да разнесе божието слово, така трагикомично изграден и тамплиер объркан в своята вяра, някак уморен и покаял се за своите грешки, готов да се оттегли след тази мисия и да заживее спокоен живот. Колкото повече напредва мисията им толкова по невъзможна и безмислена изглежда тя. Навлизат във водовъртеж на политически вътрешни интриги и размирици.Тази мисия се оказва и пътешествие към самите тях,откриват отговорите кои са те всъщност, кои всъщност са варвари, какво е Бог и дали техния има място в тази силна и развита империя на Монголците.
Това е времето, когато татарите са в най-големия си разцвет при Хубилай (Кубилай) хан (провъзгласил се по-късно за Китайски император), внук на Чингис хан.
Последните финални страници бяха силни и шокиращи.
Като емоция 4-4,5
Старание за изграждане на сюжета, а нали си ми любимец 5*
May 9, 2021
Having just finished reading, ‘The Silk Roads: A New History of the World’, Professor Frankopan’s account of things back then, this was a rather jolly read.
A love story, in an uncertain age: and not what I expected.
It does point a censuring finger at the shackles that religion (Christianity to the largest part) does have on the development of a civilisation. Something Professor Frankopan is not shy of highlighting.
Undoubtedly a good amount of research is behind this tale and I do imagine that an expedition such as that invented for this novel might well have taken place.
I commend the author for the richness of colour bestowed upon all that surrounds the meeting of the two main characters and their eventual union.
A relaxing and most enjoyable read.
A love story, in an uncertain age: and not what I expected.
It does point a censuring finger at the shackles that religion (Christianity to the largest part) does have on the development of a civilisation. Something Professor Frankopan is not shy of highlighting.
Undoubtedly a good amount of research is behind this tale and I do imagine that an expedition such as that invented for this novel might well have taken place.
I commend the author for the richness of colour bestowed upon all that surrounds the meeting of the two main characters and their eventual union.
A relaxing and most enjoyable read.
September 21, 2022
یکی از بهترین رمانهای که خوندم، رمانِ دختر مغول بود
عشق ممنوعه یک شوالیه صلیبی به یک دختر خان زاده مغول
داستان از جایی شروع میشه که بدستور پاپ یک کشیش مزخرفِ بوگندو که بخاطر مریض نشدن حمام نمیرفت مامور شده بود تا به دیدار خانِ خانان مغولها در مغولستان بره اون هم زمانی که هلاکوخان اروپا رو درنوردیده بود اون هم به این منظور که با مغولها بر علیه مسلمانان متعهد بشن تا اورشلیم شهر مقدس رو از مسلمانان پس بگیرن و در این راه یک شوالیه به نام ژوسران مامور حفاظت از جان این کشیش مزخرف میشه.
اسم دختر زیبای یکی از خانهای مغول، خوتل��ن بود که در سوارکاری و تیراندازی رقیبی نداشت و شرطش برای ازدواج این بود که شاهزادگان مغولی در سوارکاری و تیراندازی شکستش بدن که هیچکس تا اون زمان موفق نشده بود.
اطلاعات نویسنده کتاب از مغولستان و مغولها و مناطق جغرافیاییشون به حدی بالا بود که من به عنوان یک نویسنده واقعا این نویسنده چیرهدست و توانا رو در دل بارها تحسین کردم
واقعه این رمان به زمان ۱۲۶۴ پس از میلاد در حال وقوع بود. زمانی که ژوسرانِ شوالیه و کشیش مزخرف که اسمش ویلهم بود مهمان پدر خوتلون میشن تا اونها رو از بام دنیا و مناطق کویری به نزد خانِ خانان ببره، این مأموریت رو خوتلون برعهده میگیره با اینکه دو برادر از خودش بزرگتر داشت ولی این دو برادر به زیرکی و زرنگی خواهرشون نبودن
ژوسران در همون نگاه اول عاشق خوتلون میشه و تا طول راه به طور غیرمستقیم عشقش رو به خوتلون ابراز میکنه و زمانی ازش میپرسه که آیا تو هنوز باکره هستی یا نه؟ خوتلون میپرسه که آیا این موضوع نزد شما وحشیها مهم؟
ژوسران هم میگه بله و خوتلون در پاسخ میگه من باکرگیام رو به اسبم دادم! (زود قضاوت نکنید) ژوسران متعجب از این واقعه روزی این موضوع رو با برادر خوتلون در میون میذاره و اون هم با خنده میگه که دختران ما بخاطر سوارکاری زیاد باکرگیشون رو از دست میدن
ماجرا رو خیلی خلاصه میکنم تا جایی که ژوسران و ویلهم به نزد یکی دیگه از خانهای مغول که قصد جانشینی خان متوفی رو داشت میبرن و این خان چون در چین حکومت میکرد آداب و سنون چینیها رو فرا گرفته بود و به همین خاطر تنها دخترش رو به اسم مئویون رو وادار میکنه تا از زمان کودکی انگشتان پاش رو بشکنن و به سمت داخل بکشونن تا پای دخترش مثل دختران شاهزاده و اشراف چینی کوچیک به نظر برسه و این یکی از ملاکهای زیبایی نزد اونها بود
و این کوچیک شدن پا طوری عذاب دهنده بود که تا آخر عمر باعث آزار و درد میشد و هر بار که پای و انگشتان شکسته شده رو تمیز میکردن بوی عفونت ازش میاومد( در اسلایدها عکسش رو میذارم)
همونطور که گفتم نویسنده کتاب ویلیام فالکنر به حدی اطلاعات وسیعی داشت که اطلاعات کافی از شمنها هم داشت
شمنها زنان جادوگر مغولی بودن و که با ارواح ارتباط برقرار میکردن به این طریق که با خوردن قیز که نوعی مشروب مغولی بود و استعمال حشیش و زدن طبل به خلسه میرفتن و با ارواح ارتباط برقرار میکردن و در مورد موضوعات مختلف رأی اون ها رو میپرسیدن!
من بخاطر نوشتنِ رمانم به اسم زیبا و ملکه هرا مجبور شدم یک کتاب تخصصی درباره شمنهای تبتی و مغولی مطالعه کنم و اطلاعات نویسنده هم به حد لازم و کافی بود و خوتلون هم این استعداد شمنی رو داشت
تا اینکه در اواخر رمان زمانی که ژوسران، خوتلون رو از پدرش خواستگاری میکنه ، پدر خوتلون بهش بر میخوره و دستور میده تا ژوسران رو به یوغ بیندن
خوتلون نزد ژوسران میاد و در اُبه یا همون چادر زخمهایی ژوسران رو تیمار میکنه و ژوسران بهش میگه که عشق من از روی هوس نیست و تو رو بخاطر خودت میخوام و در دل میگه ای کاش میتونستم بفهمم که آیا اندام خوتلون به زیر این لباسهای گشاد زیبایی زنانه و موزون بودنش رو داره یا نه؟ خوتلون با توجه به حسِ برترش متوجه این میشه به همین خاطر در چادر رو میبنده و چکمههاش رو از پا در میاره و ... تیغ سانسور وزارت ارشاد اینجا وارد عمل میشه.
و با اینکه دست و پاهای ژوسران بسته بود از خوتلون خواهش میکنه تا کمی خودش رو به اون نزدیک کنه ولی خوتلون اعتنایی نمیکنه و خارج میشه و این رو هم بگم که این کشیش مزخرف که دم از خدا و مسیح میزد و همه رو جزو کفار میدونست روزی ازش میخوان تا برای اون شاهزاده چینی که دچار مریضی شده بود، دعا کنه و زمانی که با این شاهزاده چینی که مئویون نام داشت و بر اثر بیماری بیهوش بود تو اتاق تنها میشه، بهش تجاوز میکنه و باعث بارداری این دختر بینوا میشه و عجبا اینکه حال دختر با اینکه هیچ شمنی نتوانسته بود حالش رو خوب کنه رو به بهبودی میره و بعدها که متوجه میشن این دختر باردار شده مافوق محافظین این دختر رو زنده در آب جوش میندازن به این تهمت که اون باعث این کار شده و چون مئویون از نسل چنگیز بوده نمیتونستن خونش رو بریزن به همین خاطر اون رو به بیابون میبرن و دور کمر و باسنش رو محکم میبندن به طوریکه این دختر بیچاره نتونه وضع حمل کنه و جنین بجای خارج شدن از بطن مادرش به سمت قلب و ریهها کشیده بشه و باعث مرگ خودش و مادرش بشه!
دیگه من نمیگم سرنوشت عشق شوالیه و خوتلون و ماجراهای بعدی به کجا کشیده میشه تا اینکه اسپویل نشه
از ده ستاره به این رمان ده ستاره میدم و به ترجمه عالی آقای سید جواد سید اشرف هم همین تعداد ستاره رو میدم.
هر کتابی که از کالین فالکنر دیدید بخونید و هر ترجمهای از آقای سید اشرف دیدید، حتما مطالعه کنید.
عشق ممنوعه یک شوالیه صلیبی به یک دختر خان زاده مغول
داستان از جایی شروع میشه که بدستور پاپ یک کشیش مزخرفِ بوگندو که بخاطر مریض نشدن حمام نمیرفت مامور شده بود تا به دیدار خانِ خانان مغولها در مغولستان بره اون هم زمانی که هلاکوخان اروپا رو درنوردیده بود اون هم به این منظور که با مغولها بر علیه مسلمانان متعهد بشن تا اورشلیم شهر مقدس رو از مسلمانان پس بگیرن و در این راه یک شوالیه به نام ژوسران مامور حفاظت از جان این کشیش مزخرف میشه.
اسم دختر زیبای یکی از خانهای مغول، خوتل��ن بود که در سوارکاری و تیراندازی رقیبی نداشت و شرطش برای ازدواج این بود که شاهزادگان مغولی در سوارکاری و تیراندازی شکستش بدن که هیچکس تا اون زمان موفق نشده بود.
اطلاعات نویسنده کتاب از مغولستان و مغولها و مناطق جغرافیاییشون به حدی بالا بود که من به عنوان یک نویسنده واقعا این نویسنده چیرهدست و توانا رو در دل بارها تحسین کردم
واقعه این رمان به زمان ۱۲۶۴ پس از میلاد در حال وقوع بود. زمانی که ژوسرانِ شوالیه و کشیش مزخرف که اسمش ویلهم بود مهمان پدر خوتلون میشن تا اونها رو از بام دنیا و مناطق کویری به نزد خانِ خانان ببره، این مأموریت رو خوتلون برعهده میگیره با اینکه دو برادر از خودش بزرگتر داشت ولی این دو برادر به زیرکی و زرنگی خواهرشون نبودن
ژوسران در همون نگاه اول عاشق خوتلون میشه و تا طول راه به طور غیرمستقیم عشقش رو به خوتلون ابراز میکنه و زمانی ازش میپرسه که آیا تو هنوز باکره هستی یا نه؟ خوتلون میپرسه که آیا این موضوع نزد شما وحشیها مهم؟
ژوسران هم میگه بله و خوتلون در پاسخ میگه من باکرگیام رو به اسبم دادم! (زود قضاوت نکنید) ژوسران متعجب از این واقعه روزی این موضوع رو با برادر خوتلون در میون میذاره و اون هم با خنده میگه که دختران ما بخاطر سوارکاری زیاد باکرگیشون رو از دست میدن
ماجرا رو خیلی خلاصه میکنم تا جایی که ژوسران و ویلهم به نزد یکی دیگه از خانهای مغول که قصد جانشینی خان متوفی رو داشت میبرن و این خان چون در چین حکومت میکرد آداب و سنون چینیها رو فرا گرفته بود و به همین خاطر تنها دخترش رو به اسم مئویون رو وادار میکنه تا از زمان کودکی انگشتان پاش رو بشکنن و به سمت داخل بکشونن تا پای دخترش مثل دختران شاهزاده و اشراف چینی کوچیک به نظر برسه و این یکی از ملاکهای زیبایی نزد اونها بود
و این کوچیک شدن پا طوری عذاب دهنده بود که تا آخر عمر باعث آزار و درد میشد و هر بار که پای و انگشتان شکسته شده رو تمیز میکردن بوی عفونت ازش میاومد( در اسلایدها عکسش رو میذارم)
همونطور که گفتم نویسنده کتاب ویلیام فالکنر به حدی اطلاعات وسیعی داشت که اطلاعات کافی از شمنها هم داشت
شمنها زنان جادوگر مغولی بودن و که با ارواح ارتباط برقرار میکردن به این طریق که با خوردن قیز که نوعی مشروب مغولی بود و استعمال حشیش و زدن طبل به خلسه میرفتن و با ارواح ارتباط برقرار میکردن و در مورد موضوعات مختلف رأی اون ها رو میپرسیدن!
من بخاطر نوشتنِ رمانم به اسم زیبا و ملکه هرا مجبور شدم یک کتاب تخصصی درباره شمنهای تبتی و مغولی مطالعه کنم و اطلاعات نویسنده هم به حد لازم و کافی بود و خوتلون هم این استعداد شمنی رو داشت
تا اینکه در اواخر رمان زمانی که ژوسران، خوتلون رو از پدرش خواستگاری میکنه ، پدر خوتلون بهش بر میخوره و دستور میده تا ژوسران رو به یوغ بیندن
خوتلون نزد ژوسران میاد و در اُبه یا همون چادر زخمهایی ژوسران رو تیمار میکنه و ژوسران بهش میگه که عشق من از روی هوس نیست و تو رو بخاطر خودت میخوام و در دل میگه ای کاش میتونستم بفهمم که آیا اندام خوتلون به زیر این لباسهای گشاد زیبایی زنانه و موزون بودنش رو داره یا نه؟ خوتلون با توجه به حسِ برترش متوجه این میشه به همین خاطر در چادر رو میبنده و چکمههاش رو از پا در میاره و ... تیغ سانسور وزارت ارشاد اینجا وارد عمل میشه.
و با اینکه دست و پاهای ژوسران بسته بود از خوتلون خواهش میکنه تا کمی خودش رو به اون نزدیک کنه ولی خوتلون اعتنایی نمیکنه و خارج میشه و این رو هم بگم که این کشیش مزخرف که دم از خدا و مسیح میزد و همه رو جزو کفار میدونست روزی ازش میخوان تا برای اون شاهزاده چینی که دچار مریضی شده بود، دعا کنه و زمانی که با این شاهزاده چینی که مئویون نام داشت و بر اثر بیماری بیهوش بود تو اتاق تنها میشه، بهش تجاوز میکنه و باعث بارداری این دختر بینوا میشه و عجبا اینکه حال دختر با اینکه هیچ شمنی نتوانسته بود حالش رو خوب کنه رو به بهبودی میره و بعدها که متوجه میشن این دختر باردار شده مافوق محافظین این دختر رو زنده در آب جوش میندازن به این تهمت که اون باعث این کار شده و چون مئویون از نسل چنگیز بوده نمیتونستن خونش رو بریزن به همین خاطر اون رو به بیابون میبرن و دور کمر و باسنش رو محکم میبندن به طوریکه این دختر بیچاره نتونه وضع حمل کنه و جنین بجای خارج شدن از بطن مادرش به سمت قلب و ریهها کشیده بشه و باعث مرگ خودش و مادرش بشه!
دیگه من نمیگم سرنوشت عشق شوالیه و خوتلون و ماجراهای بعدی به کجا کشیده میشه تا اینکه اسپویل نشه
از ده ستاره به این رمان ده ستاره میدم و به ترجمه عالی آقای سید جواد سید اشرف هم همین تعداد ستاره رو میدم.
هر کتابی که از کالین فالکنر دیدید بخونید و هر ترجمهای از آقای سید اشرف دیدید، حتما مطالعه کنید.
November 3, 2013
Colin Falconer has written a fabulous book. Not only is it exciting and very readable it is also hard to put down. I have wanted to read it for quite a while but unable financially until the price was lowered to 99 cents which enabled me to buy it. From the start, I was mesmerized by Josseran's travels and felt I was truly with him and could actually smell the things he smelled, feel the hardness of a camel saddle(ouch), enjoy the fascinating people he met during the excruciatingly long trek along the Silk Road. Those of us who can hop a plane or drive a car cannot begin to imagine travelling for months and years to reach a place. Josseran needed relief from his Templar duties, so he agreed to accompany a monk, William, a fanatical Dominican monk whose faith was more of a burden than a joy and drove Josseran to the brink of wishing him to disappear.
He also meets the engaging Kuhtelun, a Tatar warrior maiden who both excites and scares him. The unusual lifestyle of these desert nomads is told to perfection by Mr. Falconer and you actually feel like you are living among them with Josseran. Each character in the story is brought to life with exacting reality by the author and you can picture them as if they were standing in front of you. I was very pleased by the author's way with words, this book read like a wonderful tale of excitement, bravery, and yes spellbinding story of this period in time. Highly recommended.
He also meets the engaging Kuhtelun, a Tatar warrior maiden who both excites and scares him. The unusual lifestyle of these desert nomads is told to perfection by Mr. Falconer and you actually feel like you are living among them with Josseran. Each character in the story is brought to life with exacting reality by the author and you can picture them as if they were standing in front of you. I was very pleased by the author's way with words, this book read like a wonderful tale of excitement, bravery, and yes spellbinding story of this period in time. Highly recommended.
November 18, 2015
I really like reading historical novels; and nonfiction. I'm in the midst of a book I'll review shortly when I'm done, about the frontier, when it was here, just on the other side of the Appalachians.
But this book is about a time much earlier. And set in another part of the world. So in a way, it was interesting on both levels. I did have my google earth app open for a lot of this. Basically, it's set in 1361. The Mongol hordes are swarming from the East. The Pope sends a priest as his emissary to speak to Khan's general in Damascus hoping to fend them off - and perhaps even persuade them to help the Crusaders in their fight against the Saracens in the Middle East. Which makes on think of all the weird alliances going on in the Middle East right now! It's always been the sa,e
The general sends the emissary - and his Templar bodyguard, Sarazzini - all the way to China, an epic, impossible journey, to speak to Khan.
Callous executions, one-eyed camel drivers, corruption, sin, a heart-wrenching love story, dark secrets, and life and death circumstances are revealed at a fast pace in each brief chapter-- the author doesn't spend too much time weaving in scenery and history as some do, to the detriment of plot which keeps the reader focused on turning the page to learn what happens next – and always to some shocking circumstance or pleasant surprise.
I recommend this book to those who like historical fiction.
That’s what I loved most about this book – plenty of the odd and unusual to keep me fascinated throughout.It is the richness of the prose itself that truly made this historical era come alive.
But this book is about a time much earlier. And set in another part of the world. So in a way, it was interesting on both levels. I did have my google earth app open for a lot of this. Basically, it's set in 1361. The Mongol hordes are swarming from the East. The Pope sends a priest as his emissary to speak to Khan's general in Damascus hoping to fend them off - and perhaps even persuade them to help the Crusaders in their fight against the Saracens in the Middle East. Which makes on think of all the weird alliances going on in the Middle East right now! It's always been the sa,e
The general sends the emissary - and his Templar bodyguard, Sarazzini - all the way to China, an epic, impossible journey, to speak to Khan.
Callous executions, one-eyed camel drivers, corruption, sin, a heart-wrenching love story, dark secrets, and life and death circumstances are revealed at a fast pace in each brief chapter-- the author doesn't spend too much time weaving in scenery and history as some do, to the detriment of plot which keeps the reader focused on turning the page to learn what happens next – and always to some shocking circumstance or pleasant surprise.
I recommend this book to those who like historical fiction.
That’s what I loved most about this book – plenty of the odd and unusual to keep me fascinated throughout.It is the richness of the prose itself that truly made this historical era come alive.
August 25, 2022
Исторически роман от най-добрите такива: с интересно, зарибяващо действие, персонажи, за които да ти пука, с изобилни и базирани на реалността исторически детайли.
Заглавието не е много добре избрано, защото всъщност действието се развива главно в империята на монголите (или, както ги наричат - татари) по времето на Кублай хан и няма нищо общо с Пътя на коприната, освен че главния герой се движи известно време по него.
Действието се развива от Сирия и битките на кръстоносците със сарацините, до Китай, където е установена империята на наследниците на Чингис хан.
Единственото, което ме подразни в непрестанното и неблагоприятно сравняване на европейската култура и религия (от 13-ти век) с еквивалентите им на Изток. Да, наистина тогава християнският свят е бил доста фанатичен и се е къпел рядко, а културата на Китай, науката на мюсюлманския свят и военните тактики на монголите са били ненадминати за тогава. Едва ли е нужно на всеки десет страници да се самобичуваме за това.
Заглавието не е много добре избрано, защото всъщност действието се развива главно в империята на монголите (или, както ги наричат - татари) по времето на Кублай хан и няма нищо общо с Пътя на коприната, освен че главния герой се движи известно време по него.
Действието се развива от Сирия и битките на кръстоносците със сарацините, до Китай, където е установена империята на наследниците на Чингис хан.
Единственото, което ме подразни в непрестанното и неблагоприятно сравняване на европейската култура и религия (от 13-ти век) с еквивалентите им на Изток. Да, наистина тогава християнският свят е бил доста фанатичен и се е къпел рядко, а културата на Китай, науката на мюсюлманския свят и военните тактики на монголите са били ненадминати за тогава. Едва ли е нужно на всеки десет страници да се самобичуваме за това.
December 16, 2014
I am always surprised when an adventure story that travels so far can gain my attention. These are not often books I enjoy enough to give more than 2 stars though the chance of finding one such as this keeps me reading.
It was fast, evocative and informative without being boring and I actually liked the crazy evil priest, he was a great character even though I hated him!
I didn't think the last 50-100 pages were as good as the rest, it got a little over dramatic.
I did like the very end though. Where the priest finishes the story. I thought that was a good conclusion.
It was fast, evocative and informative without being boring and I actually liked the crazy evil priest, he was a great character even though I hated him!
I didn't think the last 50-100 pages were as good as the rest, it got a little over dramatic.
I did like the very end though. Where the priest finishes the story. I thought that was a good conclusion.
October 24, 2020
What an amazing writing. Exotic culture and customs. History. Love. Adventure. Religion. War. Everything one's needs for a great experience. The melting of its ingredients is made with an easy storyteller style.
The book keeps you inside, a prisoner of its action. One feels the story as a real part of them.
I really recommend it!
The book keeps you inside, a prisoner of its action. One feels the story as a real part of them.
I really recommend it!
March 6, 2024
Fina mi je bila, jedino su mi dijalozi nekad bili pretenciozni pa zato ocena manje. Falkoner nikad ne razočara!
May 5, 2021
Чудесно приключение, отвъд края на света и вярата !!!
July 31, 2024
The Book initially felt very flat and sequential without any interesting, thought out and creative escapades. Though the details seemed well researched and laid out, the story still was dragging. But towards the middle it slowly picked up went well. After half way through the story really picked up and was moving fast. The rush of sequence towards the end the Grand conclusion still tempts be to move it to 4 starts. But then I decided to stay wit 3 star due to the wasted opportunity for story telling in the First half.
July 11, 2023
This was a fantastic read.
Any book set around the Mongol Empire always grabs my attention.
The moment I happened to note this book, I had to read it
Firstly, I really appreciated the author clearly took considerable time learning about the period and to my own knowledge, was very accurate with his historical details.
Alongside the historical detail was a really great story. There were some moments of brilliance and some moments which did drag a bit. But overall it was certainly 5 stars for me.
The ending was perfectly sewed together and I was totally compelled by the characters.
Would recommend
Any book set around the Mongol Empire always grabs my attention.
The moment I happened to note this book, I had to read it
Firstly, I really appreciated the author clearly took considerable time learning about the period and to my own knowledge, was very accurate with his historical details.
Alongside the historical detail was a really great story. There were some moments of brilliance and some moments which did drag a bit. But overall it was certainly 5 stars for me.
The ending was perfectly sewed together and I was totally compelled by the characters.
Would recommend
November 3, 2022
wonderful!
A great knowledge of history by the author. His writing paints a picture of events enabling the reader to place themself into the story line,
A great knowledge of history by the author. His writing paints a picture of events enabling the reader to place themself into the story line,
April 11, 2017
alternates between some truly awful prose and banal stereotype B-level action and some real exciting action (the Mongol/Crusade setting is a prop for a fairly modern action adventure story as the characters act like the caricature of the noble but flawed crusader, evil inquisitor etc etc); still greatly enjoyed in parts so better class of pulp reading; comparable with the standard genre sff action adventure except that it's swords and horses rather than spaceships and laser guns
February 3, 2015
I just wrote a whole review on this and when I got...at last..to the last line..my laptop highlighted the whole thing and I hit a button and was left with a lonely letter a in the whole box. I'm too mad at myself to rewrite it right now. Dang..it had some good thoughts too. Something about Falconer being Chex Mix....I dunno. *sigh*
September 24, 2016
Colin Falconer'ın okuduğum ikinci kitabı ....iyi bir tarihi roman yazarı Falconer...
November 26, 2018
حدود ۱۵-۱۶ سال پیش خوندم، کتاب جالبی بود.
February 12, 2023
A brilliant work of historical fiction, parts of the story were a tiny bit unbelievable at times considering the period, religion of the time and the mongols themselves, but may be it has to be to make the fiction work in itself. All in all, a very enjoyable read and I will be going on to read more in the series
May 5, 2013
Ancient & Medieval group read.
The descriptions were tremendous and I felt much of the time I was in a finely-written travel book. I don’t mean that negatively. It’s what I enjoyed most, the travel along the Silk Road. I saw in this much of Marco Polo’s travels and the journeys of friars to the Mongol court in the 13th century – Friar William in the novel is just such a monk on embassy as his namesake, Friar William of Rubruck, who left an account and understood the cultures he blundered through no more than our William. Incidents in the novel are owed to these old travels, so there’s an authenticity.
By contrast with the friar, the Templar knight Josseran has an open mind to the peoples and societies he meets in the east. And I say so does the novel, which does a lot of juxtaposition of cultures – Josseran and the Tatar woman Khutelun have cultural arguments or collisions, and she ensures her side of things gets heard. The portrait of Khutelun is grounded on a real woman and nothing she does in the novel – fighter, troop leader, and so on – is other than historical. Set against her, we have a daughter of Khubilai Khan who, to her father’s agenda, has had to leave Mongol ways and become a Chinese princess with crippled lotus feet and what she feels is a crippled life. The political scene set has traditional Mongols at odds with Khubilai, as he goes Chinese, for his own ends and interests. To talk history for a moment: Khubilai seems to have been the only khan after Genghis with a smidgen of his brains or abilities, and yet, he can be seen to have betrayed the Mongol cause. That’s more or less the situation in the book.
I went up and down between three and four stars while I read this. I truly enjoyed it, though more as a travelogue than a story – for my needs the characters were sketchily written. A thing happened at the end that made up my mind to three stars. And that’s only because I’m a Mongol nerd and questioned what was said, there and once else that sticks in my mind. I missed an author’s note, on sources used and what’s historical.
Under the spoiler is a note on the punishment at the end, which bothered me. .
The descriptions were tremendous and I felt much of the time I was in a finely-written travel book. I don’t mean that negatively. It’s what I enjoyed most, the travel along the Silk Road. I saw in this much of Marco Polo’s travels and the journeys of friars to the Mongol court in the 13th century – Friar William in the novel is just such a monk on embassy as his namesake, Friar William of Rubruck, who left an account and understood the cultures he blundered through no more than our William. Incidents in the novel are owed to these old travels, so there’s an authenticity.
By contrast with the friar, the Templar knight Josseran has an open mind to the peoples and societies he meets in the east. And I say so does the novel, which does a lot of juxtaposition of cultures – Josseran and the Tatar woman Khutelun have cultural arguments or collisions, and she ensures her side of things gets heard. The portrait of Khutelun is grounded on a real woman and nothing she does in the novel – fighter, troop leader, and so on – is other than historical. Set against her, we have a daughter of Khubilai Khan who, to her father’s agenda, has had to leave Mongol ways and become a Chinese princess with crippled lotus feet and what she feels is a crippled life. The political scene set has traditional Mongols at odds with Khubilai, as he goes Chinese, for his own ends and interests. To talk history for a moment: Khubilai seems to have been the only khan after Genghis with a smidgen of his brains or abilities, and yet, he can be seen to have betrayed the Mongol cause. That’s more or less the situation in the book.
I went up and down between three and four stars while I read this. I truly enjoyed it, though more as a travelogue than a story – for my needs the characters were sketchily written. A thing happened at the end that made up my mind to three stars. And that’s only because I’m a Mongol nerd and questioned what was said, there and once else that sticks in my mind. I missed an author’s note, on sources used and what’s historical.
Under the spoiler is a note on the punishment at the end, which bothered me. .
December 26, 2018
DNF. Gonna call it on this one.
It's well written and the fast pacing is impressive considering it's about a long quest.
But I couldn't find a single part of me to like or care about the Templar knight, the Dominican priest, or even the Tatar warrior princess. Not who they were or what they were doing.
I tried.
It's well written and the fast pacing is impressive considering it's about a long quest.
But I couldn't find a single part of me to like or care about the Templar knight, the Dominican priest, or even the Tatar warrior princess. Not who they were or what they were doing.
I tried.
September 24, 2015
Silk
Read this while travelling the Silk Road,so the towns were alive for me more than appeared in the book.
But the story was intriguing as I am sure many people's faiths were tested in those days.
Read this while travelling the Silk Road,so the towns were alive for me more than appeared in the book.
But the story was intriguing as I am sure many people's faiths were tested in those days.
December 28, 2023
Wow. This one blew me away. I had found myself browsing my "want to read" on Goodreads, trying to find a book to close out the year with. I don't remember adding this to my 'want to read', I don't remember where I even stumbled upon this book. Thanks, Past Joebot, you beautiful bastard.
This book had so many things that I like: Crusaders, strangers in a strange land, Mongolian hordes, arguments about religion. This book hooked me hard and never let go. I devoured it, which brings me to another point on this. This book was sub 500pgs, with a pace that never let up. Other authors would have added another 300pgs, and fleshed this out more. Don't get me wrong, the book wouldn't have suffered for it. While I did want to spend more time in this setting, with these characters, with this brilliant story - the pacing and length the author used ended up being exactly what I wanted.
I love the mashing of cultures. Those open to new beliefs and customs and those closed off, narrow-minded. The way these two groups play off each other and argue is always something I enjoy in media. Josseran, long in the tooth with his time in the Holy Land and seeing these "infidels" as actual people, made for an enthralling main protagonist. William, a devout priest freshly arrived in an unknown world, made for a good foil to Josseran.
This is one book in a series of historical fiction adventures that the author, Colin Falconer, has written; and it will not be the only one I read. Brilliant novel, this.
This book had so many things that I like: Crusaders, strangers in a strange land, Mongolian hordes, arguments about religion. This book hooked me hard and never let go. I devoured it, which brings me to another point on this. This book was sub 500pgs, with a pace that never let up. Other authors would have added another 300pgs, and fleshed this out more. Don't get me wrong, the book wouldn't have suffered for it. While I did want to spend more time in this setting, with these characters, with this brilliant story - the pacing and length the author used ended up being exactly what I wanted.
I love the mashing of cultures. Those open to new beliefs and customs and those closed off, narrow-minded. The way these two groups play off each other and argue is always something I enjoy in media. Josseran, long in the tooth with his time in the Holy Land and seeing these "infidels" as actual people, made for an enthralling main protagonist. William, a devout priest freshly arrived in an unknown world, made for a good foil to Josseran.
This is one book in a series of historical fiction adventures that the author, Colin Falconer, has written; and it will not be the only one I read. Brilliant novel, this.
January 29, 2023
This is an amazing well written adventure story. Hard to put down. First time I've read Colin Falconor but definitely not the last.
This is one of those books you're sorry came to an end.....you just want the adventure to continue.
This is one of those books you're sorry came to an end.....you just want the adventure to continue.
March 18, 2023
Wow.....
It took a little patience as the story, and the characters got going. But it was worth the wait. Only bummer: it ended too soon.
It took a little patience as the story, and the characters got going. But it was worth the wait. Only bummer: it ended too soon.
March 15, 2023
Silk Road
Quite excellent. Just a wonderful read and the descriptions of those times made a beautiful story. The author has left the reader with a story that will not go away for some time.
Quite excellent. Just a wonderful read and the descriptions of those times made a beautiful story. The author has left the reader with a story that will not go away for some time.
December 13, 2022
Thoughtful, Awe inspiring, Provocative.
Incredible, world building, soaring, lush landscapes vivid and come alive with this author. A mindful, challenging, inspirational epic tale of the human condition along with all of its challenges…well written, timely and well paced. I look forward to reading more from this promising author, well done. Thank you Colin Falconer, thank you.
Incredible, world building, soaring, lush landscapes vivid and come alive with this author. A mindful, challenging, inspirational epic tale of the human condition along with all of its challenges…well written, timely and well paced. I look forward to reading more from this promising author, well done. Thank you Colin Falconer, thank you.
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