Canterbury Papers

Dullsville

I never got beyond a few chapters of this; this is a surprise since I'm a big fan of historical novels, especially those set in medieval Europe. The problem is that Alais, who is narrating, is a bit of a cipher. Unless I missed something, even her age is uncertain. We are given little sense of her personality or background, beyond the basics, so it is hard to connect with her. The narrative is linear, which is fine if there were a more evocative sense of the time and place. It's more like first we did this, then we went to another place, then we saw and talked to these people, and then....no sense of excitement. For a richer sense of the Plantagenet years, read the authors below, or find an old copy of The Lute Player, by Norah Lofts.

Not sorry I read it......

The time period of the storyline kept me interested enough to finish it. I didn't think the plot was engaging at all - a little more intrigue could have made it more engaging, but the book was well written. I did like the characters.

An enjoyable read!

As a lover of historical novels, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It captured my attention and held it, something that does not always happen.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pretty boring

This book was not as good as I had hoped. I didn't feel connected to Alais. I kept waiting for more background about her and King Henry - maybe a flashback or two earlier in the story would have helped. As it was, I couldn't care less about her pendant, the letters, or her rendezvous with Eleanor by the end of the book.

M an avid reader

This was a great summer read. From the momment I started this enchanting story I was drawn in to each page as if I was Princess Alais.

Wonderful

This book although, centered around Alis, helps you understand the plots surronding king john and the complex thinkin system of his mother Eleanor, i highly recommend this book to any one even if they dont like these kinds of storys

Couldn't put it down

I normally don't read this type of book; however, I wasn't able to put it down from the time I started reading it. The author takes you on a maze of events, some quite startling. This is definitely worth reading.

Medieval Adventure

Princess Alaïs is bored and disillusioned with life in the court of her brother the King of France. When Eleanor of Aquitaine dangles the promise of information that Alaïs desperately wants, Alaïs agrees to travel to Canterbury to retrieve a packet of Eleanor¿s potentially embarrassing letters. Her simple quest turns into something more dangerous as her rooms are ransacked and she is snatched away from the protection of her attendant knights. How can she gain possession of the elusive letters and why are so many people suddenly interested in her jeweled pendant? Alaïs has to figure out whom she can trust as her path collides with King John, mysterious monks, and the Knights of Templar. Dangerous secrets about her stormy past with the royal family of England just might hold the key. You don¿t have to be an expert on medieval times to appreciate The Canterbury Papers, but Healey thoughtfully includes a brief overview of royal politics of the time and a summary at the end separating the fiction from the facts. The book has a historically accurate feel, and it is obvious that Healey put a lot of time into her settings and characterizations. This charming mystery surprised me ¿ I didn¿t expect to be as captivated as I was. Alaïs is a strong character with wit and passion. Healey throws in a charming romance, which does a great job of lightening the tone set by endless court intrigue and family betrayals.

Intrigue & Excitement

You'll fall in love with Alias. The book is full of intrigue & you won't want to put it down. One of the most loveable books I have read in a long time.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.