Heretic

Complex story that was well told and as I've often said of Cornwell, he gives nothing away for free to his characters. This story is packed with internal and external conflict, intense action and one disappointment after another for all of the main characters. Cornwell builds strong, complex, believable characters that are fraught with the human condition. His adversaries are worthy of each other and quite formidable. I like Cornwell's story telling and have been a fan since I read the Sharpe series. Cornwell does his homework and learns the historical context the story is written in and then provides that context as if it is scenery laced into the background of the actions the characters are living through. Heretic is well written and is a story just like any other great story I've read in that I love historical fiction but Heretic would fit in any context if done well enough and Cornwell has done so. I highly recommend the book and suggest you begin with The Archer's Tale (US Title) and read them all the way through. This is hours of entertainment for a paltry sum.

"Heretic" may not be the strongest installment of Bernard Cornwell's outstanding trilogy of Thomas of Hookton and his reluctant quest for the Holy Grail, but it is nonetheless a raucous, lively, and brutal portrayal of life in 14th century France. If there is a weakness in "Heretic", it is the absence of historical events to lend even more credibility to Cornwell's authoritative depiction of the culture, religion, politics and especially the warfare of the period. Where "The Archer's Tale" and "Vagabond" were based upon the famous battles the kicked off what was later known The Hundred Year's War, "Heretic" is mostly pure fiction, wrapping up Thomas' quests, both spiritual and personal. In this final episode, the title refers to Genevieve, an innocent and beautiful young girl sentenced to be burned at the stake for heresy. If there is a central theme in the series, it is the virtually absolute power of the Church, and the influence the Church wielded over the masses, from the most powerful kings and barons to the lowliest of peasants. If Cornwell's treatment of the religious hierarchy is a bit heavy-handed, it is difficult to argue the well-recorded abuses of an institution that twisted the word of God to attain rewards that were anything but spiritual. From the barbarous tortures of the Inquisition delivered by the hands of pious priests to fraudulent relics and "absolution for sale", Cornwell skewers the corruption heaped upon an uneducated and superstitious populace - practices which would lay the foundation for the Reformation in the centuries to follow. But setting religion aside, "Heretic" is at its core simply a terrific story of love, adventure, and war in a fascinating period of western civilization. As expected from Cornwell, battle scenes are as vivid and deep as the rivers of blood he cascades through battlefields of broken men and horses. Cornwell's primer on the impact and influence that the virtually impregnable English archer held in Medieval warfare was riveting - one wonders what course western history would have taken were it not for these humble bowmen who would strike terror in opponents far greater numbers, launching stream upon stream of goose-feathered ash missiles capable of penetrating the thickest shield and heaviest plate armor. In short, a gripping tale of love, betrayal, trusts forged and trusts broken, and ultimately redemption compensate for what "Heretic" may be lacking in historical underpinnings. This and the two titles that proceed it are simultaneously the most educational and entertaining works of historical fiction I've ever read - I couldn't give Cornwell and the Grail series a higher recommendation.

the third book in the Grail Quest series was just as good, if not better than the rest. In it, the hero,the Archer, found what he was looking for and the story ended perfectly. The historical lessons learned from this book are why I read such books. The English long bow is a weapon I have often heard of, but never knew they were as rare in those times as Conrnwell describes them to be. And as war is described in these books, war in those times, it makes war exactly what it really is, not to be undertaken lightly. More can be learned from reading these books of this subject than in any history class I ever attended. And far more interesting. Pity is, that history classes need to be just as involving to children as these books, so as not to forget our history, or that of others. "he who forgets his history is often doomed to repeat it". One may not forget history if war were described as it is in these books. A GREAT READ, A MUST ALMOST!

Cornwell's ability to blend historical fact with amazing detailed observations is unparalleled. If anyone possesses a time machine, it is Cornwell.

A Good Read !

Thomas of Hookton has more lives than any cat. The story of his journey, his battles, and his loves is a epic story! Interwoven with a fascinating and disturbing portrayal of the Church during that era. Excellent work!

Set in 14th century France, where the peasants trying to survive were beset by greedy barons exacting rent and taxes, invading armies that pillaged and burned villages, a corrupt church, bands of unemployed soldiers who occupied areas for their own profit, gangs of bandits who preyed on everyone else, and the plague which appeared and decimated entire towns. Thomas of Hookton returns to France during the last stages of the seige of Calais. He reports to the Earl of Northampton, and leaves on a search for the Holy Grail. It is an interesting tale, and does raise a question. How would you recognize the Grail if you happened to find it? It was a cup, but there were hundreds of thousands of cups lying about. The quest is joined by various people who have their own interests in finding the Grail, some for personal profit, and some for power. Friendships are uncertain, and people sometimes form unlikely alliances (an enemy of my enemy is my friend). The main criteria for being a hero seems to be the ability to survive, and Thomas survives unusual perils while people around him perish. The novel has an interesting epilogue about the Grail. Readers are referred to Mercedes Lackey's short story "Once and Future" about a man who wakes up one morning to find himself in possession of Excalibur (it is found in her collection, "Fiddler Fair"). Possibly of interest is the fact that Thomas finds a woman companion who also survives. The author has a habit of disposing of women in his novels, although Sharpe also eventually settled down with a woman who seems to survive. I originally became interested in the series because the Earl of Northampton was a distant ancestor. The author has done extensive research into the history of time period, and his novels seem a good depiction of conditions.

I've got some complaints about this one. First, where did the romantic interest from the first two books go? A couple of brief lines alluding to her is not a satisfying way to write off a character, especially when there's barely a moment given to the establishment of the next romance. It's hard to care about their relationship when Thomas of Hookton seems predestined to bed every beautiful woman the series can conjure. What's a romance without tension? Second, the contrivance of Rob and Thomas' falling out over this woman was aggravating. Their strong friendship established in the last book was far more powerful than the weak romance in this one. Third, the Middle Ages were not some perpetual holocaust. Yes, I know Cornwell did not want to over-romanticize the era like some cloud-minded Victorian, but the inverse to portray the era as ubiquitously inhumane is equally erroneous. This bleak setting he's made carries over to all of his characters too, as none of them seem capable of joy. Even in their love they are grim. There was still room for pageantry and bright colors in the Hundred Years War and people could still smile. But, for all my complaints, Cornwell remains uniquely adept at describing battles accurately and engagingly and that alone makes the story worth reading for those with a love of military history.

Another masterpiece by Bernard Cornwell- the quest is finally coming to the end-. I couldnt put it down and finished it too fast. I am glad that the story of Thomas of Hookton will be continued.

Absolutely brilliant as usual with Bernard Cornwell can wait to read yet another of his books One thing I wish I had done a few years ago was log all of the books of his that I have read

Bigeest problem I have with Cornwall is he does not write enough,i am out of all his books

Third book in the Grail series great read

This has been an incredible journey, flew trough the trilogy unaware of time or length. The grail quest which is the search of one man Thomas of Hookton or Thomas Vexille, for his history, love, family are all found along the way. A good man in a world of evil and bad things. This is a masterpiece in Cornwell's writing just as the Saxon Tales are.