Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Another Allen French
I am hooked on another of the Bethlehem Books/Ignatius Press reprints, this time The Lost Baron, also by Allen French. I am half way through, and told myself that if I go down and walk on the tread mill for half an hour, I can read as I walk. Keep it up for a week, and I should be done with the book and a pound or two lighter. Filled with more wholesome characters, Martin, Ben and Bess, and Lady Rosamund, One known rogue, Halbert. The other characters' virtues and vices are still being unveiled. It is quick-paced and intriguing and at the same time, light.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Snow Day
It has been a snow day, at least for me. I was supposed to go quilting this morning, but after seeing the ice on the back windows, decided that it would not be safe. The friend who was to join me for Valentine stamping this afternoon also canceled. Time then, to read! I have become too addicted to Spider Solitaire on the computer, and, needing emotional and mental refreshment, have taken up a trusted priest's advice of many moons ago and returned to books.
My two latest reads are from my home school collection. The first was Red Falcons of Tremoine (Hendry Peart, Bethlehem Books - Ignatius Press, Bathgate, ND, 2007). The second, which I have not quite finished, is The Red Keep (Allen French, Bethlehem Books - Ignatius Press, Minot, ND 1997). Both take place in the 12th century, the first in England, the second in Normandy, France. Both are listed as for readers ages 10 and up. The first is a part of Bethlehem Books' Living History Library. The second is in Bethlehem Books' Adventure Library. The first is 239 pages, the second 370. Both are probably more suited to boys, although they both contain beautiful, strong women! Red Falcons has a bibliography in the back making it useful for scholars, and perhaps history teachers. The Red Keep has a nifty glossary of medieval terms making it easier to understand the book during reading. Both books have characters named Fulk (Fulke). If you are a reader of Ellis Peters ;you will see two names similar to characters in her stories, Hugh and Berenger!
If you have to choose between the two, The Red Keep has been more adventurous and emotionally engaging. My own personal twist to the story has been to imagine the characters of the Red Keep and the town of Vezelay speaking in Norman French instead of English! I liked the inclusion of the town of Vezelay with its tale of St. Mary Magdalene and the masons' guild. The secret passage in the castle is an early peak into what will later become priest holes, servant's entrances, and secret stair cases in Nancy Drew. Lady Anne is a foreshadowing of Joan of Arc, complete with her own set of armor. I am looking forward to reading other books by Allen French.
My two latest reads are from my home school collection. The first was Red Falcons of Tremoine (Hendry Peart, Bethlehem Books - Ignatius Press, Bathgate, ND, 2007). The second, which I have not quite finished, is The Red Keep (Allen French, Bethlehem Books - Ignatius Press, Minot, ND 1997). Both take place in the 12th century, the first in England, the second in Normandy, France. Both are listed as for readers ages 10 and up. The first is a part of Bethlehem Books' Living History Library. The second is in Bethlehem Books' Adventure Library. The first is 239 pages, the second 370. Both are probably more suited to boys, although they both contain beautiful, strong women! Red Falcons has a bibliography in the back making it useful for scholars, and perhaps history teachers. The Red Keep has a nifty glossary of medieval terms making it easier to understand the book during reading. Both books have characters named Fulk (Fulke). If you are a reader of Ellis Peters ;you will see two names similar to characters in her stories, Hugh and Berenger!
If you have to choose between the two, The Red Keep has been more adventurous and emotionally engaging. My own personal twist to the story has been to imagine the characters of the Red Keep and the town of Vezelay speaking in Norman French instead of English! I liked the inclusion of the town of Vezelay with its tale of St. Mary Magdalene and the masons' guild. The secret passage in the castle is an early peak into what will later become priest holes, servant's entrances, and secret stair cases in Nancy Drew. Lady Anne is a foreshadowing of Joan of Arc, complete with her own set of armor. I am looking forward to reading other books by Allen French.
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