Books matching: medieval times
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- #1
Save:An addictive, high-stakes historical epic packed with memorable characters and relentless drama - if you like big, bold stories and don’t mind some darkness, you’ll be hooked.
'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett is a historical novel set in medieval England, following the lives of various characters intertwined through the construction of a cathedral in the town of Kingsbridge. The narrative spans over decades, exploring themes of ambition, power, politics, love, and betrayal during the 12th century. The book delves into the challenges faced by individuals from different social backgrounds, including monks, nobles, and peasants, as they navigate through the turbulent times of the Middle Ages.
The storytelling in 'The Pillars of the Earth' is characterized by its epic scope, rich historical detail, and intricate character development. Readers are drawn into a world filled with vivid descriptions of life in medieval England, emphasizing the struggles and triumphs of the central characters involved in the monumental task of building a cathedral. The novel weaves together elements of suspense, drama, romance, and political intrigue, offering a captivating portrayal of a bygone era and the enduring human spirit that drives individuals to overcome obstacles in pursuit of their dreams.
The walls were already three feet high and rising fast. The two masons Tom had engaged were working steadily in the sunshine, their trowels going scrape, slap and then tap, tap while their laborer swe... - #2
Save:A brilliant, cerebral, and multi-layered medieval mystery - challenging but hugely rewarding. Pick it up if you want to get deliciously lost in a labyrinth of ideas, history, and suspense. Not for the faint of heart or the impatient reader!
'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is a medieval murder mystery set in a 14th-century Italian monastery where Brother William of Baskerville investigates charges of heresy as monks begin to die one by one. The book delves into the complexities of religious factions, beliefs, and conflicts during a time of political and religious unrest, with a central mystery surrounding rare parchments in the library. Eco's writing style combines elements of historical fiction, mystery, and intellectual discourse, exploring themes of doubt, belief, signs, meaning, and ambiguity.
ON AUGUST 16, 1968, I WAS HANDED A BOOK WRITTEN BY A CERTAIN Abbé Vallet, Le Manuscrit de Dom Adson de Melk, traduit en français d’après l’édition de Dom J. Mabillon (Aux Presses de l’Abbaye de la Sou...1980•559 pages - #3
Save:A moving, richly detailed time-travel novel that’s equal parts historical drama and philosophical meditation - absolutely gripping for fans of immersive stories, but a bit slow for those who crave breakneck pacing or hard sci-fi. Worth reading for the emotional punch and historical ambiance.
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis is a time-travel science fiction novel that intertwines two timelines - one in the near future at Oxford University, where a historian named Kivrin is sent back to the Middle Ages, specifically to the year 1348 during the Black Death. Meanwhile, a contemporary viral outbreak adds a layer of complexity to the story, creating a sense of urgency and suspense. The book delves into themes of human resilience, historical accuracy, and the impact of catastrophic events on individuals across different time periods.
Mary shook her head. “All you’ve missed is Gilchrist’s speech.” She leaned back in her chair to let Dunworthy squeeze past her into the narrow observation area. She had taken off her coat and wool hat...1992•592 pages - #4
Save:A popcorn time-travel adventure filled with action, medieval flair, and Crichton’s trademark techno-thrills - fun if you’re here for the ride, but not his deepest or most polished work.
'Timeline' by Michael Crichton is a science fiction novel that combines time travel with a thrilling adventure set in medieval times. The plot follows a group of archeologists who use modern technology and quantum mechanics to travel to the past, specifically the late Middle Ages in France. As they try to reconstruct an archeological site from that period, things go awry, leading to a dangerous and suspenseful journey where survival becomes uncertain. Crichton's writing style is described as engaging, with a good balance between education and entertainment, blending elements of science fiction, historical fiction, and suspense seamlessly throughout the narrative.
Dan Baker winced as his new Mercedes S500 sedan bounced down the dirt road, heading deeper into the Navajo reservation in northern Arizona. Around them, the landscape was increasingly desolate: distan...1999•560 pages - #5
Save:A harrowing, beautifully written blend of horror, fantasy, and history - gruesome, poetic, and unforgettable for the right reader. Not for the faint of heart!
"Between Two Fires" by Christopher Buehlman is a dark fantasy set in 14th century France during the devastating Black Death. The story follows an orphaned young girl, a fallen knight, and an alcoholic priest as they navigate a world filled with pestilence, monsters, and supernatural forces. The plot weaves together elements of horror, historical fiction, and religious themes, creating a tale of redemption, hope, and the battle between good and evil.
The book is praised for its vivid and atmospheric storytelling, blending gritty realism with high fantasy elements. Readers commend Buehlman's ability to create engaging characters, compelling relationships, and haunting scenes that delve deep into the darkness of the human heart and the horrors of the plague-ridden landscape.
It looked at them hopefully from beneath a willow tree, swishing its tail against the flies. The fat one, and nobody knew how he stayed fat, took his war hammer up, meaning to brain it, but Thomas sto...October 2012•449 pages - #6
Save:A charming, cozy historical mystery with a delightful monk-sleuth - perfect for lovers of gentle puzzles and medieval vibes, but may be slow for those craving action-packed suspense.
'A Morbid Taste for Bones' in the series 'Chronicles of Brother Cadfael' follows the protagonist Brother Cadfael, a medieval monk and amateur sleuth, as he accompanies a group of monks on a journey to a Welsh village to retrieve the relics of a saint. The local community opposes the relocation of the saint's bones, and when a murder occurs, suspicion falls on the monks. Brother Cadfael takes it upon himself to investigate the murder and unravel the deception surrounding the crime, all while bringing justice to the Welsh village they have invaded.
The plot of the book combines historical fiction with mystery, featuring well-developed characters and intricate descriptions of the medieval setting. The narrative follows Brother Cadfael's intelligent and deft hand in solving the murder mystery, incorporating themes of justice, deception, and the clash between different cultures and beliefs.
ON THE FINE, BRIGHT MORNING IN EARLY MAY when the whole sensational affair of the Gwytherin relics may properly be considered to have begun, Brother Cadfael had been up long before Prime, pricking out...1977•274 pages A clever, genre-blending classic that starts as a hilarious romp but dives deep into social critique - brilliant at its best, but occasionally uneven and a bit heavy-handed. Worth a read for its humor and insight, but it may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' by Mark Twain is a humorous tale about Hank Morgan, a man from Connecticut in the 1800s who finds himself transported back in time to King Arthur's Court. Through the collision of past and present, Twain uses Morgan to expose the flaws in both eras, critiquing systems such as slavery, feudal class structures, and the power dynamics of the Church. The novel combines elements of time travel, social commentary, and satire, showcasing Morgan's attempts to revolutionize Arthurian England with his modern knowledge and inventions.
Twain's writing style in 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' is characterized by wit, humor, and sharp social observations. The book humorously explores the clash between 6th-century Britain and 19th-century America, as Morgan navigates the challenges of implementing his progressive ideas in a medieval setting. Twain's satirical approach sheds light on various political, social, and religious issues, making the reader reflect on the parallels between the past and the author's contemporary society.
It was a soft, reposeful summer landscape, as lovely as a dream, and as lonesome as Sunday. The air was full of the smell of flowers, and the buzzing of insects, and the twittering of birds, and there...1889•467 pages- #8
Save:A must-read for lovers of historical epics and action, though its blood-soaked realism and gritty detail mean it's not for the faint of heart. If you want a front-row seat to Viking-era England with a complex, memorable hero, jump in!
The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell is a historical fiction novel set in ninth-century Britain during the Danish invasion. The story follows Uhtred, a young Saxon boy who is captured and raised by Danes, navigating the complexities of loyalty and identity. Through vivid battle scenes and detailed historical context, the book paints a picture of a tumultuous time in English history, focusing on the clash between Saxons and Danes. The narrative is driven by Uhtred's transformation from a boy to a warrior, exploring themes of destiny, loyalty, and the struggle between paganism and Christianity.
The Danes were clever that day. They had made new walls inside the city, invited our men into the streets, trapped them between the new walls, surrounded them, and killed them. They did not kill all t...2004•372 pages - #9
Save:Disturbing, original, and sometimes absurd, "Lapvona" is a medieval fever dream best enjoyed by those with a strong stomach and a taste for the grotesque. It's one-of-a-kind, but decidedly polarizing - read at your own risk!
Little Marek, the abused and delusional son of the village shepherd, never knew his mother his father told him she died in childbirth. One of life's few consolations for Marek is his enduring bond with the blind village midwife, Ina, who suckled him as a baby, as she did so many of the village's children. Ina's gifts extend beyond childcare she possesses a unique ability to communicate with the natural world. Her gift often brings her the transmission of sacred knowledge on levels far beyond those available to other villagers, however religious they might be. For some people, Ina's home in the woods outside of the village is a place to fear and to avoid, a godless place. Among their number is Father Barnabas, the town priest and lackey for the depraved lord and governor, Villiam, whose hilltop manor contains a secret embarrassment of riches. The people's desperate need to believe that there are powers that be who have their best interests at heart is put to a cruel test by Villiam and the priest, especially in this year of record drought and famine. But when fate brings Marek into violent proximity to the lord's family, new and occult forces upset the old order. By year's end, the veil between blindness and sight, life and death, the natural world and the spirit world, civility and savagery, will prove to be very thin indeed.
The bandits came again on Easter. This time they slaughtered two men, three women, and two small children. Some smelting tools were stolen from the blacksmith, but no gold or silver, as there was none...June 2022•325 pages - #10
Save:Creative premise, but marred by troubling attitudes and outdated handling of sex and relationships. Consider this a cult classic for alt-history buffs with a caveat: proceed with caution.
'The Cross-Time Engineer' by Leo Frankowski follows the story of Conrad Schwartz, a Polish computer engineer who, after a night of drinking, finds himself transported back to the year 1231 in medieval Poland. Armed with his knowledge of history and modern technology, Conrad sets out to alter the course of history by using his engineering skills to upgrade the medieval society he finds himself in. The writing style of the book is described as detailed and structured like a puzzle, with seemingly minor topics mentioned early on becoming significant later in the series.
The weather had been perfect, the color change was at its peak, and since it was just past the usual tourist season-I had whole mountains to myself. The farmers were getting in the harvest, and all th...1986•259 pages
