Rating: 
Summary: Marvelous! ... but what's Fabio doing on the cover??
Review: As a long-time follower of Melvyn Bragg's literary works (as well as an admirer of his illuminating yet refreshingly non-combative interview style on the South Bank Show), I first read "The Sword and the Miracle" a year ago under its British title, "Credo". It captivated me -- not only because of the author's exquisite use of the English language, as always, but because he achieves the near-impossible: He pulls characters from an ancient, largely undocumented age and imbues them with contemporary human qualities. In fact, I sometimes had to chide myself, sitting smugly on the cusp of the 21st century, for presuming to feel angry at Bega in her ferocious struggles against the sin of desire. I kept feeling tempted to use words like 'denial' and 'self-fulfillment' ... modern-day arguments that would easily have convinced this girl, naturally, to ride off with her prince, turn her back on the sometimes fanatical and cruel Christianity of her time and place! But, of course, the princess Bega lived and died in those times, not these. And Melvyn Bragg does not write feel-good stories for the genre market. Hence, I believe the editors and marketers at Random House did this novel a great disservice by re-titling it to sound like an Errol Flynn swashbuckler, and by encasing it (the version I received, anyway) in a slick dust jacket with a Fabio look-alike on the cover! I have to wonder how many readers of serious historical fiction were driven away, and how many attracted who simply needed bed-table escapism after a tough day of board meetings; the latter were consigned to disappointment and the book to a lukewarm reception. I admit I'm baffled by a marketing plan designed to repel those most likely to appreciate the product being marketed. This novel is not one long history lesson, however. There are great battles depicted in furious detail, and barbaric characters of epic proportion, and a horrific rape described in such clinical slow motion that it could be a scene out of de Sade's own chambers. Although what lies between is not always easy reading, in the end we walk away having been not just observers but enlightened travelers through a dark time in history. Title notwithstanding, I found "Credo" / "The Sword and the Miracle" to be a powerful portrayal of life and people in an era when Celtic mysticism was engaged in a losing war with Christian martyrdom, and Bragg does a masterful job, particularly in the prickly encounters between Bega and the pagan priestess Reggiani, of leaving us with the question: Did we take the right turn 1,200 years ago? "The Sword and the Miracle" -- or whatever name it bears -- is one of Melvyn Bragg's most imposing achievements, both intellectually and creatively. Regarding his other works, for historical romance on a more traditional scale, read "The Maid of Buttermere", based on a true-life scandalous affair in early 19th century England. Or for more contemporary settings: "A Time To Dance", about a convention-shattering love between a staid, aging banker and a young working-class girl; and "Crystal Rooms", with plotlines that course through modern-day London, from political heights to a Fagin-like character and his boy-slaves. And you wouldn't want to miss the author's special facility with erotic passages. Although his myriad pursuits could probably qualify Melvyn Bragg as a Renaissance man, I continue to be drawn mostly to his fiction -- as the purest manifestation of the mind and spirit behind the whole body of work.
Rating:
Summary: Marvelous! ... but what's Fabio doing on the cover??
Review: As a long-time follower of Melvyn Bragg's literary works (as well as an admirer of his illuminating yet refreshingly non-combative interview style on the South Bank Show), I first read "The Sword and the Miracle" a year ago under its British title, "Credo". It captivated me -- not only because of the author's exquisite use of the English language, as always, but because he achieves the near-impossible: He pulls characters from an ancient, largely undocumented age and imbues them with contemporary human qualities. In fact, I sometimes had to chide myself, sitting smugly on the cusp of the 21st century, for presuming to feel angry at Bega in her ferocious struggles against the sin of desire. I kept feeling tempted to use words like 'denial' and 'self-fulfillment' ... modern-day arguments that would easily have convinced this girl, naturally, to ride off with her prince, turn her back on the sometimes fanatical and cruel Christianity of her time and place! But, of course, the princess Bega lived and died in those times, not these. And Melvyn Bragg does not write feel-good stories for the genre market. Hence, I believe the editors and marketers at Random House did this novel a great disservice by re-titling it to sound like an Errol Flynn swashbuckler, and by encasing it (the version I received, anyway) in a slick dust jacket with a Fabio look-alike on the cover! I have to wonder how many readers of serious historical fiction were driven away, and how many attracted who simply needed bed-table escapism after a tough day of board meetings; the latter were consigned to disappointment and the book to a lukewarm reception. I admit I'm baffled by a marketing plan designed to repel those most likely to appreciate the product being marketed. This novel is not one long history lesson, however. There are great battles depicted in furious detail, and barbaric characters of epic proportion, and a horrific rape described in such clinical slow motion that it could be a scene out of de Sade's own chambers. Although what lies between is not always easy reading, in the end we walk away having been not just observers but enlightened travelers through a dark time in history. Title notwithstanding, I found "Credo" / "The Sword and the Miracle" to be a powerful portrayal of life and people in an era when Celtic mysticism was engaged in a losing war with Christian martyrdom, and Bragg does a masterful job, particularly in the prickly encounters between Bega and the pagan priestess Reggiani, of leaving us with the question: Did we take the right turn 1,200 years ago? "The Sword and the Miracle" -- or whatever name it bears -- is one of Melvyn Bragg's most imposing achievements, both intellectually and creatively. Regarding his other works, for historical romance on a more traditional scale, read "The Maid of Buttermere", based on a true-life scandalous affair in early 19th century England. Or for more contemporary settings: "A Time To Dance", about a convention-shattering love between a staid, aging banker and a young working-class girl; and "Crystal Rooms", with plotlines that course through modern-day London, from political heights to a Fagin-like character and his boy-slaves. And you wouldn't want to miss the author's special facility with erotic passages. Although his myriad pursuits could probably qualify Melvyn Bragg as a Renaissance man, I continue to be drawn mostly to his fiction -- as the purest manifestation of the mind and spirit behind the whole body of work.
Rating: 
Summary: So far, incredible good.
Review: I'm halfway through the book and I can't put it down. Historical fiction at it's best. If you like this one read Byzantium by Stephen R. Lawhead. I'll give a final review when I finish this book.
Rating:
Summary: So far, incredible good.
Review: I'm halfway through the book and I can't put it down. Historical fiction at it's best. If you like this one read Byzantium by Stephen R. Lawhead. I'll give a final review when I finish this book.
Rating:
Summary: A Pagan 7th century Britain under attack from Mad Christians
Review: Melvyn Bragg's "The Sword and the Miracle" (or "Credo" as it is known in Britain) is astonishing. It is so well researched and so well written that the characters live in your head long after you have closed the pages for the last time. It's a classical battle; between the Pagans and the Christians, and between the Christian Celts and the Christian Catholics, set in a violent and turbulent period of history. What makes this book is such memorable characters: Bega, the devout christian, destined to become a saint; the pagan woman whom Bega so despises, yet who is so human, Bega's "man", who's love she is prepared to forgo to persue her love affair with God. The strength of this book is that the characters react, not with 20th century eyes, but as you'd imagine them to in the 7th century. This is not a historical novel. It is, at least to me, a biography! I cannot recommend it highly enough Read this book. It will change your outlook on life, love and religion. It is wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: A Pagan 7th century Britain under attack from Mad Christians
Review: Melvyn Bragg's "The Sword and the Miracle" (or "Credo" as it is known in Britain) is astonishing. It is so well researched and so well written that the characters live in your head long after you have closed the pages for the last time. It's a classical battle; between the Pagans and the Christians, and between the Christian Celts and the Christian Catholics, set in a violent and turbulent period of history. What makes this book is such memorable characters: Bega, the devout christian, destined to become a saint; the pagan woman whom Bega so despises, yet who is so human, Bega's "man", who's love she is prepared to forgo to persue her love affair with God. The strength of this book is that the characters react, not with 20th century eyes, but as you'd imagine them to in the 7th century. This is not a historical novel. It is, at least to me, a biography! I cannot recommend it highly enough Read this book. It will change your outlook on life, love and religion. It is wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: A Pagan 7th century Britain under attack from Mad Christians
Review: Melvyn Bragg's "The Sword and the Miracle" (or "Credo" as it is known in Britain) is astonishing. It is so well researched and so well written that the characters live in your head long after you have closed the pages for the last time. It's a classical battle; between the Pagans and the Christians, and between the Christian Celts and the Christian Catholics, set in a violent and turbulent period of history. What makes this book is such memorable characters: Bega, the devout christian, destined to become a saint; the pagan woman whom Bega so despises, yet who is so human, Bega's "man", who's love she is prepared to forgo to persue her love affair with God. The strength of this book is that the characters react, not with 20th century eyes, but as you'd imagine them to in the 7th century. This is not a historical novel. It is, at least to me, a biography! I cannot recommend it highly enough Read this book. It will change your outlook on life, love and religion. It is wonderful.
Rating: 
Summary: Well written, but more than once it put me to sleep
Review: The title of the book was catchy, I am a lover of Arthurian legend and historical fiction, mainly having to do with the British Isles. In this occasion and realizing Mr. Braggs is a good writer, the characters of the book were, in my opinion, most of them despicable. Zealous religious, though not totally convinced of their own believes. The best character in the book is Reggiani, the pagan, who was the only one to make sense. As she asked Bega, "Why do you have to pray so much? Is your God deaf?" I think this is the best line in the book. But to zealous Bega she was evil, and would not listen to her unless she embraced the True Faith. Luckily for me, Reggiani never did. These religious fanatics were so insecure, that they couldn't even discuss the matters, or at least try to convince. No, they only judge. Fanatism at its best. This is the book that I have taken the longer to read. Most of the time, I found it boring. The main character, Bega, couldn't even love the boy Bede. She was so arrogant as to make him a gift to her God. I need a good book to put this one behind me!
Rating:
Summary: Well written, but more than once it put me to sleep
Review: The title of the book was catchy, I am a lover of Arthurian legend and historical fiction, mainly having to do with the British Isles. In this occasion and realizing Mr. Braggs is a good writer, the characters of the book were, in my opinion, most of them despicable. Zealous religious, though not totally convinced of their own believes. The best character in the book is Reggiani, the pagan, who was the only one to make sense. As she asked Bega, "Why do you have to pray so much? Is your God deaf?" I think this is the best line in the book. But to zealous Bega she was evil, and would not listen to her unless she embraced the True Faith. Luckily for me, Reggiani never did. These religious fanatics were so insecure, that they couldn't even discuss the matters, or at least try to convince. No, they only judge. Fanatism at its best. This is the book that I have taken the longer to read. Most of the time, I found it boring. The main character, Bega, couldn't even love the boy Bede. She was so arrogant as to make him a gift to her God. I need a good book to put this one behind me!
Rating:
Summary: Good book, confusing title
Review: This fascinating book was originally published as "Credo" in the UK. The subject is Celtic Christianity and its unfortunate defeat by Romanism at the Synod of Whitby, essential reading for anyone interested in the evolution of the Church in the English-speaking world. Unfortunately the US title makes it sound like a sci-fi fantasy , which is both misleading and insulting. By the way, the book does work as a piece of romantic historical fiction too.
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