Rating: 
Summary: Great story - Plot and characters are well developed
Review: James Patterson made a great transition to the Middle Ages. His plot and character development were well thought out and very interesting.This book is 180 degrees from Patterson's detective novels. However, he is a master at weaving a story that keeps the reader interested. The one enjoyable trait that Patterson has is to provide insight both from both sides. I felt like I was inside the head of both the villians and the Jester. I purchased the audio unabridged version of this book. It was very well done.
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Summary: The Jester is a story about the Crusades (basically).
Review: This is the first book I've read by Patterson, and it's unlike the others he's written, I'm told. If you like historical fiction, you'll love this book. It's also a page turner! The only thing I didn't like about it was the very graphic descriptions of fighting, killing, murdering, etc. The characters are very memorable and it gives a good insight into what it might have been like to live in the year 1096!
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Summary: What a change...and welcome too!
Review: Wow! After reading many of the reviews of this book, it is apparent that many Patterson fans want him to stay in the crime/suspense/mystery genre. It is also apparent that many have no desire for 'history-based' fiction. Consequently, I fear my review will be quite unpopular as I thought THE JESTER was an outstanding effort by Patterson. However, I must admit that I'm something of a Crusade/Arthurian junkie. Present Day... Dr. Alberto Mazzini, Director of the Vatican Museum is urgently called to the Musee d'Histoire in Boree', France. Renee Lacaze, Director of the Boree' Museum, has summoned Dr. Mazzini to analyze a relic, ostensibly a holy relic from the time of Christ. Ms. Lacaze informs Mazzini that the artifact was unearthed during the excavation for a shopping center when the excavation machinery opened a sarcophagus. Lacaze goes on to say that the grave belonged to a long-forgotten duke who died in 1098. This duke fought in the Crusades and was known to seek out relics from the time of Christ. Lacaze said, "The local lore, it always said a precious relic was here. Just never that it belonged to a duke. But to a man of far more humble origins." "What sort of lowborn man would come into such a prize? A priest? Perhaps a thief?" "No." Renee Lacaze's brown eyes widened. "Actually, a jester." Southern France, 1096... The authors introduce you to their hero, innkeeper Hugh de Luc. He and his wife Sophie own and operate the inn in Veille du Pere, a small French village. This, during a time when land is only owned by nobles and the "lowborns" work the land and pay their masters the assessed taxes. Veille du Pere is under the power of a ruthless and cowardly noble, Baldwin, the Duke of Treille. Fervently desiring to be free, Hugh joins a thrown-together army to fight in the Crusades. Almost two years later, Hugh returns to his village to find that all the homes have burned and the village plundered by Baldwin's knights. It was said they were in search of a precious relic dating back to the Crucifixion and was in the possession of Hugh de Luc. Hugh also learns the knights kidnapped Sophie and murdered their one-year old son, a son he didn't even know he had. Disillusioned and fierily resolute, Hugh sets out to find Sophie and exact revenge on those responsible, an undertaking making him appear quite mad. During his search, Hugh takes on the "pretext" of a jester in an effort to infiltrate Baldwin's castle, where he is certain Sophie is held captive. During the ensuing weeks, Hugh becomes known throughout France, and NOT as a Jester. As I mentioned, this is an era I thoroughly enjoy and find fascinating. There are so many magical moments, characters and events. It is also one of the most Barbaric times in our world's history (in the same fashion as Braveheart). Patterson, and co-author Gross, manage to make this story magical. While most of the events and characters are based in fiction, the storyline manages to engross the history buff in me albeit one taking each sentence with a grain of salt. However, the research performed by Patterson/Gross was fairly prodigious as evidenced by the historical references provided. Bottom line, this is an enjoyable, well-written book. Sure, it is not historically accurate but then again, it is a work of fiction. I applaud Mr. Patterson for taking the risk of moving into unfamiliar territory and challenging himself and his readership. It is my hope we will see more of this type of work although I have no interest in losing the "Cross" novels for historical fiction. A great read. Open your mind and you'll enjoy this offering.
Rating: 
Summary: Different, but still good
Review: I was skeptical of the Jester as I started reading it, but I did enjoy the story and it left me wanting more at the end just as his other books have. As others, I was somewhat disappointed that they never went back to "today" at the end. One thing I do need to point out is that they never said they found the lance in the jester's grave - it was because of the stories that it was mentioned that it belonged to a jester (it was found in the duke's grave). Also, if you are complaining about 2-3 page chapters, then you are not familiar with James Patterson's books - most of his books are written that way and for me, it keeps me turning pages - you keep saying, "oh, just one more chapter", but then you end up reading more.
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Summary: It is what it is, OUTSTANDING!
Review: James Patterson and Andrew Gross really did a good job on this rousing adventure story. It is set in the 11th Century France. A low born man named Hugh volenteers for the Crusades. After two years he returns home and finds his wife and son murdered. He then disguises himself as a jester at the nobleman's court who he believes is responsable for the crime. Of course there is a lot more to it than that, and not everything is what it seems. Now, the charactor of Hugh is your typical Dark Ages everyman; but that's good. He's a working class hero who has been abused by the system, and takes justice into his own hands by leading a rebellion (shades of Robin Hood and William Wallace). His demand for fairness and justice are things we can all identify with. And the bad guys are really horrible men. Lord's who abuse their authority and their captain of the guards who act as enforcers and enjoy torture. The story is an adventure in the style of "Rob Roy", "La Morte De Aurthor" and "Count of Monte Cristo". Maybe it's likeness to those novels is why it dosn't get a perfect rating. But it moves at a rocket pace, there are brutal and graphic sword fights and other violence all through out the novel. This is one of the best adventures to come out in a while. If your a history buff, this is definitly up your ally.
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Summary: Not up to the hype or down to the pans
Review: This book is a big departure for Patterson. Stanch fans of Alex Cross will not care for this book. However, it is far from being a masterpiece. The characters are not well developed and the situations are unreal and contrived. Still it is a very good "beach book". Fast paced, entertaining, and not too taxing. If you like this book, you should read the Brother Cadfael series by Ellis Peters. They have a great feel for the period and are, frankly, much better stories. Start with "A Morbid Taste For Bones" and follow the series for an absolutely wonderful series of books.
Rating:
Summary: Not the norm
Review: I love James Patterson and all of his books. This one was quite different from anything else hes written. It does hold the interest, but it just wasnt something I personally enjoyed.
Rating:
Summary: Different, but Good Read
Review: This was different than other books I've read by Patterson, but I thought it was a very interesting, entertaining read. I read the book in just a couple of days, so it held my attention well.
Rating: 
Summary: Save your money II!
Review: In the beginning of the book, a religious artifact is found in the grave of a jester. At the end of the book, it is buried with a cruel lord. The daughter of the King of France is allowed to run around the country pretty much by herself. The jester successfully overthroughs a fiefdom and the King of France and other nobles are not one bit threated. Give us a break. I've read better high school themes that this book.
Rating:
Summary: Save Your Time and Money
Review: Unbelievably BAD. Not worth the paper it is written on. The characters were flat and uninteresting. The plot was unbelievable and undeveloped. And 2-3 page chapters! 2nd grade chapter books are better reads. I share my books, but not this one. I am embarrassed to admit I spent [my money] and that \I wasted my time reading it. Hold onto your money and run.
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