The Jester

Rating:
Summary: Stick to Alex Cross
Review: It is hard to fathom that this book was written by the same James Patterson of Alex Cross fame.
This book is a contrived tale about a man who becomes a Jester to find his wife (other reviews will tell you more). Don't bother. It is as exciting as a comic book.

Rating:
Summary: Jest not good enough
Review: I love James Patterson and have read just about all of his books, but this book is by far a huge disappointment! I labored through the book, skimmed most of it, found it predictable as well as horribly written. I am not a huge fan of historic fiction and decided to read it through the end anyway, to see where it would do. Unfortunately, it went nowhere. The descriptive violence was gross, the story lacked continuity and cohesiveness, and other parts of the story seemed to have been pulled from somewhere else.

This book is just not worth reading - read Patterson's other books instead!

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST OF PATTERSON........!
Review: I believe that the mark of a truly great storyteller is one who can captivate and enthrall outside of his "genre;" and James Patterson has done that and more in The Jester.

Set in medieval times during the Crusades, this is the story of a poor innkeeper named Hugh De Luc--whose life consists of simple pleasures...his village, his friends, his inn, and the great love that he has for his wife Sophie. All is well until Hugh decides to join the fight for Christianity and freedom--and finds only death, carnage and evil. He returns to his village several years later to discover that everything that he held dear had been stripped away from him; his inn burned to the ground, and his beloved Sophie abducted by the evil knights of his liege.

This is truly an epic love story--of love lost, found, and lost again; only to be rediscovered in another. All I could think of while reading this story was what a wonderful movie it could make if done right!

I've yet to read a book by this author that I did not enjoy. True Patterson fans will not be disappointed!!

Rating:
Summary: History completely muddled
Review: Avoid this like the plague unless you have a VERY high tolerance for anachronisms. They fill this novel to such a point that I wanted to throw it across the room. I like playfulness and satire, but I wouldn't characterize this as either. A waste of money and time.

Rating:
Summary: A very fun read that won't dissapoint.
Review: How some of the other reviewers say they could abandon the book midway through is beyond me. Sure some of the jokes in the book are old, but hey they were new back then so what would you expect?
If you like reading of Mid-evil times or just want a fun read pick up this book and enjoy it for what it is.
The only thing I didn't like about the book was the prize drawing insert with the grand prize being a trip to France. Ummm sorry but I think a trip to Iraq sounds better.

Rating:
Summary: Beach reading when the waves are flat.....
Review: Noting this book on the NY Times bestseller list, the setting captured my imagination. I sent for a copy and was surprised and disconcerted by the number of modern slang phrases liberally used throughout. The first person pov was well suited to the mood of the story, but he sounded more like a petulant adolescent than a full grown man. The obvious author switch was also jolting, as their styles jog from chapter to chapter scarcely allowing the reader to catch up. I read "Just Ella" by Margaret Peterson Haddix right after finishing Jester. I was struck by how much better this juvenile fiction piece was written. It is about what happens to Cinderella after the ball. My advice is to save your money and buy the Haddix book.

Rating:
Summary: A Terrific book
Review: I absolutely loved this book. It was a treat for me to open this book and read it every day. I felt like it was a gift and a surprise every day. I loved the story, the characters, the whole mideval thing. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A departure, a surprise, and a good read
Review: This book is NOT what James Patterson is known for in terms of the setting, but at the same time has the suspense he is known for. Like other readers I had trouble getting into the first part of the story, where Hugh is going on the Crusades, but once I got through that it was great. The Crusades were a necessary setup I think and having read other historically based fiction, it could have drug on much longer, but thankfully did not. I did not find the ending expected, though I started to guess at some of the "secrets", but I couldn't guess all of them. I loved that Emilie was NOT a helpless damsel in distress. It's about time! But then again I think Patterson is known for his strong female characters (Lindsay Boxer, Kate in Kiss the Girls). I think this book is well worth wading through the beginning history and getting to the meat of the story: Hugh's time as the Jester.

Rating:
Summary: A definite page-turner!
Review: I normally don't write reviews for James Patterson's books since I think he's a poor writer. However, I do read his books because he sure knows how to tell a story. This time, The Jester, really beat my expectations ~~ it is a fun story and who cares if the story is not historically accurate? It's fun and keeps you guessing throughout the whole book. It is a page-turner and you find yourself rooting for Hugh and the other serfs in this book ~~ you'd find yourself guessing the answers before it comes about ~~ and sometimes you're right, and sometimes Patterson gives you a surprise.

If you are looking for a more accurate historical fiction book ~~ then don't get this one. If you are looking for a good read with a good plot and suspense ~~ get it. Patterson may not be the best writer ~~ but he sure can tell a good story. Also, you can tell that it's Gross that wrote the book with Patterson telling the story because it's written neater and crisper than other Patterson books. I am a snob when it comes to my reading tastes, but this book sure is fun!

4-14-03

Rating:
Summary: desperately seeking a new jester...
Review: so disappointing! Unlike the other readers, I actually finished the book because it was such a quick read. I was totally unimpressed with the attempt at an historical interpretation of these times. It had the potential to be a fascinating tale. A textbook would have kept me more interested.