Rating: 
Summary: Infanticide
Review: I never thought of myself as squeemish, but after only 100 or so pages I had to put the book down in disgust. How many more babies will be killed in this tale? It's not only the death of infants and young children, but the gruesome, heartwrenching detail in which they are described! Enough!! I definately would not recommend this book for other mothers.
Rating: 
Summary: A Very Different Subject Matter For James Patterson
Review: This book is a strange blend of the quintessial James Patterson in format and pace with an entirely new type of story for him (as was the moving and enjoyable SUZANNE'S DIARY FOR NICHOLAS). This is an historical novel based in medieval times, with the Crusades and French serfdom as the backdrop. It appears to accurately capture the nature of the times, with townspeople barely scratching out an existence while dependent for protection on the whims of the local nobles and their knights.The central character is Hugh De Luc, an innkeeper in a small French village who leaves his wife Sophie to join the First Crusade to fight the infidels and free Jerusalem. The first section of the book graphically describes the hardships which he and his companions endured during their journey, and his lifechanging experience in Antioch which convinced him to end his journey and return home. Upon his eventual return he finds his village plundered and destroyed, the infant son previously unknown to him murdered and his wife kidnapped and believed dead. The remainder of the book involves Hugh's attempts to locate his wife (he believes that she is still alive) and mete out vengenance on those who are responsible for his son's death. While near death after an encounter with a wild boar, Hugh is befriended by Emilie and her mistress Anne from neighboring Boree, which Anne rules while her husband Stephen is away fighting in the Crusade. Hugh attempts to develop a strategy for infiltrating neighboring Treille, a walled city ruled by the evil Baldwin, who is apparently responsible for Sophie's kidnapping. Emilie has the idea that Hugh can use his intelligence and natural talent for comedy to pose as a JESTER, and thus disguised Hugh resumes his search for Sophie. As you might assume since this is a James Patterson book, at this point the plot complications and misdirection begin. Hugh soon discovers that in fact one of the souvenirs that he brought home to France is perceived to be of great historical value and the prize sought by the Black Knights still wrecking havoc on the countryside and its inhabitants in their search for it. The latter parts of the book turn out to be not only an historical action/adventure but a philosophical examination of the role of individual freedom and private property that eventually transformed the nature of arrangements between nobles and the monarchy and their subjects and led to the adoption of the rule of law versus the rule of force. Hugh assembles an army of his friends and neighbors to first confront Baldwin of Treille and later Stephen of Boree (upon his return from the Crusade), and combines his insights with the knowledge and skills that he learned during the battles in which he participated to overcome superior odds and eventually prevail. Yet the style of Patterson and his co-author Andrew Gross keep the pace very rapid and the story interesting and fast moving. There is an incredible amount of bloodshed, violence, vulgarity, and gore. These are obviously typical of the period and true to the experience of the Crusades, although much of the dialog seems much more attuned to our current patterns of speech than to the Middle Ages. The difference between the violence in this and some of Patterson's especially gory books is that it seemed essential to the plot and not carried to mindnumbing and gratuitous extremes. There is also the usual misdirection, although more obvious clues in some cases (such as Emilie's identity) than is usual for a Patterson story. In summary, Patterson's style and the short chapters and rapid pace of action actually hide the much more ambitious effort that this book represents. As an affirmation of the power of love and laughter, its overriding tone despite the violence is quite different from many of his other stories. And the fairy tale ending is very different from his usual conclusion, perhaps to offset this essentially accurate portrayal of the depressing nature of the history of the that time. So, if you are a James Patterson fan, be prepared for something very different but just as engaging as his best work. And I certainly agree with the comments of other reviewers that this appears to be a prime candidate for an epic movie, I just hope that they manage to make it more that an historical adventure, as the authors have done. It is a fast paced easy read, but somewhat longer and with a lot more to think about and enjoy than most of his books. So, if you want a detective story, look elsewhere; and if you want a serious historical novel with carefully drawn characters and slow paced action examining the time in great detail, you will also certainly be disappointed. But if you want a story to read on the train or plane, during a vacation, or while relaxing before bed, this is well worth your time.
Rating:
Summary: "The Jokes on you! "or "Buy this book?You must be Jesting"
Review: Did too many authors spoil the book? There is excitment and the telling of jokes(poorly).He includes two of the best jokes ever, and he ruins the punch line. This is not a historical novel even though it should be. It does take place during the Crusades , but it easily could be any place, anytime. This is not to say it is timeless , but a waste of time.If you want historical fiction then read Turtledove or Connie Willis. If you want excitement read Cussler. I will say that there are two surprises in the plot that are excellent( one is very obvious, the other is not).
Do you think I liked this book? Patterson fans will probably buy this book anyway. If you are new to him, this will be the last you read.
I don't believe in telling you the plot, in case you are foolish enough to buy this book. It is easy to read and read it in one sitting on a plane, If I had a parachute, I would have stopped reading and jumped. I never throw away books, I save them forever or give them to someone. I made an exception in this case , since I do not know anyone that I dislike enough to give the book.
Rating: 
Summary: cheer for the hero
Review: I thought it was a well written story that generally has you rooting for the good guys. I found myself reading larger chunks at a time the further I got into this book, which is always a good sign. Gets two bookmarks up on my rating system!
Rating:
Summary: Back to the past
Review: As is James Patterson's style, THE JESTER's chapters are brief, the language unadorned & the story packed with action, intrigue & dastardly deeds! For a modern day mystery/thriller writer, James Patterson's take on the Crusades & life in serfdom France while oddly modern, is a rousing yarn that crackles with humor & pathos, philosophy & passion, foul deeds & good.
Rating:
Summary: great read!
Review: I really loved this book. I was hesitant in buying it because I was so used to his other books which aren't historical but this book really grabbed me. Even my husband read it and loved it! I hope these two authors collaborate on more novels in the future!
Rating:
Summary: Forget Lindsay Boxer, et al
Review: I didn't think Patterson could surpass his Alex Cross novels, and after reading the exploits of his new heroines - The Women's Murder Club - in "First to Die" and "Second Chance" I felt justified in my thinking. But "The Jester" is a whole new genre and as exciting as any of his murder mysteries. I love his medieval theme and gallant hero, who is almost as indestructible as Det. Cross. And as always, his chapters are SHORT and the whole book is an incredibly easy and fast read. I don't know what his co-author contributed, but I hope they collaborate again, and soon.
Rating:
Summary: An incredible journey...
Review: Simply put, couldn't put it down. Full of pace, appealing and appaling characters, an irresistable story that never quits, (did i mention, pace???) and above all, laughter and warmth. You will root for Hugh de Luc in his sweeping tale until the last page. Patterson transfers pitch perfect to the Middle Ages, and with the deft hand of his co-author Gross, give you something special you will want to read again. Patterson fans wilkl not be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: A man's allowed to dream every once in a while
Review: This is a great story. Patterson doesn't sugar coat the Dark Ages, which is the setting for this entrancing story which sounds as though it could have been lifted from the newspapers of the era -- had newspapers existed then. It's not a book for the squeamish. He writes of the rapacious terror the Crusaders brought to the Holy Land in their attacks on the Islamic world; if anyone wonders "Why don't they like us?" -- this book offers a compelling answer. Some of his characters may seem unreal, but from what I've read of the Dark Ages the general setting Patterson uses is totally authentic. It was an era when wild animals roamed at will, when during the winter wolves preyed on people even in cities such as Paris; and when such animals offered kind mercy compared to the cruelty of people to each other. Patterson makes life sound brutal, grim and often capricious. He paints a chilling picture of the total madness of Christian fanaticism inspired by fictional artifacts such as "relics" said to have an association with Christ. If you've ever wondered about the madness that religion can inspire, this book is a gripping insight into the reality of our past. Okay, that's the dark, authentic, frightening side of Jester. But the book is much more, it is also an account of the nascent demands for personal freedom, dignity, and the rule of law that applies to everyone --- not merely to the nobility and clergy. Peasant uprisings were a fact of the era, and Patterson masterfully explains the motivations that led people in their search for freedom to challenge everything they had been told by the church and the nobility. "A man's allowed to dream every once in a while," an older and wiser jester tells Hugh De Luc, the main character who also becomes a jester. Patterson is masterful in using a jester as his central character; in an era of rigid social structures, this (and the mistresses of a King) were about the only people with fluid social mobility. It's a masterful story of men, and equally courageous women, plus the people they inspire, making dreams of freedom come true. I wouldn't be surprised if Patterson or his researchers used an actual incident, then wove his story around historic fact. If it sounds like the same spirit that inspired the American Revolution in 1775, it's because Patterson taps into feelings that are very basic and real in all Americans. Maybe, some day, he'll do an equally inspired book about the motives that made American farmers challenge the world's mightiest empire in a bold assertion of their own freedom. It's a basic conflict involving, in Patterson's own words, "what we know as the law" and "the courage to stand up ..." Or, to quote Augustine who said, "Remove justice, and what are kingdoms but gangs of criminals on a large scale." If this book sounds authentically medieval, and realistically modern, it's because Patterson skillfully explores basic issues that apply today as they did a thousand years ago. My only quibble is his ending. Although Patterson tells a superb story, he doesn't seem to know how to create a reasonable ending. It's always some "deus ex machina," which in this case is totally unnecessary. In this case, it doesn't really spoil the book -- it's like meeting a sand flea on an otherwise perfect day on the beach. But, it's not a book for the squeamish. He doesn't overdo the blood and gore, or the brutal cruelty that was so often commonplace and routine at the time of the Crusadses; but, it will upset the tender feelings of sensitive souls. He is brutal, honest, frank and realistic -- without any of the familiar movie-screen excess. So much the better. It's a slice of authentic Dark Ages life. As an added bonus, he adds a list of 15 historical books for anyone interested in further doses of reality. Like Louis L'Amour in The Walking Drum, Patterson has written a first-rate introduction to our past.
Rating: 
Summary: Sounds Familar?
Review: Didn't The Danny Kaye Movie " The Court Jester"
have a similar story line.
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