Rating: 
Summary: Interesting and exciting but not accurate in all regards
Review: A quick note to the reviewer before me: whether you spell Catherine with K or C has to do with the tradition you come from: C is the Latin spelling, which made its way into English and French; K comes from the Greek, which made its way into German (English is influenced by both of these traditions so we see both of these spellings in English). Felix Fabri is a German so it's not improbable that he would refer to Katherine with a K; "the Tongue," Arsinoe, is also (I believe) a Greek woman. In any case, I picked up this book because of professional and pedagogical interest in the topic, and by and large, I have to say that I enjoyed reading it. Some things about this book are really excellent: the description of the material conditions of the middle ages, the pilgrimage descriptions themselves (some of which, esp. the complaints about the immorality of fellow travelers, are taken from Fabri's own comments), and the interactions with Muslims. However, the sort of achingly romantic tone that the character Fabri takes when speaking of his spiritual bride, Katherine, is out of place. While there was a mystical quality to late medieval piety that we might today term "romantic" (in the wake of the 19th century), the statements that the character Fabri makes about wanting to have sex with his spiritual bride, Catherine, or admiring her breasts, etc., are out of place--these would have bordered on heresy in the middle ages, which used these concepts at most in a highly figurative way. Holman seems to confuse the figurative chivalric "romantic" qualities of the late middle Ages with an overstated nineteenth century romanticism that would have been foreign to the period itself. Another issue that bothered me: Fabri's continual reference to how dirty everything was, which I think is overstated. Everything in the MA was probably indeed dirty and disgusting--but it was that way because it didn't bother people to the extent that it appears to bother Fabri. To sum up: the author uses a lot of authentic detail taken from Fabri's own words, but she misinterprets significant aspects of it. For the historian, the fact that she tells an exciting story does not entirely mitigate this problem.
Rating: 
Summary: A Brilliant First Novel
Review: A rare and delightful find, this book takes us on a 15th century pilgrimage from Germany to the Orient. Along the way we, along with pivotal (and actual) character Father Felix Fabri, are quickly embroiled in a riveting theological mystery. Tracking body parts of the martyred St. Katherine of Alexandria with a candor equaling Patricia Cornwell while displaying a knowledge of history rivaling Barbara Tuchman, Sheri Holman adds her own beguiling style and wit into a breathtaking display of story-telling genius
Rating:
Summary: The TONGUE speaks to me
Review: A STOLEN TONGUE is a brilliant first novel. The complexity of character, motive, setting, and intrigue is technically magnificent, and the rich historical fabric and the philosophical/theological asides are nothing short of ingenious. The emotional involvement of Friar Felix with an idealized St. Katherine and her demented avatar, The Tongue, compel the reader into the novel's underlying sense of spirituality, while the matter-of-fact descriptions of everyday fifteenth century hardship ground that spiritual mood in a real and very difficult world. I read this novel after THE DRESS LODGER and was immensely pleased at the differences in narration, setting, and overall mood between the two books. Ms. Holman is a very talented author.
Rating:
Summary: The TONGUE speaks to me
Review: A STOLEN TONGUE is a brilliant first novel. The complexity of character, motive, setting, and intrigue is technically magnificent, and the rich historical fabric and the philosophical/theological asides are nothing short of ingenious. The emotional involvement of Friar Felix with an idealized St. Katherine and her demented avatar, The Tongue, compel the reader into the novel's underlying sense of spirituality, while the matter-of-fact descriptions of everyday fifteenth century hardship ground that spiritual mood in a real and very difficult world. I read this novel after THE DRESS LODGER and was immensely pleased at the differences in narration, setting, and overall mood between the two books. Ms. Holman is a very talented author.
Rating: 
Summary: Tedious and Distasteful
Review: As a fan of great historical fiction (e.g. anything by Dorothy Dunnett, Eco, Anya Seton), I had high hopes for this book. Alas. The writing here, while noble for a first effort, is ultimately mediocre, the plot obvious and distasteful.
Rating:
Summary: As I remember...
Review: As other reviewers have stated better than I can, this is a wonderful, well written book. What struck me the most is how it brings back all the memories for me of growing up in Catholic school in the 1950's and 60's. The only reading material we had in the early grades were "lives of the saints" - which I read over and over. This novel helped me understand where all the "saint stuff" came from, how it was used, and the purpose of it in the church ruled society. As anyone knows, who grew up during my time, it's all gone now. Indulgences, martyrdom, and St. Agnes eating the putrid bandage as penence - Wow! I found it well worth reading for the insights.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing book, if you love Mystery like Eco's Rose...buy it!
Review: Excellent first novel by Sheri
Holman. I loved her favor of
detail, the little things mattered
you could taste the food, smell
the air, and almost live it. This book is wonderful and
complete, no triliogy needed.
Rating:
Summary: IT'S ALL HERE
Review: From turbulent seas, stinking pilgrims, blood, guts, gore, sand storms, stolen body parts... all integral parts of a great tale of a pilgrimage of one Friar Felix Fabri and assorted others from Crete to Sinai. The story centers around Father Felix and his "wife" the martyr Saint Katherine of Alexandria. While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is one you have to devote all your attention to. I found myself having to reread paragraphs at times to make sure I understood the true meaning of what Sheri Holman was saying. I did find Felix's "devotion" to Katherine to be a little overdone, but it's not obnoxious. Beautifully written, with attention to all details, it is a wonderful book, and I enjoyed it as much as I did The Dress Lodger.
Rating: 
Summary: A Stolen Tongue
Review: Hmmmmmmmm.....Catherine with a C or a K........Who cares? Holman is a talented writer which makes this an enjoyable read. However, the story became tedious at times and confusing. Friar Felix is an entertaining, well developed character, while others I kept asking myself, why are they here? The images of the 15th century, created by Holman with her vivid descriptions of vomit, pus, ooze and any other vile concoction is effective and had me wrinkling my nose at all the appropriate times.
Rating:
Summary: Good, not Great
Review: I wanted so badly to like this book. I read so many positive reviews on Amazon, and I like historical fiction generally. The main character, Father Felix, is a sniveling, demented crybaby and sissy. I wish I would have been there just to smack him upside his head. I doubt the real Father Felix acted this way. I expected there to be some mystery involed in the plot as well, but Holman was very transparent in this area. I wonder what this book would have been like had Ian Pears written it. (hint: MUCH BETTER) If you are a Holman fan, read it. If you have a long bus ride, and you have a copy of this book, read it.
|
