An Antic Disposition : A Medieval Mystery

Rating:
Summary: Alas, Yorick, fool that he was could not retain his head...
Review: I get so excited when I find another great writer especially in the medieval era. Not only do I get my history, but a mystery mixed in with it. I prefer my history to be as accurate as possible, and though I know from geneaology, going past the year 1000 makes it real fun to find out names and births and deaths because the only records kept at that time were those of kings and queens, and monastery records. They were just starting to keep written records of the local areas and they were very inconsistent. People could and did disappear off the face of the earth just as if they had never existed.

Soon into the story, I became aware that this story was based on Hamlet's story...but not the one that Shakespeare wrote. He wrote a play that was designed to please the masses and get the most information in in as little time as possible. Gordon uses historical records from which Shakespeare also gleaned his stories. This story within a story does a great job of 'filling in the blanks'. When I was in English Literature I did not enjoy Shakespeare's tragedies as much as his comedies for obvious reasons and some not so obvious reasons. I felt that much of the background to Hamlet's inability to forget his father's death was lacking. He would say some things that were poetic alright, but why bring it up if it didn't add much to the story (Alas, poor Yorick, I knew him well).

I intend to read all of Gordon's books now and look forward to it. I had no idea that there was a guild for fools/jesters, though that makes sense. Guilds were their versions of our unions today. Besides the fact that they provided shelter and a sense of companionship for each other.

I was sincerely glad that the story ended a bit more happily than in Shakespere's version. When Amleth brought out something of Yorick's to give to his son, I was relieved he didn't give him his skull! Excellent writing, enjoyable reading, good history. Couldn't ask for more!

Karen Sadler

Rating:
Summary: A winner
Review: In 1204 AD, Pope Innocent III declares the Fools' Guild as the most dangerous enemy that the Christian hierarchy faces, even more perilous than the Saracens, due to their subversive mockery of church hypocrisy. He sends an army of God to devastate the guild. Though they are Fools, these are not fools so they hide in the Black Forest (thankfully it is summer). The members heed the words of leader Father Gerald as he tells a morality tale from the annals of their history that explains why they must continue even though outlawed.

Less than five decades ago in Denmark, three men were in a power struggle to claim the throne. As civil war explodes, another claimant patiently waits to usurp the throne. The Fools' Guild dispatches Terence to observe one of the contenders Duke Orvendil. Upon Terrence's arrival, Orvendil's son renames him Yorick. Major double crosses and murders become the norm as Danish blood flows freely and no one trusts anyone else. Fools like Theophilos, alas he knew Yorick well, was a key player as they destroyed some of the more vile pretenders and their followers. Still he wonders if back in 1157, he and Yorick crossed the line as he has hid his role and his ungainly heritage even from his beloved Claudia.

AN ANTIC DISPOSITION uses a tale within a story to develop a deep morality tale as the prime story line though that is a flashback. That inner plot tells the excitingly "true" story of Shakespeare's' Hamlet. Alan Gordon may have written his best tale to date, which says a lot as this is one of the finest medieval series on the market today.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Highly enjoyable retelling of the Hamlet story
Review: While gathering in the Black Forest for training, the Jesters Guild hears a story of how the Guild worked to prevent a war in Denmark. The story is a long one, involving a man who betrayed his brother and married his sister-in-law, the son who seemed mad, that son's doomed love for a beautiful woman, spies, secret messages and poison.

For the first half the story, the protagonist is a fool, Terrance of York (renamed Yorick by the young Amleth), while Amleth himself becomes the primary figure after the death of his father. Strong story-telling, and the strong underlying story propell the narrative seamlessly through this transition.

In fact, author Alan Gordon retells the story of Shakespear's Hamlet--but with the Fools playing a larger role. The Jester's Guild is a formidable force for peace during the middle east, and a small group of fools have their hands full in a wild time in Denmark's history when the nation is pulling itself together, but where multiple men see their chances to become King--even if it means betraying their promises.

Fans of the Shakespear play will enjoy Gordon's retelling of the story--and the surprise ending. But the enjoyment is not limited to Shakespear fans. The idea of a medieval Fools Guild which wroks for peace is a strong one that has served Gordon well across a number of these stories (and something we need more of in our world today).

If you enjoy historical mystery with a touch of humor, you don't want to miss Alan Gordon's Fool series--and AN ANTIC DISPOSITION is a great one to get started with.