Rating: 
Summary: The Irish deserve better than Peter Tremayne
Review: As a church historian I found the work to be so factually flawed that any hope of an enjoyable mystery was crushed under a load of historical inaccurracy obviously fed by a desire to make 7th century Ireland amenable to 20th century feminists. In the first six pages I found so many skewed historical "facts" that I can honestly say the author has raised "historical fiction" to a new level i.e. prayers being repeated in the 6th century that were not written until the 13th century.
Rating:
Summary: The Irish deserve better than Peter Tremayne
Review: As a church historian I found the work to be so factually flawed that any hope of an enjoyable mystery was crushed under a load of historical inaccurracy obviously fed by a desire to make 7th century Ireland amenable to 20th century feminists. In the first six pages I found so many skewed historical "facts" that I can honestly say the author has raised "historical fiction" to a new level i.e. prayers being repeated in the 6th century that were not written until the 13th century.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting series - except for the heroine
Review: Contrary to Dr. Scheibler's charge, Tremayne's Sister Fidelma mysteries accurately reflect the history of mid-7th century Ireland. Tremayne did not have to fictionalize the setting to make it "amenable to 20th century feminists." The Ireland of those years was as he describes it, notwithstanding an occasional minor anachronism. Even some Catholic histories of the saints acknowledge that Brigid was consecrated a bishop, although some also contend that a nervous bishop said the wrong prayer. Nor is there any doubt that Ireland was then an intellectual capital, with a long-established Brehon law system. There was, as Tremayne recounts, a spirited (pardon the pun) debate going on between the Irish and Roman churches. Some Irish religious practices were, indeed, adaptations from the Druidic system that Christianity supplanted. There is also no question that there were religious communities of married couples, as there are today -- I can refer Dr. Scheibler to one if he'd like. He apparently takes such great offense at Tremayne's reconstruction of a period of history with which he's uncomfortable that he has taken leave of his critical judgement. Speaking as a Christian conservative enough to oppose ordination of women, except perhaps as deaconesses, I am nonetheless very impressed with Tremayne's plotting (locked room mysteries, love triangles, even a ghost story) and characterization. Hence, I greatly enjoy the Sister Fidelma series, however much I may disagree with its theology. "Hemlock At Vespers" naturally lacks the depth that the novels can boast, but this anthology is a marvelous introduction to a religiese with the deductive abilities of Holmes. (In the novels, she occasionally has a "Watson" of sorts.) The book begins with a story in which a visitor to Brigid's community in Kildare dies, poisoned during dinner, within everyone's view. The collection concludes with a marvelous story in which Fidelma solves the mystery of the ghost haunting an innkeeper and his wife. One story, set in France, features a very diagreeable abbot whose disdain of married clerics (celibacy was not mandatory for Catholic priests until long after this time) makes him a grudging participant in solving a murder. Another tale is set in Rome, where Fidelma finds that it often fails to live up to its designation as the Holy City. Like Harriet Klausner, I highly recommend "Hemlock at Vespers." I do quibble with her use of the term "Dark Ages" Ireland. As Tremayne notes, this period was rather an "Age of Golden Enlightenment," especially in education. Newcomers will, I think, be fascinated by this young, intelligent and strong-willed advocate of the Brehon courts who has also taken religious vows. Long-time fans of Fidelma will enjoy this collection of snapshots, the short stories that inspired the novels.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Mysteries, Good History
Review: Contrary to Dr. Scheibler's charge, Tremayne's Sister Fidelma mysteries accurately reflect the history of mid-7th century Ireland. Tremayne did not have to fictionalize the setting to make it "amenable to 20th century feminists." The Ireland of those years was as he describes it, notwithstanding an occasional minor anachronism. Even some Catholic histories of the saints acknowledge that Brigid was consecrated a bishop, although some also contend that a nervous bishop said the wrong prayer. Nor is there any doubt that Ireland was then an intellectual capital, with a long-established Brehon law system. There was, as Tremayne recounts, a spirited (pardon the pun) debate going on between the Irish and Roman churches. Some Irish religious practices were, indeed, adaptations from the Druidic system that Christianity supplanted. There is also no question that there were religious communities of married couples, as there are today -- I can refer Dr. Scheibler to one if he'd like. He apparently takes such great offense at Tremayne's reconstruction of a period of history with which he's uncomfortable that he has taken leave of his critical judgement. Speaking as a Christian conservative enough to oppose ordination of women, except perhaps as deaconesses, I am nonetheless very impressed with Tremayne's plotting (locked room mysteries, love triangles, even a ghost story) and characterization. Hence, I greatly enjoy the Sister Fidelma series, however much I may disagree with its theology. "Hemlock At Vespers" naturally lacks the depth that the novels can boast, but this anthology is a marvelous introduction to a religiese with the deductive abilities of Holmes. (In the novels, she occasionally has a "Watson" of sorts.) The book begins with a story in which a visitor to Brigid's community in Kildare dies, poisoned during dinner, within everyone's view. The collection concludes with a marvelous story in which Fidelma solves the mystery of the ghost haunting an innkeeper and his wife. One story, set in France, features a very diagreeable abbot whose disdain of married clerics (celibacy was not mandatory for Catholic priests until long after this time) makes him a grudging participant in solving a murder. Another tale is set in Rome, where Fidelma finds that it often fails to live up to its designation as the Holy City. Like Harriet Klausner, I highly recommend "Hemlock at Vespers." I do quibble with her use of the term "Dark Ages" Ireland. As Tremayne notes, this period was rather an "Age of Golden Enlightenment," especially in education. Newcomers will, I think, be fascinated by this young, intelligent and strong-willed advocate of the Brehon courts who has also taken religious vows. Long-time fans of Fidelma will enjoy this collection of snapshots, the short stories that inspired the novels.
Rating: 
Summary: The best way to meet Fidelma
Review: Fidelma is an Eognacht princess, sister to the king of Cashel and respected advocate of the ancient Brehon laws, She is called upon to solve dark mysteries and murder most foul for Fidelma is a qualified dálaigh and if you haven't met her yet - then you're in for a very pleasant surprise. She's fiercely intelligent, clear-headed, analytical, stiff-necked, irritable and an all-round gutsy girl !Hemlock at Vespers contains 15 stand-alone stories, perfect for the newcomer and the follower alike. It's the best way to meet the redheaded moody protagonist and dedicated Fidelma fans will love the stories and understand the reasons for her disillusionment with the House of Blessed Brigid
Rating:
Summary: Celtic Short Stories!
Review: I am usually not a fan of short stories. I prefer the longer mystery novels where there is time to develop characters and to embellish plots, but these 15 short stories of Sister Fidelma are well worth the effort. Yes, there is a lot of repetition by way of introduction for each story, but they are intended to be stand-alone stories and not every reader may see all the stories or have read the Sister Fidelma novels. But the stories were interesting because they were set up in the order of creation, and we see Fidelma developing as she goes along. There is such an array of settings, crimes and motives for each story that it keeps the interest of the reader. The descriptions of the countryside in the various seasons were what I enjoyed the most. The last story in the book has the best description of a snow storm that I've read. If you're a Sister Fidelma fan, you really should take the time to read these stories. You will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Celtic Short Stories!
Review: I am usually not a fan of short stories. I prefer the longer mystery novels where there is time to develop characters and to embellish plots, but these 15 short stories of Sister Fidelma are well worth the effort. Yes, there is a lot of repetition by way of introduction for each story, but they are intended to be stand-alone stories and not every reader may see all the stories or have read the Sister Fidelma novels. But the stories were interesting because they were set up in the order of creation, and we see Fidelma developing as she goes along. There is such an array of settings, crimes and motives for each story that it keeps the interest of the reader. The descriptions of the countryside in the various seasons were what I enjoyed the most. The last story in the book has the best description of a snow storm that I've read. If you're a Sister Fidelma fan, you really should take the time to read these stories. You will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Offensive and politically incorrect
Review: I feel as though I have been victimized by a hate crime after reading Hemlock at Vespers. The short story, THE POISONED CHALICE is purposefully and demonically insulting to the Catholic faith. The murder weapon is the Most Blessed Blood of Christ which is blasphemy in itself. The character "sister" Fidelma is quoted as saying, "It is, to my mind, a warning of the dangers of believing what was meant as symbolism is , in fact, a reality" No greater insult can a Catholic imagine. Shame on you Peter Tremayne!
Rating:
Summary: Interesting series - except for the heroine
Review: The premise of this series is beguiling: Tremayne choose enlightened 7th C. Ireland with a young woman lawyer/religuese/sleuth as protagonist. And indeed it works for the most part except that Sister Fidelma is a patronising, antagonistic, humorless little prig. Hemlock at Vespers is a collection of short stories and Tremayne tries to soften Fidelma by, for example, repeating in EVERY story, usually by the second paragraph, how a few strands of rebellious red hair had escaped her headpiece. He even has her smile occasionally. But generally this woman is so stiff and obnoxious and difficult to like that it affected this reader's ablity to enjoy the collection. I've read most of the books in this series and recommend "Death By Absolution". In book format rather than short stories, Sister Fidelma's pungent presence is diluted by the other characters and historical events, and makes for much more fascinating reading than Hemlock at Vespers.
Rating:
Summary: A good introduction into the world of Sister Fidelma
Review: This book is a valuable read to anyone who has read the Sister Fidelma books or would like to. It gives great background and introduces you to her sleuthing style and personality. She is quick witted and clever with a biting tongue. Hers is a likable personality, which Hemlock at Vespers showcases. It's a must have!
|
