Rating: 
Summary: A Classic: Romance, Adventure, Scheming, Chivalry
Review: When I was an early teenager, I went on a reading binge, and intentionally sought out very long books to read (I guess I saw them as challenges). I found many good books this way ("Anthony Adverse", "The Count of Monte Cristo", "Gulliver's Travels", "Ivanhoe"), as well as some clunkers. The treasures I found were generally well-known classics, and "Ivanhoe" falls into that category, although it's not as widely read as other classics. Some books get labeled "classics" because they're well-written and technically good, as good representatives of literature of their period. "Ivanhoe" is all of those things, but it is also simply a great adventure novel, with lots of action, a heavy dose of romance, well-written characters, treacherous scheming, and a good pace. The writing is highly detailed, giving the reader the sense of having been to the places described and having actually known the characters. It's the same sense that one gets from seeing a very good film: a visual memory is created of the people and places. This book is not for everyone, as it is not simple reading, but is an excellent one for adults and bright teenagers.
Rating: 
Summary: When was the last time...
Review: When was the last time you heard of a 13 year-old who willingly read a 520 page novel written over 150 years ago? Well, if it has been a long time, you may rest assured that it has happened and I am living proof. This book surprised me, I read it voluntarily but I had half-expected it to be a long, unimaginative knights-in-shining-armor story. But I was wrong. The story grabbed me with its flowery old-english, the brave, young, idealist of a hero, and its many surprising twists. I never expected Robin Hood to be a main character, the struggle of Rebecca and her father against the tides of medieval prejudice stirs the heart, and the surprise ending of the last tournament will tickle you. I and my sister's favorite part would have to be the supposed "funeral" of Athelstane, the in-over-his-head Saxon Lord. We were both in stitches as his "ghost" appears just at the right moment...Hehehe. You have to read the book yourself to fully appreciate it, and I would reccomend it to everyone, but especially to fans of G.A. Henty's medieval novels, Jane Austen and James Fenimore Cooper.
Rating:
Summary: A HIDDEN LOVE STORY
Review: Yes I know , this is the kind of book you read when you are a child. I did it. But if you read it again when you are older suddenly there is a totally diferent book.It is a dark story. A book full of conflicts not only political ones. But brother vs. brother, father vs. son; Christian vs. Hebrew; pure love vs. passion.It is still one of those classics that you can read and read again. It is easier than other Scott novels, but I think is deeper. Because here Scott is completely focussed on the story. It is out of Scotland and perhaps this is the reason.
But why is still one of my favourites? Brian de Bois Gilbert. I konw he is the bad guy. But what a bad guy! The confrontation between He and Rebecca is one of those that you never forget. Both are pasionate, and strong. Of course is , by far , more interesting than the story between Rowena and Ivanhoe.
Maybe if the story had been written now the love story will be between Rebecca and Bois Gilbert.
But apart from that I suggest you to read again this book or try it if you never did. It is still full of adventures and romance. A classic.
|
