Journal Entry 1 by irishajo from Indianapolis, Indiana USA on Monday, September 22, 2003

An epic novel that spans 1500 years of Christian history, centered around the church at Glastonbury. Includes legends about Saint Patrick and King Arthur. Very long, but quite interesting. 

Journal Entry 2 by irishajo from Indianapolis, Indiana USA on Sunday, November 30, 2003

Sending to another bookcrosser as part of a trade. 

Journal Entry 3 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Tuesday, December 09, 2003

The book arrived today. Thank you! This one looks good. 

Journal Entry 4 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Sunday, July 04, 2004

I'm only halfway through this book, but since it's so long, I'd like to make some comments on the first half of the book before I forget them.

I guess the subtitle on the front cover should have warned me - "The Novel of Christian England" (especially with "the" instead of "a") - but I plunged in anyway. And I am completely overwhelmed with the Christianity in this book - overwhelmed in a bad way.

Celtic Britain - Oh, my gosh. This was the worst section. I almost gave up on this book. The Christian prattle in this section was just nonstop. No offense to Christianity or Christians, but it was just too much. And then to make those that stayed true to the Old Ways into complete monsters just seemed to go too far. Can't those opposed to Christianity be actual people themselves? Or do they have to be awful, horrible people in order to show how great Christianity is in comparison. Give us a better balance. The world is not black and white like that. See, I can't even talk about the story itself because this part of it got in the way.

Roman Britain - Parts of this section were almost boring. The Christianity lightened up a little, but only a little. I was able to get into the story itself a bit more, but just when it started to get good, it was over (translation - story becomes over as soon as all main characters convert to Christianity - that seems to be the only point in this section).

Arthurian Britain - Finally. A good balance. The Christianity did not overpower the story. It was there, but as a backdrop - where it should be. However, the story itself was quite - interesting. The Ancelot (Lancelot?) as Gwenhumara's father?? And also Urien as Morgana's father? That was a bit strange. Otherwise, I mostly liked this section. It didn't hit me with the power and emotion and other Arthurian stories do.

So now I still have Anglo-Saxon England, Norman England, and Tudor England to go. I'm just hoping the balance found in the Arthurian section of Christianity and story will continue and will allow me to enjoy the story of the remaining sections. We shall see. 

Journal Entry 5 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Monday, July 12, 2004

Just finished the book (I feel a great sense of accomplishment - 850 pages!). The last sections overall seemed more balanced with story and Christianity, so I was able to enjoy them a little more. I didn't feel that I was being forced to accept Christianity as much. It became more of what it should have been from the start - a fictionalized history of Christianity in England, centered around what happened at Glastonbury. So either the author balanced more as writing or I just got used to it as I was reading. I'm not sure which it was. I still skipped over parts that were songs and prayers to God.

It was really interesting to see how this author handled various bits of history. She definitely did her research, but also took a lot of creative license. One example is the way she explains why Gildas's history does not contain any mention of King Arthur. 

Journal Entry 6 by karendawn at on Tuesday, July 13, 2004

Released on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 at Mailed to a fellow Bookcrosser in n/a, n/a Controlled Releases.

off to gill846 

Journal Entry 7 by gill846 from Victoria, British Columbia Canada on Monday, July 26, 2004

Came home today to find this waiting for me. Wow! What a brick! You are so generous, karendawn! I just read through your comments, and this sounds like it's going to be an interesting read. I think I will probably end up a little overwhelmed by the Christianity too, but I'm glad to be forewarned! That way I'll know not to give up, as it will get better.