Journal Entry 1 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Saturday, May 01, 2004

"Of the Black Death, they said it was the end of the world; I knew better. The world can withstand the sickness of the body, but it remains to be seen whether it will survive the sickness that eats at the souls of our persecutors....

So professes Mother Marie Francoise, born Sybille, a poor midwife who is taught pagan ways by her grandmother and is forced to take refuge among the Franciscan sisterhood as the Inquisition threatens. Her extraordinary life story unfolds when a monk is charged with determining whether the mysterious abbess is a saint or a witch.

Sybille is possessed of exceptional powers, and she is in full command of them - practicing white and black magic, winning the hearts of people with her wisdom, and terrorizing church authorities with her cunning. But even witches are not immune to earthly love, and Sybille embarks on a passionate, dangerous quest to be reunited with her Beloved. As she confronts an exceptional destiny - one that will require her to face the flames in order to save others like her - she relates a tale of impossible triumph that forever changes the inquisitor who hears it.

The Burning Times brilliantly weaves the mythology of the Knights Templar, witchcraft, and gnosticism against a backdrop of actual historical events: the Black Death, the Hundred Years' War, and the catastrophic defeat of France by England." 

Journal Entry 2 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Saturday, May 01, 2004

I was not really expecting a lot out of this book, so I was quite pleasantly surprised to find it quite a good read. I did guess most of the plot twists in advance (except for one part), but it was still quite satisfying. 

Journal Entry 3 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Saturday, May 01, 2004

Journal Entry 4 by karendawn at on Monday, May 10, 2004

Released on Monday, May 10, 2004 at Mailed to a fellow Bookcrosser in n/a, n/a Controlled Releases.

off to Arizona to kick off the bookray! 

Journal Entry 5 by CaptainJack from Duluth, Georgia USA on Saturday, May 15, 2004

Journal Entry 6 by CaptainJack from Duluth, Georgia USA on Saturday, May 29, 2004

It took a bit of effort to read this. I found it to be somewhat forced. The times it describes were quite horrible - so many people, mainly women, were put to death for no good reason. But I found the characters just didn't ring true. Thank you for sharing though! 

Journal Entry 7 by CaptainJack from Duluth, Georgia USA on Saturday, May 29, 2004

Mailed to lauraloo29 this date - airmail, so she should have it soon! 

Journal Entry 8 by lauraloo29 from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Tuesday, June 08, 2004

This arrived today. Wow! That was fast. It looks like an interesting book, although I didn't know it was a hard cover. It will take me a bit longer to read, as I don't carry hard covers back and forth to work on the bus. I'll do my best. :)

Update June 14th. I found it difficult to read this book. I have finally put it down in defeat. It didn't flow nicely for me. I'm frustrated because I'm fascinated with this subject and I could get into it. I will be mailing to omly next week. 

Journal Entry 9 by omly from Arlington, Massachusetts USA on Wednesday, June 30, 2004

I recieved this book in the mail last night. I can't wait to start reading it. 

Journal Entry 10 by omly from Arlington, Massachusetts USA on Saturday, July 03, 2004

Whew! Finished this one in 2 days. Unlike some of the other readers I found that I got into it very quickly and found it hard to put down. (Note to self it isn't a great idea to read on the commuter rail, lest you miss your stop.)

Tolerance has become one of my major concerns, especially as my daughter is just getting to the age where she is getting a peer group. It is so terrifying to hear her repeat comments about homosexuals or those of different ethnicities. She even solemnly informed me that if you said "God" or "Jesus Christ" (in vain) that God would put you in hell. (Needless to say we have been talking a lot about tolerance recently).

My interest in this book was originally based in the topic in general. The lessons of the burning times are something we must all remember. It is so easy to look for a scape goat, be it religious, political or ethnic. I was pleased that it was emphasised that the often the root of injustice and hurting others is fear.

As a novel I felt that this was fairly well written. To me one of the best things about the book was how rich and human the chracter development was, particurly for Sybille who might otherwise have been portrayed very differently. The ending tied everything up rather ubruptly in my opinion, but I can think of no otherway to close. 

Journal Entry 11 by omly from Arlington, Massachusetts USA on Monday, July 12, 2004

This package was mailed this morning. 

Journal Entry 12 by BarkLessWagMore from Merrimack, New Hampshire USA on Wednesday, July 21, 2004

Journal Entry 13 by BarkLessWagMore from Merrimack, New Hampshire USA on Friday, July 30, 2004

Journal Entry 14 by BarkLessWagMore from Merrimack, New Hampshire USA on Tuesday, August 10, 2004

Journal Entry 15 by BarkLessWagMore at Bookring in n/a, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Journal Entry 16 by ladyoflight from Somerville, Massachusetts USA on Monday, August 30, 2004

Received in the mail. I'll start this one right away. 

Journal Entry 17 by ladyoflight from Somerville, Massachusetts USA on Tuesday, September 14, 2004

Despite the comments from other BCers, I was unable to get into this book. I'm not sure why. It could be because I have a bit too much going on right now. I usually enjoy historical fiction, so I guess this is my loss. I'll send it to the next BCer on the list as soon as I get the address. Thanks anyway, karendawn 

Journal Entry 18 by huntersmith from Butler, Georgia USA on Thursday, October 21, 2004

Just recieved yesterday 

Journal Entry 19 by huntersmith from Butler, Georgia USA on Thursday, December 02, 2004

O.K. I must have some sort of mental block going on, but I've been trying to read this for a month, and just can't. I've restarted it, started in the middle. It looks so good, but it won't hold my interest. Sorry, guys. 

Journal Entry 20 by vicki9170 from Saint Petersburg, Florida USA on Friday, December 10, 2004

received today 

Journal Entry 21 by vicki9170 from Saint Petersburg, Florida USA on Sunday, November 26, 2006

Was going through some books today and realized this was a stalled book. Sorry about that. Did PM Nightstar today and will ship it out ASAP. Will journal again when the book is on it's way 

Journal Entry 22 by vicki9170 from Saint Petersburg, Florida USA on Sunday, December 03, 2006

Never heard from Nightstar so PM'ing Auglaise. 

Journal Entry 23 by AnonymousFinder on Sunday, October 18, 2009

I was at a book sale in Tampa and the book was on the shelf, I purchased it for $1.00. Went home and found the BookCrossing label inside and here I am wondering were the book has been.

CAUGHT IN TAMPA FLORIDA U.S.A