Ivanhoe discussion

Normally I warn off from historical fiction those with no historical background in the period covered. Not so, a widow's crusade. Once those unfamiliar with the French language gets past the names and titles of characters, anyone will enjoy the book.

The title might lead one to think of the widow’s crusade to mirror the Children’s Crusade---which it mentions in the book---but it consists basically of one widow in search of a Templar she believed dead but was give hope he lived.

The novel begins with the couple falling in love, but he chooses God---to go to serve God on a crusade---in preference to remaining locally to marry her. Or so she believes. She tells him to leave and never come back. Soon after she realizes she should not have so overreacted to his calling. Then news comes of the crusade’s disaster and word that he died.

After hearing this she marries an older man of her father’s choosing, but other than bearing him two children he sleeps with a mistress and has little to do with her.

Then she hears her former love---though not lover---may still be alive, serving in a lowly position for a man she knows. All too easily, she arranges travel to the Holy Land. She finds the former knight, but now he has a servant’s demeanor and mind. He believes himself unworthy of her and she must re-win his love.

Except for the somewhat unrealistic---but possible---ease in which she arranges travel and makes the trip, the book is flawless in describing an actual trip and adventure that might easily have taken place. The consequences of the Children’s Crusade was well and accurately told. Other descriptions were accurate and illustrated by pictures at the end of the book.

Recommendation: READ!