The Fool's Path: A Tale from the Lothemian Legacy

by Nancy J. Attwell

Book Overview

Set in the medieval kingdom of Lothemia during the turbulent thirteenth century, The Fool's Path is the story of the great friendship between two knights, Sebastian and Raynar, and of the woman loved... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1933142138
• ISBN13: 9781933142135
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Bowman's Press
• Length: 297 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Eagerly awaiting the sequel...

A wonderful book! Nancy Attwell blends action, intrigue and romance in a story that is realistic yet grand and noble. Her characters, both those central to the weaving plots and those just passing through, are vibrantly alive, and your concern for their fate carries you through the story and draws you deeper into the land of Lothemia. Swordfights and battles, wit and revenge, love and loyalty- this book has a very wide appeal. A rare find that manages to have something for everyone without sacrificing quality.

A Terrific Book for Everyone

This book is a page-turner you won't want to put down. It has something for everyone--male and female. Romance, story-telling, warfare, intrigue, etc. A Fool's Path is perfect for book clubs as well as personal enjoyment. This tale is woven seamlessly with strong characters and a fast-moving plot. The setting becomes so real you will find yourself looking for the fictional Lothemia on the map. Christine Pollock Managing Editor Coalition for Quality Children's Media-KIDS FIRST!

Historical fiction at its best!

Ms. Attwell's book provides a perfect example of why I love good historical fiction. Instantly, the reader is transported into another time and place--in this case, medieval times--where he or she can get a sense of what it was like to live then. The Fool's Path weaves a wealth of detail about the period into the story, and the reader learns so much. Even more important, the reader is transported by the story, comes to know the complex, believable characters, and wants to keep reading to the end. Having finished the book, I'm ready for more of these same characters. This is a must-read for lovers of historical fiction, those with any interest in medieval history, and readers who are merely looking for a good story. Though clearly an adult novel, I think many young adults would also love it.

History much of the time is half fiction, its spirit very often beyond our grasp.

The Fool's Path: A Tale From The Lothemian Legacy is an ambitious debut novel in the first of a trilogy from Canadian born Nancy J. Attwell, who shows a wonderful amount of promise as an up-and-coming novelist of historical fiction. When I interviewed Attwell she stated that some of the inspiration of her novel came to her while she spent a year living in the Groot Begijnhof of Leuven, in Belgium, a secular nunnery built in the 13th century. As she further pointed out, that although modernized, this walled compound retains many of its original features including cobblestone streets, winding stairwells, and a Cinderella-like hearth as the centerpiece of our home. This experience granted her great insight into what it was like to live in a medieval community. From the very first chapter there is an intense forward momentum as we are introduced to our principal characters, Sebastian, son of Frederick Duke of Westfield, and his close and faithful friend, Raynar- both of whom could have easily been knights of King Arthur's Round Table. Sebastian has been tricked into returning home by his father, the Duke of Westfield, in order that he capture and imprison the latter's arch enemy, Branold of Gildren. Apparently, Sebastian's father never forgave Branold, who twenty years previously abducted and married the Duke of Westfield's future bride, Judith, as she was on her way to solemnize her marriage with the Duke. Unfortunately, as Sebastian discovers later on his life, he was not much different from his father, as he states: "My father spent his life trying to avenge all wrongs. He was never content to the past be forgotten, Have I been so different? I have not sought revenge, but atonement. And the result has been that I have spent my life either chasing the past or being stalked by it." Adding a little spice and intrigue to the story is Sebastian's falling in love with Katrina, the eldest daughter of Branold, whom he secretly marries and impregnates. However, unfortunately, Katrina in desperation and despondent disappears into the forest to await the birth of her child, subsequently, feigning her death and eventually winds up fleeing across the kingdom of Westfield. Sebastian, unaware of what has transpired and believing Katrina is still alive, enters into an agreement whereby Branold will be set free in exchange for permitting his eldest daughter to marry Sebastian. However, when it is eventually pointed out that Katrina is dead and that the eldest daughter is now Eleanor, Sebastian is now obliged to marry someone whom he does not know and does not love. This is a story that has all the ingredients of a Shakespearian tragedy with its elements of fidelity, valor, revenge, folly, treason, ambition, deceit, love, and ambition. Attwell's careful attention to her characters' voices with its clever and realistic dialogue seamlessly incorporated into the narrative brilliantly captures the life and times of the middle ages. In addition, her wide-ranging

Review of The Fool's Path

I loved this book! The Fool's Path is one of those books that is very hard to put down! It is a delightful blend of medieval mystery, fairy tale, morality play and of course, love story. Ms. Attwell writes with a sense of historical authenticity that makes one want to go and look up Lothemia in an historical altas. The characters are multi-dimensional and complex. The language and tone is very satisfying to read, suggesting medieval English without sounding pretentious. An intelligent and somewhat unexpected sense of humour peaks through from time to time, to give the novel added depth. The Fool's Path is a well-crafted book from a talented and sensitive writer. I eagerly await the next novel from the Lothemian Legacy! Hoppy Roy People, Words & Change, Adult Literacy Ottawa, Ontario Canada