The Fool's Tale: A Novel

by Nicole Galland

Book Overview

Wales, 1198. A time of treachery, passion, and uncertainty. King Maelgwyn ap Cadwallon, known as Noble, struggles to protect his small kingdom from foes outside and inside his borders. Pressured into... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060721510
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
• Length: 526 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 1.2" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

A PAGETURNER

Through intricate power plays propelled by wit and sensuality, this page turner furthers the saying that two is company and three is a crowd. The "three," are the King, the Queen, and the Court "Fool." These are well written, complex characters engaged in a tooth and nail power struggle, hell bent on avoiding the personal and social cruelties in being counted the odd one out. Happy to say this novel is a good read that delivers a surprising and powerful end.

The Fool's Tale

I have read and loved all of the historical novels of Edith Pargeter and Sharon Kay Penman, who have written about the people and events of medieval Wales and England. I now add Nicole Galland to my list of favorite authors on my favorite subject, and hope she will continue to turn out more books as readable as THE FOOL'S TALE.

An exciting, smart and involving novel

I don't generally read historical romances, so was doubtful when I picked up a pre-publication copy. But this is such a good novel -- filled with fascinating, complex characters; intricate plotting, and a good dollop of suspense and surprise -- that I wish there was a whole new genre term to describe it... something like, "Historical Literary Fiction," or "Libidinous Non-Contemporary Narrative Art." Anyway, it's a terrific read, and will make everybody -- those who read lots of historical fiction, and those who turn up their noses at it -- wonder about what they've been missing. Read it the next time you want to be kept up late, trying to find out what happens next.

More than just 'Historical Romance'

This is a great novel about relationships, that just happens to be set in 12th century Wales. It is full of historical details that give a real feel to the time and place, but the importance is on the interaction between some really fun characters! I don't think it should be called a Historical Romance, it is not your typical 'Bodice Ripper'. The emphasis is not on the sex. You get to know the characters, and both love & hate them early on, and then they evolve and change, and suprise you. You then get to a point where you cannot put the book down, you need to know what happens next, and you think you might know, but you could be wrong....! It's a really fun read, it is very sarcastic & witty at times, but also very entertaining to someone who really does like Historical Fiction, the research is there. I recomend it highly!

A great read!

This is a book for all of you who love an intelligent page-turner...compulsively readable and full of wit and several laugh-out-loud moments. Fascinating and fully drawn characters -- watching the emotional events unfold alongside the political is great fun.