Engaging at times yet also frustrating

It’s been about 20 years since I did graduate studies and encountered Matilda of Tuscany in one of my courses. My professor was a fan of Matilda and introduced us to this larger than life woman who had such a profound impact on Western history. Thus, when Kathleen McGowan dedicated the greater part of "The Book of Love" to the story of Matilda, she had me. Since much of what passes for the history of the middle Ages only focuses on the military and economic conflicts among the narcissistic power brokers of the period, Matilda is often overlooked except in her political and military roles. Yet, this woman impacted so many aspects of medieval society that her influence is still being felt.

McGowan tells the story of Matilda within the context she introduced in her first book that includes Cathar beliefs, the theory that Magdalene was the wife of Jesus and that there has been an alternative “underground” Christianity since the time of Christ. In the author’s notes she makes it clear that she believes this to be true but that she presents it in the guise of historical fiction. She is a storyteller not an academic and is more comfortable presenting what she believes to be true in the form of story than as an academic disputation. She challenges the reader to consider the beliefs she presents on their own merit. Since this is a review of the book as a work of fiction, I will not attempt to discuss the merits of the beliefs presented in the book.

As a tale, the author draws me in whenever she tells the story of Matilda. She gives a nice sense of life in Medieval Italy and most of the characters from that period are fairly well developed and engaging. Even the villain of that part of the story, Henry IV, is believable in his malignant psychopathy. There are many little fables and vignettes, presumably from the “Red Book” that season the story and flesh out the mythological context in which the characters find themselves.

The author looses me when she shifts into the present. I get the feeling that the characters are there simply to explain the beliefs that the author is presenting in the book. Neither Maureen nor Beringer engage me as characters. Cousin Peter Healy seems to be the only character that shows any depth or development.

In a review of "The Expected One", her first book in this series, I complained that the villains were one dimensional, cardboard characters that were not really believable. At least one of the villains in "The Book of Love" is two dimensional. Most of the villains in the shell story are sneering, hooded figures, who skulk in the shadows and whose motivation is unclear. She develops the apparent leader of this cabal a little, yet the contemporary villains are not really necessary to the story. They don’t move the action forward to any significant degree, as that is done by the quest for the Book of Love and hints dropped by a mystery character.

As with the first book in the series, when the story is in the past I’m engaged and enjoy the series. That is what got me to read "The Book of Love" and that is what will get me to go on to the third book in the series.

The narrator does a good job and adds to the enjoyment of the audio book version.

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4 people found this helpful

Truth in the telling

I have read this book and now have listened to it... It was wonderful both times. I love how its put together and also gives history lessons. I find this to be very powerful and am grateful for what it shares, as it makes more sense than what I had learned in the 'traditional' church teachings.
I recommend this book, and the full series, if you question in your heart the life and times of what you were originally taught.

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great book bad narrator!

The narrator was not at all attractive. She made all the characters seem like they were coming out of a Shakespearian play, an old one at that!

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2 people found this helpful

Loved it

Loved the story, the reader and the information. If you’re interested in a story of the feminine side of being Catholic-great place to start.

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an enjoyable listen

I am a fan of these books. there very enjoyable to listen to fun to allow the story to unfold like a movie in my mind. the music at the end is a good touch. first of its kind to my knowledge. on to the next book in this series!

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A truly engaging story.

A truly engaging and plausible story. Love the subject matter! A really fun listen with mystery and intrigue on every page.

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Truth

A well told story weaving history and a reasonable explanation of the thoughts of the characters

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So interesting!

If you are into traditional religion this is not the book for you. If you are open to a great story, spiritual and romantic, woven into history in a "heretical" way, I definitely recommend this book. The narrator does a wonderful job playing all of the parts. I hated for the book to end. Who knows what really happened in history? Even if we were there would we know the whole story? I cannot wait for Kathleen McGowan's next book.

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7 people found this helpful

Female strength...Love for faith

It is a good mixture of love faith and politics.Demonstrating the secrets behind them.

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3 people found this helpful

another must read!

Awesome, wonderful, and a perfect way to enhance one's continued understanding of what Christianity was meant to be. looking forward to reading the next in the series!

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