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| Derek Jacobi as Brother Cadfael |
One of the commenters on my Tales in Wales post suggested the Brother Cadfael mystery series written by Ellis Peters (aka linguist-scholar Edith Pargeter).
I am only familiar with the good brother through PBS's Mystery! program starring Derek Jacobi as the 12th century monk. According to information I gathered on Wikipedia, Cadfael is Welsh, served as a soldier and sailor, and then, in his forties, became a Benedictine monk in Shrewsbury Abbey in western England.
He solves mysteries by close observation and sometimes uses his knowledge of herbal medicine to solve the crime. His background and age make him a bit worldly, and of course he comes into conflict with his superiors, which only adds to his charm.
The Mystery! series (1994-1996) includes thirteen episodes. Peters wrote twenty books featuring her Welsh monk-detective between 1977 and 1994.
A Morbid Taste for Bones is the first chronicle and involves moving Saint Winifred's remains from Wales to the abbey in England. Someone gets murdered in the process and the chase is on.
Sounds like this series combines a bit of botanical knowledge, history, and mystery. Although not my favorite time period, they don't call it The Dark Ages for nothing, I will put Brother Cadfael on my list.
Any Cadfael fans out there?
I have watched Cadfael and read a number of the books. I would say that I like the series and the books about equally (and I usually prefer the book to the show or movie). I enjoy reading the book first and then seeing the show. I find that the book explains what is happening better, but the show is so good that they both have their advantages. However, I would not recommend reading many of the books in a row, you tire of them quickly that way. Read one once in a while for light historical mystery break.
ReplyDeleteGood advice, Laura, about spacing out the books. I sometimes get so excited in finding a new author that I like that I want to gobble all the books up at once...and then, like you say, they sometimes get a bit tiring.
DeleteI have only seen one or two of the PBS episodes so Brother Cadfael is pretty much a stranger to me.
I read all of these as they were published and mourned both Cadfael and Ellis Peter's passing when she died. I think the earlier ones are better as later on the issue of whodunit became rather predictable, but they're all worth a read and a good way of getting to know a period in English history that isn't often explored.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, Alex. Since I 'must' read a series in the order in which the books were written, I will get a good dose of the earlier ones. I like the idea of combining mystery and history, don't you?
DeleteI've seen the Brother Cadfael series mentioned more than once but like you, it isn't my favorite time period. Perhaps I should give one a try. Maybe once I finish the Miss Read series which I'm rereading inbetween other books I will start on this series.
ReplyDeleteJoyce in KS
Hi Joyce. Well, I have only seen maybe one or two of the PBS episodes. Mostly what I remember is that everyone wore brown! The atmosphere was very dark and gloomy but I guess when you live by candlelight that is the way it is!
DeleteHave you read "A World Lit Only by Fire" by William Manchester? It gave me a better insight into the time period.
I thought the early books very good - perhaps I read them too close together however, as I found the later ones a bit clichéd. Good mysteries, lots of nice details about plants and the period in general.
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki. I like the idea of learning about the plants and how they were used during this time. Another commenter also said that the early books were the best. I guess that means I don't have to read all twenty of them! You have let me off the hook.
DeleteI like both the books and BBC series. However I could listen to and watch Sir Derek read the phone book and be enthralled! The books provide a bit more than the TV series as Ms.Peters, as a self-taught scholar, impresses with period knowledge of the use of herbs, plants and potions. As mentioned above I keep Brother C and Miss Read on hand for when I wish nothing too taxing.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about Sir Derek, Tullik. He is a wonder, isn't he?
DeleteI am fascinated with the use of herbs and plants featured in these books. Have you been to the Chelsea Physic Garden in London? It is a quiet little corner and was established as an apothecaries' garden in the 1600s. It is a delight for the senses.