In a Dark Wood Wandering
As seen:
By Hella S. Haasse, and and, Lewis C. Kaplan
avg rating
1 review
During the late Middle Ages, conflict raged between France and England as they battled in pursuit of power, the throne and beyond. It became known as the Hundred Years’ War.
Hella S. Haasse’s epic masterpiece brings this period to vivid life, as the novel’s infamous characters move across a panoramic tapestry woven together by criss-crossed bloodlines and intense rivalries. There is the mad King Charles VI and his heartless Bavarian wife Isabeau; the King’s dashing brother Louis, Duke of Orléans and his
sensitive Italian Duchess, Valentine. Their son, Charles, inherits a ferocious feud with the powerful and scheming Duke of Burgundy. Meanwhile, their bastard son becomes the right arm of Joan of Arc.
Charles of Orléans is the central character of this astonishing novel, a man caught up in deadly dynastic rivalries who survives because he is captured by the English at the Battle of Agincourt and made their prisoner for the
next 25 years. In that time he perfects his craft as a writer and becomes one of the great French poets of the era.
In a narrative that spans decades, we also bear witness to the reign of three English Kings: Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V, the brilliant leader of the English army, who changes the face of war at Agincourt.
First published in the Netherlands in 1949 and never out of print, In a Dark Wood Wandering is a timeless classic.
TweetReviews
Fortunately I was advised to read the In troduction and Afterword before reading the book itself. That was a big help to understanding/enjoying it ; and explaining hoe the title the title came about , as the dutch title didnt translate satisfactorily.It was "exciting" to find references throughout the book to the tittle, to see just where it came from!
I knew nothing about the 100 Years war, other than it lasted a bit longer than 100 Years.This has been a really interesting read. It is a long book, but it kept me engrossed for the most part.
It tells the story from the perspective of the French. In particular the Dukes & the King, so the names were completelyunknown to me. I found that for the first few pages I had tokeep referring to the Cast of Major Characters, but was soon finding my way around the nobility.
Principally it is the story of Louis, Duke of Orleans and his relationship with King Charles V1, and his love of France and wanting France to be united.
We see the ambitions of the Dukes and how they are just out for what they can get, all hassling to rule the country, whether on the throne or the power behind the throne.
Then comes the Battle of Agincourt and here we can really liken it to modern day politics where even now the good of the people is of no account. In this case it’s the good of the poor who are soldiering for France. Louis saw they were going into battle in completely the wrong way, but those in charge refused to alter the way it had been done for years, despite the way the English were gearing up for combat. and that is what they did, regardless of what would happen.
If you know nothing of French history, nothing of the 100 years war, I strongly recommend In a Dark Wood Wandering. Despite it’s length it’s very readable and enjoyable. The only thing that jarred with me was that it was translated into English, but with American spellings. True, it doesn’t alter anything but just jarred.
KAREN
