THE TROBADOURS QUEST
By Angela Elwell Hunt
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
This is the second book in The Theyn Chronicles.
Book One is called Afton of Margate Castle
Book Three is called Ingram of the Irish
REVIEW
by Miriam Bartlett
This is my favourite book in The Theyn Chronicles. The main character of
this novel is Gislebert, the Troubadour, who was introduced in
Afton of
Margate Castle. When he was only 13 Gislebert met a maid called Nadine.
He fell in love with Nadine at first sight and since that time he has asked
after Nadine at every opportunity he has had. Now, 12 years later, he is
finally given the opportunity to travel and find Nadine, the woman he still
loves.
Shortly into his journey Gislebert his path is crossed by a waif
called Jonas. After their second meeting Gislebert extends an offer for
Jonas to join him on his journey. By accident Jonas’ skill in drawing is
discovered and Gislebert and Jonas travel to many, many villages asking
after Nadine and entertaining the villagers with Gislebert’s poetry and
songs, and with Jonas’ drawings.
However, Jonas has a secret that is
carefully concealed from Gislebert, ‘Jonas’ is really Adele masquerading
as a boy. In all their journey’s Gislebert never unmasks Adeles secret,
even when Adele spends months as ‘Adele, wife of Gislebert’. This may seem
to some people to be a far-fetched story line, but I have personally been
blind to something as obvious, when everyone else was not blind and so I
know that it can happen.
The Troubadours Quest is a very complex story with millions of
unanticipated twists and turns. One issue that it deals with is blind
infatuation and the consequences of this. Another issue that is touched
on is that of greed and how it corrupts people, including monks. Most
importantly however, it deals with the dire consequences of deceit.
Adeles deceit has numerous consequences and as the deceit continues it
gets harder and harder for Adele to tell Gislebert the truth and yet
paradoxically it also gets harder for her to conceal the truth. Adeles
story clearly tells us that deceit is wrong and it can control your life
and lead to a huge burden of guilt.
I really advise you to read this FANTASTIC book.
If you live in Australia, there are limited copies of
this book for $4.95 (very cheap) at Word Bookstores. Even if
you don’t have Afton of Margate Castle, I suggest that you take up this
offer and buy, then read this book.
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Created: Saturday 22nd February 9pm 1997 AESST
Last Updated: Saturday 9th August 1997 12noon AEST
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