Customer Reviews

BRAVEHEART

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

As others have rightly pointed out, this novel does have its faults and weaknesses, but on the whole I found it entertaining. I normally read non-fiction, but I liked the movie so much that I felt that I had to read this book.

This would not be a particularly good book to rely on for a history lesson. Randal Wallace butchers history a bit in order to make a juicier plot. Though I would like to think that just as exiting a story could be told without sacrificing accuracy, I must admit that his technique works at times. For example, Randal Wallace portrays an affair between Scottish commander Sir William Wallace and French Princess Isabella that didn't and couldn't have happened. Randal Wallace also writes an epilogue which has an air of sober history, but where he's still running with his wildly revisionist story. He tells us that Edward II's reign was sad and brief. Sad, yes, but I wouldn't call a 20 year reign brief!

A blurb on the back cover makes the mistake of refering to Sir William as a highlander. Even Randal Wallace doesn't make this mistake himself.

There are also other little mistakes, such as giving the name "Stewart" to a character who is little more than a peasant. I'm no professor, but wasn't the name "Stewart" reserved for persons holding an important office in this period?

Despite these negative points, though, the book has it's strenghts. There is romance, drama, tragedy, humor, action, and there are interesting characters. Though I favored the movie over this book in many ways, the book does deliver some bits that the movie doesn't. There are two separate scenes in the book that appear as one combined scene in the movie, and actually that's to the movie's credit.

The book does, however, allow you to get to know the Isabella character better, and this is wonderful and even sometimes humorous. You find out that she's even more thoughtful that her station in life encourages her to be!

Some of the scenes are quite different than the way they appear in the movie -- not neccessarily better or worse, but they are interesting alternatives worth reading for those who like the movie. One of these is a facinating action scene where Wallace and some of his men are being hunted (thanks to Fodran's betrayal) by men using bloodhounds. That's a scene not to be missed!

A book about Scotsmen and their struggle to win their freedom forever ; a book about love, loyalty and devotion. Randall Wallace's Braveheart conjures up the scenes of a film we've all seen and loved. Only that it is much better. The writer pays his respects to his Scottish forefathers narrating the story of Sir William Wallace, the great Scottish national hero, through the eyes of a poet. His descriprions of this land of epic beauty carry us away to Medieval Scotland where we witness the leader's life as a boy, his secret wedding, the battles, his execution by the English.... 285 pages "haunted" by this 13th-century epic hi-story, written by a truly passionate writer. In the heart of Randall Wallace this is exactly how it happened... A true MUST-READ for every dedicated Scottish fan.

It's finally happened . . . and I didn't think it possible. The movie was better than the book! And while the story is a good one (and the only reason I gave this book a '5' rating . . . read on for further positive comments) . . . Mr. Wallace's prose style is rambling. His shift of viewpoints is confusing. And his references to modern phrasings and objects is bizarre, blasting the reader out of the storyline, and into reality. An example: Fifty pages in . . . the setting is solidly 13th century Scotland, a festival is in progress, and the reader stumbles across the following . . . "Farmers were roasting a pig; women were comparing handiwork; young men were tossing a caber -- an unbranched tree trunk roughly half the size of a modern telephone pole -- in the traditional Highland games." What?! Slam! Bam! Back to 20th century America . . . and the telephone pole outside my house. Should have stopped with ". . . an unbranched tree trunk," Mr. Wallace. Leaves the reader scratching his head . . . a happenstance every writer worth his salt avoids like the plague. Writers usually strive for one thing -- total reader immersion. And Mr. Wallace's writing reveals he, too, ascribes to this theory. A better question may be -- where was the editor?! On the good side, there was enough lyrical prose set solidly in the 13th century to keep me reading, which in itself is a coup of sorts. And, except for those jolts at odd intervals . . . it was, as they say on the dustjackets, "A rollicking good tale!"

I'm a huge fan of the movie. I think it had excellent everything and wonderful music. But the book was awful-if I hadn't seen the movie and felt some devotion to it, I would have quit in the middle. The movie was quite inaccurate, but the action and storyline made up for that. But how can I comment on the book? I could say it was poorly written, or I could say that the plot was deviated with holes, or that William's eye color changes, and we never know what Murron is embroidering, or I could just say I wasted my time reading it. Unfortunatly for Randall Wallace, I rarely forget. Let's just say I won't be reading any of his books anytime soon. Don't waste your money-just watch the movie.

Although I enjoyed the film despite all it inaccuracies, (Ayrshiremen in Kilts, no Stirling Bridge etc etc ) I had hoped the book would have been more accurate, but no. Nothing more than a badly written book version of the script. So now all the plebs out there think Wallace was father of Edward the third... no way. (And I'm an Ayrshireman myself btw)

Anyone who wants a reasonable factional account try Tranters the Wallace. It has all the myths and legends, although even it tries too hard to paint bruce as a good guy rather than a landgrabbing Norman who cared little for the people of 'his' country of Scotland.

If you want the real truth try one of the many Factual books just out, but don't waste your time or money on this. Hire the video instead.

It's all right as long as you don't mind the fact that Wallace died before Princess Isabella married the prince; Wallace and the Bruce are unlikely to have had many personal conversations; Wallace probably died during the torture and did not yell out freedom like some superhuman. Aside from that, it is an epic story that became that incredible movie. An entertaining read if you don't mind complete bastardization of Scottish history.

For fact, try "William Wallace: The Man Who Was Braveheart." I don't remember the author, but it's a pretty fast, interesting book.

..I could say I loved the book as much as the movie but unfortunately, that's not the case. I always prefer books over movies so having seen this excellent movie a billion times (more or less), I decided to read the book. Talk about being disappointed! If I hadn't seen the movie first, this book would have been discarded after chapter one but instead, I just kept reading and hoping the story would pick up eventually. Alas, it just dragged on and on. I wonder if Mel Gibson read this book before making the movie? If he had, I think he would agree, his script is way off Mister Wallace's version of the event's which took place in Scotland. A lot of people who reviewed this book seemed to like it but I can only be honest in my opinion by saying I didn't like it and I suggest you stick to the movie version just for the action scenes alone.

As a Scotsman I first of all had grave doubts about seeing the movie version of BH. I was glad to find that it was quite an emotional film however. RW's buik however could perhaps be a little misleading to those not familiar with the story of WW, who think that this is how it happened. Personally I thought it was quite a guid buik for a 12 year old say, but if older readers wish to read a work of fiction which sticks more to the facts then they should seek out the buik "The Wallace" by Scots author Nigel Tranter. This buik makes BH luik like a Disney novel. I gave this review 3, not because of it's reliance on history, but more for the fact that it's an excellent adventure yarn for 12 year olds!!

Although not historically correct, this book never claimed to be. It may also be a book version of the film script, but if you came to this book from seeing the film, that is what you'd want. I think the other reviewers are being a little too harsh, this may be pulp fiction, but if you are prepared for that, it is a good enough read. It conveys the epic battles of the film and relationships in the film quite well and isn't too bad for a film tie-in novel. There is definitely scope for a decent faction book on William Wallace, but this is an OK read for fans of the film.

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If you had walked up to me 10 years ago and asked me what I thought aout the film Braveheart, I would have simply replied "I hate it," and then I'd run away from you as far as possible. Why so? Well, you'd have to thank my daddy for that. He had watched it so much when I was a kid, until I myself was yelling "Freedom" to be rid of that blue faced, butt-showing warrior. I was young then, and did'nt understand Braveheart's meaning. In fact, I would still be clueless if it weren't for viewing it clearly for the first time in my AFL (Alternative Forms of Lit) class.
Let's just say I was. . . .blown away. And very ashamed of myself for hating such an enjoyable story.
Braveheart is similar to most films about epic early century wars, most of them containing a fearless, romantic heo. In this case it's our Scottish lad William Wallace. For me, he stood out from the rest of epic heros. I loved the fact that we wasen't raised wanting to be a part of a great war. He wanted peace between Scotland and England. Of course, It did'nt work out that way. The english guards took his wife's life and was going for taking his country's freedom. Wallace had no choice but to fight back. Even in the end, when his fate took a horrible turn towards death, he suceeded in touching every one of his followers' heart.
Not only that, the cinematography was awesome!!! The random scenes that panned Scotland's mountains, the gory (but wonderful) battle scenes, and even the close-up of Wallace's face as he yelled that well known line at his death sentence: they were just some of the parts that makes Braveheart unbelievable. The movie in a whole was inhanced by music and lighting that can actually let you feel the mood that every character is feeling in each scene. Need I say more?
To those who dis Braveheart: What does it matter that it's historically incorrect? If you'd take your heads out of your "must be accurate" butts, you can learn some other morally right things from this film. Like standing up for what you believe in and fighting for what's right!!!
I'm going to go apologize to my dad now for never believing in his great taste in movies.
Peace-Story.