The Book of the Lion [Paperback]

Michael Cadnum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2001

Returning to the same era of his "In a Dark Wood", Cadnum's majestic novel--part mystery, part history--chronicles the pageantry and brutality of the Crusades under King Richard.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"God wills it!" the Crusaders cry in battle. In this richly detailed and lovingly crafted story, Michael Cadnum explores the terrible paradox of holy war through the eyes of Edmund, a young apprentice metalworker, who finds himself unexpectedly rescued from prison and pressed into service as a squire to a knight. Without a bit of experience with horses or swords, Edmund goes off in terror and delight to help rescue the True Cross from the infidels in Jerusalem, and finds his manhood in surviving the siege of the sea-fortress Acre and the terrible bloody battle of Arsuf.

This is not the sanitized version of the Middle Ages that appears in so many young adult novels. From the first scene, in which the king's men punish Edmund's master by whacking off his hand, Cadnum gives us the authentic brutality of the period--its stink and bugs, random cruelty, drunkenness, and sudden death--as well as its colorful pageantry and lofty ideals. His previous medieval novel, In a Dark Wood, first showed his poetic skill with the small, vivid details that bring these times alive in all their strangeness. In The Book of the Lion, Edmund's journey to the Holy Land is full of such moments, as well as the heart-stopping adventure teens enjoy. The many young readers who are in love with the Middle Ages will come away from this story with their understanding of that time (and our own) enriched and deepened. (Ages 12 and older) --Patty Campbell --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Edmund, a squire, awaits the joint punishment for his master's counterfeiting charges and escapes his fate when a knight asks him to join the Crusades. In a starred review, PW wrote, "The message about the romance vs. reality of war proves powerful, and fans of history and adventure alike will devour this well-crafted, dramatic quest." Ages 12-up. (Oct.)n

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Puffin; Reprint edition (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142300349
• ISBN-13: 978-0142300343
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #758,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #94 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Medieval

More About the Author

Michael Cadnum is the author of thirty-five books, including the National Book Award finalist The Book of the Lion.  A two-time Edgar Allen Poe Award nominee, and an award-winning poet, Cadnum's work is widely acclaimed.

He lives in Albany, California, across the bay from San Francisco, with his wife Sherina.

For more of the latest on Cadnum and his work visit his website www.MichaelCadnum.com
 

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book of the Lion Review by Colin, December 16, 2003

By 

Colin (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of the Lion (Paperback)

The Book of the Lion: Michael Cadnum

Edmond's life is perfect. He is an apprentice of a blacksmith and is friends with a girl that he likes named Elviva. One day all this was ruined when his master was caught counterfeiting gold coins. His master was brutally killed by the soldiers and Edmond had a choice of his hands being chopped off or get sent off with the crusade because he was no better than a thief. He chose to be sent off with the crusade and believes that he won't be able to see Elviva again.

Edmond becomes a second squire of a knight called Sir Nigel. After a long trip across the ocean there was a gust storm and a squire fell off the ship. Since Edmond was already a second squire of Sir Nigel he took place of the lost squire. The crusaders lay siege on the Castle of Acre.

The story takes place in the medieval days where squires and knights take place. I felt like I was in the story myself as Edmond being one of the many squires and knights fighting their way into Acre. Once I started reading I couldn't put down the book for hours and the next thing I knew it was done. I recommend this book who likes historical fiction and lots of action at the climax.

-Colin

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book!, April 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Book of the Lion (Hardcover)

I liked this book because it wasn't a fairy tale. It told the Middle Ages like they were. Cleanliness and personal hygene weren't exactly a priority. People waited like, years before they had a bath. Nobody could read and write (except monks). And people died everday from pointless duels and disease (not to mention the bubonic plague). Nothing good came of the Crusades. They didn't even win back the Holy Land. Trade finally started up again, but that was about it.

If you liked this book you should try: "Catherine Called Birdy" and "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman, and "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite deAngeli.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can smell the middens, March 16, 2001

By 

Sarah Stegall "Munchkyn" (California USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of the Lion (Hardcover)

Michael Cadnum puts us squarely into the alien environment of the 12th century in this well written and evocative novel of a young man's coming of age. Young apprentice Edmund is sentenced to go on Crusade for abetting his criminal master, and finds himself caught up in the excitement and terror of the Cause. Cadnum's vivid imagery had me holding my nose when Edmund's ship drifted down the sewage-laden Thames; this is not a pretty portrait of a romantic Middle Ages. Battlefield rape, smashed skulls, torture, and mutilation should put this novel out of reach of anyone under middle school age, but the unsentimental story and exquisite writing recommends it to anyone older, including adults.