Customer Reviews

The French Executioner

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is the intention of C.C. Humphreys to write more of an adventure novel filled with "swashbuckling and derring-do" rather than a true historical novel. There is, nonetheless, much research that went into this epic work. However, the sheer size of the book weighs down the excessively lengthy plot.
In 1536, Anne Boleyn, wife of Henry VIII, is to be beheaded. The King brings over from France a renowned executioner to do the job properly. Jean Rombard is the executioner. Anne, just prior to the execution asks one favor of Jean-- that her hand (the one with six fingers) is buried at a sacred crossroad in France. Jean agrees but an eyewitness, Archbishop Giancarlo Ciba, sees him cut off the hand and arranges that Jean be robbed and left for dead. Jean, remembering his oath to Anne, is determined to get back the hand and bury it at the sacred location. The rest of the book concerns his quest to fulfill that promise.
C.C. Humphreys admirably attempts to write a novel reminiscent of THE THREE MUSKETEERS. However, in spite of his attempt to concentrate more on the entertaining side of the story, he seems to get bogged down in the historical detail. There are many parts of the book that will remain with the reader long after the book is closed-- such as the humanity and tragedy of Anne Boleyn's execution or the scenes aboard a warship in which the main characters are slaves relegated to rowing. The plot is multifaceted and quite complex. Yet, the story does not move smoothly enough through the many pages. The end result is a book that is overall difficult to read yet filled with impressively written episodes. It is, nonetheless, an original work.

I was originally interested in this book because of my fascination with Anne Boleyn. The Anne Boleyn in this book is quite an intriguing character, even though she is technically dead for most of the novel. This is an exciting episodic novel, with the "heroic" characters much more interesting than the villians, who are rather one-dimensional. Be warned, though, there are many graphic and rather bloody scenes. If this were a movie, I'd have to turn away many times. I found it to be a fairly quick read, considering its length.

`' Bury my six fingered hand...'' When the accursed second wife of Henry The Eighth spoke those words to her executioner Jean Rombaud, the Frenchman solemnly pledged that he would fulfill this royal request. Soon after he embarks on his quest, Jean finds himself locked in a gibbet cage while the Archbishop of Siena, Giancarlo Cibo and his trusted guard, Heinrich Von Solingen rides off with the Queen's hand. The gibbet keeper releases him with the promise that he would be Jean's partner in the expedition.. Along the way, Jean and Fugger are joined by a loyal and devoted Norseman, a stone throwing Beck whose secret identity would only be revealed when romance creeps in for the widowed Jean and the pleasant Muslim mercenary, Januc.. Their journey takes them to a life of slaves in the galley, a heart pounding escape through the public square in Siena in the middle of the chaotic Palio, to a village infested with St Antony's fire, to the midst of holy war in a German town, and culminates at a crossroads in Pont St Just, near Tours - as Jean Rombaud faces the man who stole not only from him, but from the revered and dead Queen of England. A thunderous and action- rich novel, Hollywood producers should take a look at this fine work of drama adventure and consider turning it into a movie- it would surely give blockbuster hits such as Kingdom of Heaven and Braveheart a run for their money. Author's prose was easy and smooth, allowing readers to enjoy each and every word like a sip of dark black coffee running through a red, sore throat. The descriptions of events were so vividly detailed that one is able to envision it in front of one's very eyes - every single act, every single spoken word, each flicker of the eye, the arc of a scimitar sword, the sharp heavy blade gliding through a neck- it is all opulently depicted that no disgruntled reader would turn the last page in frustration. - Suhainah Wahiduddin -

This is an epic tale that brings to mind LadyHawk and Princess Bride. Humphreys weaves a tale as brilliantly as JK Rowling. I was hooked from the start and never knew what was coming next and was NEVER disappointed. This may be the most fun story I've ever read!

Have you ever noticed that things are often better in your imagination than when you see it on screen before you? If so, read The French Executioner. The book has everything. Interesting characters, history, action, humour, exotic locals and everything is so vivid and exciting that your imagination plays the book out like a movie in your mind. I lent this book to my dad and he could hardly put it down. It is really very different then alot of what is out there. I read it after reading The Princess Bride and it blew Princess Bride away. Give this book a try, you won't regret it!

This book is awesome! The characters are all different and very complex and interesting! The beggining kind of puzzled me but then everything got clearer. I loved this book! It has everything a book should have! Adventure, romance, suspense,blood, treason, people in disguise, and even a tiny little bit of romance. At the beggining the book will be kinda boring for some( me included) because it's kinda hard to grasp the concept but after that, you will find thta it is almost impossible to turn down this book.My favorite character was Haakon. He was loyal, and had an interesting story.Very entertaining. I hope you enjoy this book!
Hoch, Hoch!

Simply put, one of the best books I have read this year, action, adventure, mystery, humour, romance, hints of the paranormal-just about everything I LOVE in a book and a sequel out right now too! How sweet it is! Don't miss out on reading this book! I devoured every word!

I would lie if I confirmed much value to this book, but I would also lie if I said I didn't like it. It's a fun book - a page turner. It keeps you going.

It takes place with the execution of Anne Boleyn, where she requests her executioner to bury her six-fingered hand for her, because it could be used as a weapon, after he kills her. Unfortunately, the hand is taken away from the Executioner, Jean Rimbaud, by Archbishop of Siena. He goes through many adventures which at the time can get very wearsome, because after all there is no substance to the book except the confusingly-worded fighting scenes. It took me a while to get used to Humphrey's language in the fights.

Nontheless, it is obvious much search went into this piece and The French Executioner is much better and more interesting than its sequel, The Blood Ties. But at the times, Humphreys' language can bother you because his style is not chiseled nicely. It sounds too dry he does not have a smooth way to revealing evidence. Sometimes he forces things too obviously and awkwardly. He should learn on how to make things flow nicely.

In conclusion, this was not supposed to be some highly intellectualy analysis of Anne Boleyn and the era, but another bad attempt to cover up a movie script proposal. All I can say is that this book can never be made into one movie (maybe a LotR trilogy or a mini series) because the plot is too lenghty and complicated and climaxes are not put in the right places.

The year is 1536 and Henry the VIII has decided that his wife Anne Boleyn the mother of his daughter Elizabeth, must face the executioners block.

An expert swordsman, Frenchman Jean Rombaud is brought over from France to carry out the wishes of the King.

On the eve of the execution Rombaud makes a solemn promise to the queen that he will bury her deformed six finger hand, the symbol of her so-called witchery. In a Europe ravaged by religious wars the hand of this infamous Queen is seen as a powerful talisman that many will kill for.

From a battle with slave galleys through many other adventures. Jean seeks to keep faith with his vow.

This is a book of adventure, courage and undying loyalty and I commend it to you.