Customer Reviews

The Minstrel's Tale

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was a very well-written story about a young girl who dresses as a boy to escape her marriage to a beastly old man, and to realize her dream of becoming a King's Minstrel. Although this story was very enjoyable, it seemed like it needed a sequel. Such loose ends as Lady Christine and her plots were left hanging. Another book about Judith, though, is not a terrible prospect. I can only hope the sequel (if there is one) comes quickly and is as well-written. If you liked The Minstrel's Tale, I am almost positive that you would enjoy The Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce. It is another sereis about a girl that disguises herself as a boy to do the thing she loves (in this case becoming a knight). Overall, this was a very good book and a wonderful read for teen and pre-teen girls.

This wonderful book came highly recommended, and my daughter and I were thoroughly absorbed the entire read. It has all the elements of a story I remember loving as a youngster: limited danger that the heroine overcomes, connection to nature, historical accuracy, friendship, and even romance. I was particularly impressed that the romantic story concluded only after Judith knew she was willing to continue her adventure on her own. A satisfying, entertaining story about being true to one's dreams.

First of all, I loved this book and have read it at least three times. It's a great book, with carefully depicted characters and a wonderful plot. I read it straight through each time, I was so caught up in the story.

Main Character: Judith a.k.a. Jude a.k.a. Stephen: a girl engaged to marry a disgusting and revolting man (this is set in almost medeivel times), she loves music and wants to become one of the Kings Minstrel's, she is strong-willed and brave.

Other Character: Robin: a King's Minstrel who meets Judith and goads her on with her plan of running away...

Plot:
1.Judith runs away to escape her stepfather and disgusting betrothed, disguising herself as a boy

2.Judith a.k.a Stephen is robbed by a bandit, and finds her way to an old friend's house, where a young lady falls in love with "Stephen, Judith's brother"

3.Judith makes a daring escape from an abbey, where she spots the bandit again

4. Judith, now "Jude" enters the minstrel's training school, where she is terrorized by the other boys, yet she must still find a way to survive with out anyone finding out her secret

All in all, it's a terrific book for young adults.

And if you like this book, I suggest you read Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness Quartet, Seven Daughters and Seven Sons, Samantha and the Cowboy (which is a romance), which all have a girl disguising herself as a boy. Or if you just liked the journey part, I suggest you read The Ramsey Scallop, which is sorta like it.
Anyway, if you get anything from this review I hope its this:
READ THIS BOOK!!!

I really wanted to like this book. It was avidly recommended to me by several people, and after reading all the reviews on amazon, I was ready to buy it, and I finished it in one night. It was not at all as I'd imagined.

The first problem with it is that it's so simply written that a seven year old would have no problems reading it, which isn't to say that I don't like children's books- I do. I just like reading books that are slightly above the "see Jane run" level. Books such as The Seer and the Sword or the Crown and Court Duet are also children's books that are far better worded, so they are understandable to a younger audience and enjoyable to an older one, such as myself.

The next big problem, which sorta ties in with the simply written one, is that the book was very much just told, like you might have been reading a brochure. There wasn't any 'showing' going on, and if you're an author or know anything about writing (which I'm sure you do if you're reading this review), you know the "show and tell rule" never tell, always show! The book had no heart or soul to it. It was told so plainly that I found myself falling asleep reading it, though I plowed on through, hoping that it was going to get better, as I'd been told it was quite good.

The characters were dull as well. Judith, the main character, made all the right choices as far as running away from a disgusting betrothed, but the way she reached the conclusion that she didn't want to stay and get married to someone three times her age was nonexsistent. It was almost as if she was a simpleton who had someone whispering in her ear "do this, do that", and she had no mind of her own.

The other characters were also dull and worse than being one-dimensional- they were completely bland. I wouldn't have been able to tell if it was Abbott Simeon or Lady Margaret saying something if the author hadn't said who it was. Finally, the romance at the end between Judith and Robin is a complete joke. They met each other once, "fell in love", and now that they are together, they've seen each other only a few times, and were under observation so they couldn't be themselves. In short, they have spoken maybe three times before deciding they want to marry. Not very convincing, nor does it make anyone respect the main characters more.

The way the author writes is as if she bought a book that gives you the plainest plot imaginable, and tell you that you need exactly so-and-so amount of supporting characters, when to have the climax, etc. The book was one of the most boring I've ever read, and not because it's a children's story- because it's not well written at all.

I suggest you skip this book altogether and opt for an adventure tale that encorporates convincing romance and actually has some descriptive details and interesting characters in it, such as The Healer's Keep.

Born into a noble family in 14th century England, Judith was sent to be educated at a convent after the death of her father and her mother's remarriage. Now thirteen, Judith has been summoned home by her stepfather becuase he feels it is time she got married. He arranges a marriage for her to an repulsive old widower with five daughters, some of whom are older than Judith. She has always longed to use her musical talent. So she cuts of her long hair, dresses in some of her dead brother's clothes, and assumes of the name of "Jude." Her destination: Eltham Palace, where she hopes to become one of the King's Minstrels. Along the way, she faces many dangers, including persuit by her stepfather, thieves, and the danger of discovery. But if she survives and completes her journey, the potential rewards could be greater than the perils. This was an exciting adventure story filled with details of life in Medeival England and featuring as its heroine a brave, resourceful girl determined to shape her own future.

For a children's lit class I had to read two historic fiction novels. I chose this one because the premise sounded interesting: young girl decides to take her fate into her own hands and become a musician. Given this book was set in 14th Century England, that was a very ambitious idea. Unfortunately, even for a children's book, it fell flat.

I was completely unmoved by any of Judith's adventures. I got the feeling the author had a "adventure story primer" sitting in front of her when writing this book. It had a "plug problem 1 here and resolve with character B" sense to it. The story wasn't that interesting until she got to London. The pace picked up and the problem that had nagged me throughout most of the novel was somewhat resolved. Just when the plot actually engaged my interest, the author abruptly ends the novel with one of the most aggrivating conclusions I've read in any book of any genre in a long time.

I ask one question: how likely is it that no one ever figures out that Jude is acutally a Judith? I remember 13 being a very awkward age but never was I mistaken for anything but a girl. Cutting off hair and wearing baggy clothing does not a boy make.

This was a very good story about a girl dressed as a boy. I was wondering if the auther was trying to write in the style of The Canterbury Tales, it does mention Canterbury in the story. Any way the story was filled with adventure and romance, my favorite combination! Best of all it had a good picture of the differences between how the males and females were treated in the times.

I was hoping that this would be a very enjoyable book to read, since I really like historical fiction. However, it didn't meet my expectations at all. It took me a week to finish it, whereas, I finish most books this length in a couple days.

The plot had some promise, though it was a bit cliched, as some other reviewers have said. It starts when Judith, a 13 year old noble's daughter, is betrothed to a horrible, ugly old man. Sound familiar? Anyway, at her betrothal banquet, she plays music with the visiting minstrel, named Robin. Music is her gift and Robin takes pity on her: before he leaves, he gives her an alternative. She can disguise herself as a boy and go to play with the king's minstrels.

Judith decides to run away; she cuts her hair and dresses like a boy, calling herself Jude. The next 100 pages is mainly about her ho hum travels through England. She is robbed, visits a friend, meets a mysterious old woman, goes to a monastery, has a run in with a blacksmith, etc. She finally arrives at the palace to begin her musical training.

She rapidly becomes a star pupil in terms of music at least, but is mercilessly teased and even beaten up by the boys at the school, who are jealous of her gift. Robin is one of her teachers, and she eventually finds out that he knows her secret. However, Robin is called away on family matters and later has to leave for good to manage his family's estate. Meanwhile, Jude is suffering worse and worse treatment. She finally decides to run away and goes to tell Robin before he leaves.

Okay, well, you can guess what happens next. They were really in love with eachother all along and Robin wants her to be his wife and doestn't care that she's only good at music. So in the end, they ride off together, both perfectly content.

My objections were that the plot was very predictable, the characters were boring and hardly developed and the ending didn't make any sense. We only find out in the last five pages that Robin cares anything about Jude at all. It felt like the author just threw it in there at the end.

So, it was just okay. Not awful, but it could have been much, much better. It left a lot to be desired.

Judith is 13 years old, and her greedy stepfather wants to get her married off. Unfortunately, the betrothed he picks for her is much older than her, and unlikable in every aspect. Judith has enjoyed playing music all her life, and her dream is to become a minstrel. But the King's Minstrels, the most elite minstrels ever, are very good and, of course, all boys. So, to get to her goal, Judith dresses up as a boy and runs away from home. She must undergo many hardships along the way, experiencing kindness, deceit, and confusion, but in the end she finds more than she ever dreamed.

Set in an Old England world, the Minstrel's Tale is an amazing book recommended for all young girls. (I was 13 when I first read it.)

This book in about Judith, with has an undeniable gift with playing instruments. But unfortunately, her stepfather has arranged a marriage someone, where her talent for music will have no place in taking care of her new family. Not only that, but her betrothed is over thirty year older than her and has five daughters, some of which are older than Judith herself. At the banquet to celebrate her betrothal, Judith meets a Robin, young man who is in the King's Minstrels. They are immediately attracted to each other, in spite of the fact that Judith is already engaged. The two spend the evening together, singing and playing instruments. But Judith's fiancee drags her away. Robin sends Judith a secret note, urging her to run away, disguised as a boy, to join the King's minstrels. So Judith cuts her hair, changes her clothes, and runs away to Kent, where the apprentices for the King's Minstrels are. On her way, Judith, now known as Jude, must not only shoke off bandits, but also a beautiful young woman who seems to think Judith would make the perfect husband. When she finally makes it to Kent, the master immediately recognizes her talent with music. She becomes an apprentice, sees Robin again, and has everything she ever wanted. But something's missing. Although she is finally pursuing a career in music, something she never once even dreamed of, she is still not happy. Because of jealousy and the fact that she's the new apprentice, Judith is constantly picked on. Thing worsen when Robin leaves, and Judith's secret is in more danger than ever. While wishing for Robins return, Judith wonders whether things will ever be happily ever after for her.