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27 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A macho multi-culturalist Templar, October 19, 2006
Are you a serious admirerer of the Knights Templar? Then this isn't a book for you. Do you just love Templar hype? Do you have a collection of weird Templar books at home or in your trailer? Then "The Knight Templar" is a must have.
I'm sure you've read books where the Templars are pirates, terrorists, Satanists, keepers of the Holy Grail or just plain mean to poor Ivanhoe. Forget about them. Say goodbye to Earl Sinclair, Brian Guilbert and albino killers in Paris. Say hello to Arn Magnusson, the pro-Muslim multi-culturalist Templar.
"The Knights Templar" is a English translation of the Swedish novel "Tempelriddaren" by Jan Guillou. I've never read the translation, so I can only vouch for the Swedish original. You just have to buy this book anyway! If you live in Nueva Mexico or Puerto-damn-Rico, you can even purchase a Spanish translation. Note that "The Knights Templar" is really the second part of a trilogy. However, it can be read independently of the others.
Jan Guillou is a highly controversial writer, journalist and political columnist. Politically, he is very left-wing and pro-Muslim. Indeed, he is blacklisted by US authorities and can't enter the country! The heroes of his novels are always tough macho guys. But they are tough macho guys with a twist: they are politically correct tough macho guys. If you can imagine a politically correct version of Arnold Schwarzenegger, you can imagine Arn Magnusson, the main character of "The Knights Templar".
The novel is very well-written. It cleverly weaves together fact, fiction and sheer fantasy. Indeed, it's so clever that you have to be an expert on the history of the crusades to untangle the fact from the fiction. Guillou even utilizes Muslim legends about Saladin's dealings with the Templars. According to one legend, Saladin was once saved by a Templar. According to another, he once pardoned a Templar who mysteriously resembled Saladin's brother. In the novel, this Templar gets a name: why, it's Arn Magnusson of course!
The plot is set in the late 12th century, shortly before the Muslims under Saladin capture Jerusalem. Arn is a Templar from far-away Sweden who develops pro-Muslim sympathies while in the Holy Land. He saves Muslim Bedouins from being killed by rougue crusaders. From his castle at Gaza, he rules the Muslims fairly, even to the point of implementing Muslim laws. He rids Gaza of bandits and employs Muslim doctors. Only his valiant sense of duty makes him fight for the Christians, whenever he is called up. Yet, Arn's fate is mysteriously bound to that of Saladin.
Of course, the novel is political propaganda. It's not really about the 12th century but about the 21st. Guillou has never hidden his pro-Arab or pro-Muslim sympathies in the Middle East conflict.
Be that as it may, this book will make a fine addition to your high strangeness library of Templar lore. God wills it!
PS. In this book, you'll finally get the answer to that Question of Questions. Why on earth did Ivanhoe hate Templars?
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exquisite installment in medieval heroic epic, May 7, 2010
This review is from: The Templar Knight: Book Two of the Crusades Trilogy (Hardcover)
Now exiled to the Holy Land for his illicit love, Arn Magnusson has risen in the ranks of the Knights Templar. Known as Al-Ghouti among the Saracens, Arn's reputation precedes him. On both sides, Arn's reputation of strength in battle, intellect and heart gives him standing not only among his own men, but also those of his enemy. In 1177, a momentary truce and a chance encounter with Saladin bring sworn enemies together in ways that will forever change the course of events and Arn's life. Arn serves as the the master of the Gaza fortress. As a Knight's Templar, his duty is more important than his life. More important than Gaza is his duty to protect those closer to Jerusalem and slow down Saladin's march forward. Separated from Cecilia, the woman he loves by twenty years of time and miles of distance, his one hope is to fulfill his sentence of exile. Cecilia lives out her sentence at a convent back home. While the Crusades rage on overseas, another battle, a war between clans, rages within the monastic walls. Mother Rikissa uses her position to isolate and punish Cecila, but Cecilia might just have a few plans of her own in the making. As Cecilia uncovers the threads of intrigue that led to her exile, she is more determined than ever to right past wrongs. Living separately, Arn and Cecilia both carry each other in their hearts. Will they survive their exile and twenty years of exile to be together?
In the second book the Crusades trilogy, Jan Guillou skips over Arn's rise within the Templar order. The novel begins with a dramatic opening of Saladin and Arn's chance encounter told from Saladin's point of view, a point of view that sets the tone for the rest of the book. Arn and Saladin discuss philosophy and religion. Arn is a man deeply devoted to his religion and his cause, yet he also knows the Koran and the other side. Rather than demonizing the enemy, he has a keen sense of understanding and respect for his opponent. Although the author's controversial biography clearly indicates a political bias, in this novel, the author accomplishes what so few can do with such a controversial medieval topic as the Crusades. He develops both sides of the divide with a wonderful richness and depth without resorting to the kinds of simplistic caricature often seen. Both men are devout. Both men have an honest depth in their religious devotion and their religious commitment. Both men have a profound sense of honor. In contrast to these men, the more fanatical of both groups are seen for their failings, either their senselessness, unthinking bravado, or their corruption. Indeed, the battle scenes are all the more rich and exciting on account of the author's development of the characters and their strategies. A sense of the tragic builds throughout the novel as fate brings these two men together in a war that pits them against one another, keeping a reader on the edge of his/her seat.
Cecilia's story alternates with Arn's adventures. Mother Rikissa is simply wicked, making a wonderful villain and contrast to those characters whose devotion is genuine. Those unfamiliar with the medieval world may find some of her tactics shocking but to those familiar with some of the period's extremes, her character brings a sense of authenticity as well as dramatic suspense to the story. Cecilia's friendships with other scapegoats in the convent reveal her generosity, her ingenuity, and her daring of character. Cecilia's battle against Mother Rikissa is just as suspenseful as Arn's. One reinforces the other. Like Arn, now Cecilia moves from a place of innocence and naivete to that of a more mature and accomplished woman.
THE TEMPLAR KNIGHT is an exquisite installment in this medieval epic heroic trilogy. Again, Jan Guillou incorporates the history of the time with the literary themes of arms, religion and romance so loved by medieval literature enthusiasts. Lovable characters become even more lovable. The second installment develops the details of the plotting behind Arn and Cecilia's separation. Whereas the first book, THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM, focused on Arn's youth and innocence, here in THE TEMPLAR KNIGHT, readers see the hero as a mature man in the midst of his accomplishments. Although each book can be read as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading both books together. Although different in tone, together, these two books build the sweeping epic tone of trilogy. One book is not just a rehash of the other. The emotional tone of each varies, the hero' and heroine's age and vision change, and history itself moves forward. Once again, the translator has done an excellent job rendering this story into flowing English and expertly handling the dramatic changes in point of view. Medievalist or not, if you love tales of arms, religion and romance, this trilogy is not to be missed. If, like me, you love all things medieval, THE TEMPLAR KNIGHT and its predecessor THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM, are absolute must reads. Outstanding! This reader eagerly awaits the too far off final installment!
Courtesy of Medieval Book Reviews/Book Illuminations
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing, December 1, 2009
If you enjoyed the first book "The Road to Jerusalem" you will absolutely love the second book "The Knight Templar". It's filled with action, history, and philosophy. I don't need to provide a summary of the book, I think enough people have already done that. However, I am happy to report the third book "Birth Of The Kingdom" is now available.
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