A classic of the historical fiction genre!

books:

	• In a Dark Wood Wandering/a Novel of the Middle Ages Hella S. Haasse Academy Chicago Publishers, 1991 - 594 pages average customer review:based on 20 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A classic of the historical fiction genre!

I was delighted to see this book is still in print and available in paperback. It is a novel of the life of Charles of Orleans, his life, his ladies and his loves. It is also a spiritual journey, and focuses on the inner development of the soul so often ignored in historical novels. As authentic, colorful, and captivating as a living medieval tapestry, I never fail to be impressed at the research that went into this superb book. And yet it flows effortlessly and does not fail to entertain and inspire. Many historical characters make an appearance, including Jeanne d'Arc. One is totally in touch with Charles' poet's heart, so brave, so easily wounded, and ultimately, so wise. I recommend this novel without reservations. It is everything historical fiction should be!

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A treasure-find

I came across this book in a thrift shop offering a 3-for-1 deal. I had nothing else for the third book so I just picked it up. Its shabby condition put me off, and it gathered dust for several months.

When I finally got down to reading it, I felt like a found a gold mine. It is not something an ordinary person can finish in one sitting and it was a real pain to have to put it down. I had near-hits and missed turns because my mind drifted back to the novel while driving. I therefore decided to take a day off from work just to finish the book.

Charles d'Orleans' story is sad, and the beautiful writing wraps that sadness on to the reader. Even as I write this review I can feel the lump in my throat. Yet, there is no suffocation and only a feeling of being kindled by the fire of the human spirit. Subtly, the book displays the triumph of integrity, courage, and love.

This is clearly storytelling at its finest.

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An excellent historical novel

During the Second World War, the German Army occupied the Netherlands. They demanded University students a loyalty declaration towards the Nazis ideas. Those that did not do it were excluded. One of those students was Hella S. Haase, who had been born in Java. She took advantage of the situation and created this historical novel. It is one of the best in this genre. A very, very good one, as Memoirs of Hadrian or I, Claudius or Julian.
An exciting time comes to life again: XVth century in France, the Hundred Year war... A very thrilling history if you love History. France was never so delicious and fascinating. England or the Netherlands never more cold and undesirable. An impressive fresco about the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Rennaisance and the great kingdoms od Europe.
Characters are not flat, but full of life, with their contradictions, defects and virtues. The main character is Charles of Orleans, a very noble man, gradson of a King, nephew to anothe, and father of a third one. He belonged to the Royal Family of the Valois, so he was in the middle of political intrigues, battles, treason,... He tried to be loyal to his family and the country. The lesson of his life could be that loyalty sometimes brings a great suffer.
Around him, magnificent kings, as the the cold and ruthless Henry V, poor Charles VI the Mad, the charming Rene d'Anjou, who really had nothing to do with the non-existent Priory of Sion... Dark queens as Queen Isabeau of Baviere, ambitious people like Louis, Duke of Orleans, John, Duke of Burgundy, the Fearless, and sometimes you find a moment or two with reach supporting actors as Joan of Arc, Dunois, the [...] of orleans, christine of Pisan or François Villon.
You will find nothing about sects, templarians, esoteric mysteries or all that nonsense that has lately spoiled the best effords in the genre.
You could read a good historical essay about the same time: The Autumn of the Middle Ages, wrote by Johan Huizinga. Or the literature of the time, specially the poetry by François Villon.

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meticulously researched historical epic

This book was amazing. I read that the author has been interested in this subject since childhood. I can believe it!! It was written about 50 years ago in Dutch and has never been out of print!!

The story follows Charles of Orlean back in the 1400s. The book, epic in scope, gives you quite the detailed information on all things political in France from mad King Charles to all the nobels around him jostling for power. It follows Charles' father, Louis until his untimely death, to Charles become Duke and then political hostage in England during the 100yrs war. I found that aspect of the book quite excellent. I did feel that the novel was not an engrossing read. I felt like I was reading more of a nonfiction book than one of fiction. I still enjoyed the historical information, but that was why it only recieved 4 stars.

Recommended to history buffs or anyone wants more information on medieval France.

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Lyrical

This is a fictionalized biography of Charles of Valois, Duke of Orleans, a French nobleman who spent 25 years of his life held captive for ransom in England following his capture at the historic battle of Agincourt. This book is not so much about plot as about Charles' internal landscape. More a poet than a man of government, Charles is used as a catspaw by the various kings and politicos whose efforts to achieve their own agendas underlie the events narrated. Driven by the promise made to his mother on her deathbed to avenge his father's murder, Charles' powerlessness over events and attempts to fulfill his vow as well as find some inner contentment are beautifully depicted and lyrically recounted. This book is beautifully written and the fact of its translation into English from Dutch is in no way a hindrance to the grace and rhythm of the narrative. I found the recurring references to the "forest of long awaiting" to be evocative and moving as Charles struggles to "keep the faith" through years of exile and frustration. The final description of his release from the forest is one of the lovliest passages I have read. There is satisfaction, too, in knowing that Charles' son was destined to become Louis XII, King of France. Apart from a few slow passages (there seem to be endless plots and jockeying for position among the squabbling factions), I found this book to be eloquent and moving. Recommended.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4

In this novel, set in the 15th century during the Hundred Years War between France and England, Hella Haasse brilliantly captures all the drama of one of the great ages of history.

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