The Brethren: Fortunes of France: Volume 1, by Robert Merle
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The Brethren: Fortunes of France: Volume 1, by Robert Merle
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Consisting of 13 books written across 26 years, the adventure-filled epic Fortunes of France is one of France's best-loved historical fiction series. Never before published in English, book one, The Brethren, makes its debut in the US in the spring of 2015, followed in the fall by book two, City of Wisdom and Blood.Two veteran soldiers retire to a castle in the wildly beautiful Périgord of sixteenth century France. But the country is descending into chaos, plagued by religious strife, famine, pestilence, bands of robbers... and, of course, the English.In the course of their story we are introduced to a slew of vivid characters, including the fiery Isabelle, mistress of the castle, refusing to renounce her religious beliefs despite great pressure; the petty and meal-mouthed Francois, unlikely heir to the estate; the brave and loyal Jonas who lives in a cave and keeps a wolf as a pet; the swaggering soldier Cabusse; the outrageously superstitious Maligou, and Sarrazine, who once roamed as part of a wild gypsy band.A sprawling, earthy tale of violence and lust, love and death, political intrigue and dazzling philosophical debate, The Brethren is the first step in an engrossing saga to rival Dumas, Flashmanand Game of Thrones.
The Brethren: Fortunes of France: Volume 1, by Robert Merle- Amazon Sales Rank: #133782 in Books
- Brand: Merle, Robert/ Kline, T. Jefferson (TRN)
- Published on: 2015-03-03
- Released on: 2015-03-03
- Original language: French
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 7.77" h x 1.04" w x 5.15" l, .0 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 416 pages
Review
"There is a philosophical depth to the novel. . . one of the strengths of Merle’s novels [is] his ability to evoke the feeling and texture of everyday life as well as high politics. . . [The Brethren] has a credibly human solidity, and whets one’s appetite for the next volume, “City of Wisdom and Blood,” which will be published in the fall." — The Wall Street Journal
"One of the many delights vouchsafed by Robert Merle's The Brethren is the sense that the author is astonished that what he's writing about actually happened. . . If there is a pattern to the narration—a dependable vacillation between personal exploit and public machination—the chronicle is also seductively contorted, with adventures sowed into other adventures. . . Pierre, then, is the human demilitarized zone separating his mother and father. His voice can be self-congratulatory though also generous and gently philosophical, reminiscent at moments of Merle's colleague Sartre. . . Feudal life can hardly seem more vivid than when Merle leaves the religious war to describe, through a smart translation by T. Jefferson Kline, a soul-strengthening day of haymaking or the swagger of a barrel-chested wet nurse with 'milk for sale.' Merle the English teacher repeatedly bows to Shakespeare. . . [The Brethren] is wise and audacious, constantly nudging up against the extraordinary." — The New York Times Book Review"The compelling first in a series of French historical novels, deftly translated and published for the first time in English. Château Mespech is a fiefdom relentlessly imperiled by the weather, Gypsy bandits, royal and religious duplicity, and the plague . . . Merle peoples his tale with memorable characters: villains, maids, legionnaires and townsfolk . . . Merle's is a French epic, more genteel than Dickens' poor-child English tales and less doleful than Tolstoy's Russian sagas." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Swashbuckling historical fiction... For all its philosophical depth [The Brethren] is a hugely entertaining romp... The comparisons with Dumas seem both natural and deserved and the next 12 instalments [are] a thrilling prospect." — Guardian "A vivid novel by France's modern Dumas... [there is] plenty of evidence in the rich characterisation and vivid historical detail that a reader's long-term commitment will be amply rewarded." — Sunday Times "Cleverly depicts France’s epic religious wars through the intimate prism of one family’s experience. It’s beautifully written too." — Metro. "We're swept away by triumph, tragedy, action and adventure… It's a novel like this that makes reviewing one of the best jobs in the world." — The Book Bag, Five Star Review “Historical fiction at its very best… The second instalment cannot be published too soon.” — We Love This Book “A Sprawling, earthy tale of peril, love, lust, death, dazzling philosophical debate and political intrigue… an engrossing saga.” — Gransnet "A master of the historical novel." — Guardian "A spectacular evocation of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century France." — Independent Advance Praise from Europe: "His readers appreciate his recipe for writing that is as political as it is entertaining." — Deutschlandfunk "Be warned: even just a few pages can lead to addiction." — Neckar-Tauber Trend "With much wit, irony and a knack for juicy details, [Merle] brings alive his country's history." — Literatur-Report "For fans of historical fiction, The Brethren is a delight to savour." — Thüringer Allgemeine "Thrilling! Robert Merle rides his novel at full tilt across a richly eventful period of history." — Le Magazine Littéraire "Robert Merle is one of the very few French writers who have attained both popular success and the admiration of critics." — Le Figaro "A wonderful, colourful, breathlessly narrated historical panorama." — Zeitpunkt "Breathes new life into the classic adventure story and great historical epic." — Les Nouvelles Littéraires "France's greatest popular novelist." — Le Monde "The Dumas of the twentieth century." — Neues DeutschlandAbout the Author Robert Merle was born in French Algeria, before moving to mainland France in 1918. A lifelong anglophile, Merle was a professor of English Literature at various universities, translating works including Jonathan Swift's Gullivers Travels into French. After the outbreak of war in 1939 he served as an interpreter with the British Expeditionary Force, and was captured by the German army at Dunkirk, the experience of which served as the basis for his post-war debut Weekend at Zuydcoote. Initially French publishers were wary of this book, put off by its foul language and sexual content, but at the urging of authors including Jean-Paul Sartre and Raymond Queneau it was snapped up by Gaston Gallimard and went on to win the Prix Goncourt. His much-loved Fortunes of France series was published over four decades, from 1977 to 2003, the final volume appearing just a year before his death of a heart attack in 2004.
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Most helpful customer reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful. Great discovery: a lusty, historically accurate series of historical fiction By Antonio I didn't know this extensive series (Fortunes de France) about the life of a doctor and spy in late Valois and early Bourbon France and his son, but I decided to read it because of great reviews in the British press. It was compared to Maurice Druons extraordinary six volume series "The Accursed Kings", about the end of the Capetian dinasty and the beginning of the Hundred Years War, which I loved. This volume deals with the birth and early years of Pierre de Siorac, the protagonist. The Brethren of the title are Jean de Siorac, Pierre's father, and Jean de Sauveterre, two Huguenot soldiers who become bosom friends and decide to treat each other as brothers. The book narrates the ascent of The Brethren, as they buy land and become part of the aristocracy of the Périgord region in France. Against a background of wars with the English and the Spaniards, of civil and sectarian conflicts, of plague and famine, Merle tells a wonderful story of a tightly knit household (besides The Brethren and the children of de Siorac by multiple women it includes various household servants and retainers) enduring prospering. By the end Pierre leaves the family castle to study medicine in Montpellier, accompanied by his half-brother and a servant who is also a close friend. He has loved his father and honored his mother (this dual duty generates much conflict), has known love, sex and loss and is impelled forward by the irresistible high spirits of youth and health. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, En nos vertes années (I don't know the English title). Is it as good as Druon? It's different, not as tightly plotted, more diffuse, but nonetheless great reading.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Good strong historical fiction By J. Hamby Good strong historical fiction. Merle brings a new perspective to a almost over drawn period. Swords and sacraments seem the new niche in historical action fiction. However most that touch on medieval France do so using the English view in any conflicts (in English). Now with the reprinted translation of Druon and its George R R. Martin tie, we get a different take. And Merle is a worthy addition to this narrow (so far) shelf of focus.Merle is solid more than brilliant. He sets up a potentially nice series with this opener that does settle a bit into the flaws first books in series can often show. There is a bit of a build up that can slow things down a little. But it still works quite well.Merle has a bit of a simplistic style that works well and his historical detail is nicely balanced. Rich and yet not pedantic or feels too much of info dropping. There is also something almost fun about the characterization; colorful but engaging. Just enough nuance to counter the bolder than life aspects. Making for a gripping read.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A great read. Interesting characters that I cared about By Aussie Armchair General A great read. Interesting characters that I cared about. The writing always had me wanting to find out what happens next. The historical context of France torn apart by religious differences is fascinating. Can't wait till the next book is translated and available.
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