Ten years after the aged Baroness Ailena Valaise was turned out of her castle by her son, Guy, Ailena returns from the Holy Land, restored to her youth by a drink from the Holy Grail, and announces her plans to end Guy's reign.
This vivid tale of revenge, faith and love set during the rule of England's Richard I moves from Wales to a tumultuous Europe unsettled by the Crusades to intensely colorful Palestine and back. Arrogant Guy Lanfranc assumes control of the family demesne by sending his hated mother, the old baroness Ailena Valaise, on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Wily Ailena vows revenge and finds the means in the person of Rachel Tibbon, a Jewish girl who survived the butchery of her family and other Jews after Crusader losses. Ailena's plot to regain the castle built by her father is based on Rachel's astonishing resemblence to herself as a young woman; 10 years after her forced departure the baroness returns, claiming the restoration of her youth in a Church-certified miracle. As Ailena, the well-coached Rachel earns the support of her people while locked in a fearsome struggle with Guy and opposed by the castle's priest, who calls the "miracle" a work of the devil and objects to her attempts to change religious practices at the castle. This thoughtful, touching and suspenseful historical novel explores themes of romantic and spiritual love, power, and personal transformation.
Excerpt
The man who greeted them wore a leopardskin mantle over a sinewy body of blue-black skin. From under a dark red headcloth, his austere face gazed impassively. His bright, tapered eyes chilled all who stared at him. He ushered them into his dark hut and lifted a skylight of woven rushes. A silver shaft of daylight illuminated wicker chairs, a floor of tamped earth, and a back wall that was the dirt slope.
The Frankish soldier whom the baroness had hired to accompany them cursed at the sight of the heathen, and Ailena motioned for him to wait outside. She introduced herself in the halting Arabic she had learned from her servants, until the amused magician replied in a spiced but fluent langue d'oc, "I am Karm Abu Selim. Why are you surprised that I speak your language? Your people have occupied this land for more than a century. I have stolen the nightmares from their souls and given them sleep. I have instilled obedient rage in their arms so they could fight without fear. And, when they came back, I dulled their harsh memories of war like a dwindling star, so that the sun of a new day rose in their breasts. With me, longing and pain can be silenced, the voices of the angels made loud. I know the way through the crooked holes in the heart. I know where to find the chances heaven has strewn around us. How may I serve you?"
Professional Reviews
Masterpiece
Kingdom of the Grail is one of my favorite novels. I have just reread it after 20 or so years and I found it just as compelling as the first time I read it as a younger woman. I have given the book 5 stars for the following reasons:
1. I love a good story and this one is fantastical and compelling. I looked forward to reading it each evening and only reluctantly put it down.
2. The story is layered and complex, but not cumbersome or wandering.
3. The characters are coherent and develop plausibly through numerous adventures - maintaining integrity, gaining profound insight and humanity. Even the flawed characters are drawn so we understand their motivation,limits and destructive acts.
4. The protagonist is a successful literary character, both beautiful, tragic, insightful, dynamic, and socially gifted. The minor characters are well drawn, believable and contribute to the banquet that the book is.
5. I appreciate good writing and A. A. Attanasio is a craftsman, historian, descriptive artist, master of details and of cultural and historical locations.
6. The book has deep and profound spiritual currents as major characters grapple with their beliefs and grow when they are challenged by wise, yet foreign views of God.
I marvel that this novel, filled with romance, intrigue, and color was not a best seller.
School Library Journal
The Baroness Valaise has returned. But is it really she who has been transformed by the miracle of the Holy Grail, returning her to her beautiful youth? It is 12th-century Wales, a time of seeking, questing, and battle as she tries to regain the castle and title usurped by her greedy son. This unique story shows many aspects of the period: the lives of the peasants and the knights, religious persecution, superstition, and warfare to name only a few. The characters are unusual individuals grasping for meaning in their lives much as teens today search for their own identity. They represent a contrast from pristine purity to ruthless villainy. A helpful list of family members appears at the beginning.
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