Book Review: Revenge of the Rose by Nicole Galland

I was delighted with Nicole Galland's take on Jean Renart's thirteenth-century poem.  She blended the story into an engaging novel with well-developed characters and a plot-line that made it hard for me to put the book down.  For those of us who are familiar with the original, the charmingly sarcastic Lienor is still there, and so is the gorgeous Willliam of Dole.  Jouglet is there too; only this time, the author lets him stay through the entire story.  In fact, it is through the court minstrel's eyes that the reader is introduced to almost all of the characters.  Galland did not just rewrite the original story in modern language.  She added a few plot twists of her own.  Those whom Renart dismissed with a snap of his fingers or wave of his hand, Galland turns into very sympathetic characters. Even those students or enthusiasts who spent a lot of time with the original will be surprised and delighted by the turn of events, as well as pleased by this picture of medieval life.  You will love the story and it will haunt you for days after you have read the last page (with a smile on your face)!  I look forward to reading Galland's other novels.  She has won herself a dedicated fan--and that is a compliment coming from someone who is a purist when it comes to medieval literature!