Company of Liars

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I have to say that I liked the book in general, so sorry in advance for the thoughts about historical fiction that keep bothering me from time to time. I wanted to get them in the writing, and even thought the critique is partly inspired by this book, I mean it more in general. I want to leave you with a quote and I think an important antidote to the internalized shame that many of us carry : In this extraordinary novel, Karen Maitland delivers a dazzling reinterpretation of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales—an ingenious alchemy of history, mystery, and powerful human drama. I agree. I don't think I would have liked the book as much if it had had a happy ending which is what it looked like it was going to do. Ellis keeps us in suspense and curious about Pagone, mostly by having us see her involvement in plots and crimes through the eyes of determined FBI agent Jane McCoy. There’s also enough high-level corruption to keep a roomful of paranoid investigators busy.

Company of Liars by Karen Maitland | Waterstones

We had taken her for granted until she was no longer there, like an ancient tree you don't truly see until it is felled, and then only from the empty space in the sky do you suddenly grasp its stature.” Undeniably, “Company of Liars” has a fairy tale foundation with recognizable elements (trolls, witches, wolves) but on an adult level (for example: robbers living under bridges that collect tolls --- clear a troll). Again though, don’t expect a fantasy novel as “Company of Liars” is certainly not that; but there are subtle hints of childhood tales from the dark side. This tale is set in the year AD 1348, and the Great Plague is ravaging throughout the land, and making people flee towards hopefully healthier and safer places to live.Todos con sus vidas presentes y pasadas. Todos con secretos inconfesables que irán saliendo a relucir a medida que la desgracia se vaya cebando sobre ellos. Una desgracia que, aparte de la peste, conlleva la forma de hombre lobo que los persigue y los atemoriza cuando la oscuridad se cierne sobre sus cabezas. Except that that isn't how this book went at all. It did start off with a bang (no pun intended), but from there it just kept getting better and better. The character development at no point overwhelmed the pace, but rather added to it. For example, at one point I thought a character was irredeemably stupid - but by the end it turned out that there was an extremely good reason. And the twists - oh boy - did they ever keep coming. And unlike the Jason Kolarich series, I did not see most of them coming at all. This was a wonderful, unusual, engrossing, compelling book that was so well written, I couldn’t put it down. It has an intriguing cast of characters, about each of whom you learn through the story and through the stories they tell. Each has a secret that is revealed through the story. The narrator, Camelot the relic trader, has a wonderful voice and is the steady core of the group. I did like that the books characters aren’t the titled or wealthy, but neither are they farmers or peasants, but travelers without a constant base. The distinctive roles provide a real richness and tension to the story. The suspense is very well done. With each death the tension rises. But don’t expect this to be your usual murder mystery. It’s a story about secrets and lies, and we’re dealing with the Middle Ages here.

Company of Liars (Audio Download): Karen Maitland, David Company of Liars (Audio Download): Karen Maitland, David

Infelt it was so predictable that narigorm was the curse. So predictable that i began to wonder was the answer going to be something completely different. In this extraordinary novel, Karen Maitland delivers a dazzling reinterpretation of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales—an ingenious alchemy of history, mystery, and powerful human drama. This novel vividly evokes the landscape of 14th-century England without putting too many 21st-century interpretations on actions and events." - Library Journal. The novelist who commits suicide is Allison Pagone, likely to be convicted of the murder of her lover, Sam Dillon, a partner in a lobbying firm with Allison’s ex-husband. But her death isn’t all it seems. It was murder, made to look like a suicide. The killer? A Pakistani terrorist who has a plot—or two or three—of his own. Unfortunately, “Company of Liars” becomes tedious as the story progresses with the plot being repetitive. This is the premise of the tale and therefore must be accepted but readers searching for a more detailed and multidimensional narrative may find themselves to be disappointed.The books many threads made this more challenging to review, was it a retelling of Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' – yes kind off sort off. Then I settled on it being an enthralling story of mystery and intrigue inspired by Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' but darker. But what is it? I also didn't like Naigorm but I don't think you were supposed to. She was, I thought, the center of the evil in the book. So manipulative like one of the female characters in In the woods. I'm not saying all Medieval people should be depicted as absolute brutes, but in this book there is one particular character (out of 9) who is openly sexist, homophobic and antisemitic, and he is the one depicted as a terribly bad person in general, while most of the others seem pretty open-minded even by today's standards. Sure, we can imagine that there's a very specific set of characters, not representative of the whole population, but then, I don't know, maybe they could meet some of the population? I mean, the majority of my parents' generation are (sadly) pretty sexist and homophobic, but they're not all mustache-twirling, throat-slashing movie villains! For God's sake, my own grandmother thinks that red-haired children are born evil and she is literate and watches TV! In a country governed by fear and superstition, the nine are driven on by the plague and the need to get out of danger. In an effort to avoid danger they constantly move on to new places, but all the time they are haunted by the cry of the wolf which spells out certain death for one of the merry band, in the most violent and savage way. They all heard the wolf because they had all lied, and in that all nine were cursed and would face death unless someone is able to end the curse. Ellis, an Edgar Award-winning novelist, is bound to find more fans with this thrilling novel that holds your attention from end to beginning. You’ll be happy you spent time In the Company Of Liars.

Company of Liars - Wikiwand

There are many cruel men in this world. Men who rob and kill and prey on the weak, but at least they are honest. They do not claim it is God's will. They do not drive a man to despair and say they are doing it out of love for him. If they torture someone it is only in this world; they do not condemn him to hell to be tortured for all eternity. Only the priests and bishops do that.” The author knows Middle Ages well, there are references to real places and customs, also, her settings are usually shabby and gritty, which adds to the atmosphere.Guest Author: Karen Maitland on Inspirations & Influences | The Book Smugglers August 13, 2012 at 2:57 am This is a LLLLLOOOONG book. It took me ages to read it. But there was never a time when my interest plopped or when the base 9 characters who make the "company" didn't leave me wanting more. Each and every one of those 9 was so finely framed and every line of their emotions, core desires, acting out or vocal habits - all those aspects that are covered by the term "personality"- they were THERE. Karen Maitland has a gift for giving us their onus and their spirit. Hannah’s new novel is an homage to the extraordinary courage and endurance of Frenchwomen during World War II.