In a Dark Wood Wandering by Hella S. Haasse

The writing is rich and well-composed, the dialogue very faithful (presumably) of the era in which the story takes place. A colourful cast of characters that will please even the most demanding readers. Philip the Bold, Isabeau of Bavaria, Isabella of Valois, Jean the Fearless, and of course Charles d’Orléans, his mother Valentina Visconti and none other than Jeanne d’Arc, La Pucelle d'Orléans. Charles VI, le Bien-Aimé, le Fol, one of the most tragic and tormented monarchs in European History. The reader comes across many historical figures that marked the era. When the authors understand this, they do not refrain from offering us a wealth of information. One of the things that excite me in Historical Fiction is that most of us avid fans of the genre are accustomed to lists and lists of family names, dates and facts without being intimidated. The plethora of characters is certain to astonish you in the most positive way. Now, upon finishing this opus, I can say that I enjoyed it -at parts- but there were certain issues that prevent me from classifying it among the best Historical Fiction I’ve ever read. This book by Hella S.Haasse immediately attracted my attention (partly due to its beautiful cover) and it came highly recommended by esteemed Goodreads friends and many members of our community. I’ve always been interested in the period of the Hundred Years' War, the battle between France and England that inspired many stellar moments in Literature and Theatre. For those that believe times have never been worse, haven't lived in the Middle Ages.For anyone seriously interested in the Middle Ages or otherwise loves good historical fiction. It's a world different from ours, but yet human nature remains the same.Reading this puts our modern day political messes in perspective. The pain, frustration, anxiety, and fear of those thrown into the path of history based on their birth is so vividly portrayed.

Crazy King Charles, his bizarre wife Isabeau, the child brides, the haughty Duke of Burgandy, and then throw in Joan of Arc - what a mixture! One can't make that stuff up. There are few fictional characters who can be as memorable as the royalty of England and France. At the same time, the author manages to put life into what textbook simply portray as dry historical characters.

The characters are historically accurate. Reading this is like finishing a hard, sweaty, but very fulfilling workout.The accuracy of this book seems very reliable based on the reference sources that I used in reading it. This is not an easy read (I had to make notes in margins and occasionally refer to a reference), but what a delight.

This is an absolutely fascinating historical trip through the Hundred Years War between France and England.

In a Dark Wood Wandering by Hella S. Haasse