Title: The Bramble and the Rose: A Historical Novel
Author: Sanford Leffler
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-1-5320-1562-5
Pages: 278
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reviewed by: John Murray
Pacific Book Review
The Bramble and the Rose by Sanford Leffler is the epic and well-researched retelling of the historical legend of Tristan and Isolde, the original star-crossed lovers. In medieval Britain, the country finds itself constantly at war. Be it the Irish, the Germans, or a number of smaller tribes. During this time of tumultuous upheaval, a child is born to the queen of Lyonesse. The queen lay dying but manages to command that her son be raised in secrecy. Tristan grows up not knowing his true lineage but is trained in the ways of the warrior, morality, and politics by his guardian/father Rohalt. Defeating the man who usurped his true father’s throne, finally Tristan ascends to rule Lyonesse. Wounded in battle, King Tristan journeys to Ireland to receive care from the legendary healer Princess Isolde. What follows is an epic love story filled with danger, intrigue, and escalating tension between two nations.
Tristan and Isolde are one of the most influential tragic romances in literature. It was inspired by Celtic legend but has some grounding in historical records. The Bramble and the Rose aims at creating a cohesive narrative and does so wonderfully. The story revolves around Tristan and Isolde but also fleshes out the world. This gives the story an epic feel that remains firmly in the people living through these trying times.
The dialogue can be a bit heavy-handed at times, with the tags repeating what the character already expressed in dialogue. Additionally, often the story veers into info- dumps and textbook-like descriptions. This is most identifiable in the first few paragraphs of certain chapters, as these paragraphs tend to be very condensed recaps of what transpired between the end of previous chapter and the start of the current one.
The Bramble and the Rose is a historical novel with an ambitious scope. The story chronicles the entire life of Tristan but not so much of the Princess Isolde. Much of the country’s ups and downs serve as backdrops to the romance that blossoms, burns, but never seem to fade between the two lovers. Fans of historical fiction and romance will find something worthwhile in this well-researched look at the legend that inspired most of Western literature’s romantic icons.
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