Labyrinth

When clowns like Richard and Judy recommend a book to the masses then look what happens. A lot of people completely out of their literary depth buy the book expecting an easy read. Hence the ranks of the confused reviewing this book. here is my take on it. Firstly, if you know the occitan region and have been there often then you are far more likely to enjoy this book because the feel of the book and the descriptions are often far too subtle and that is why many got lost with it. It was recommended to me not as a shallow by-the-pool novel but as a clever multi-layered story. Its not going to win the booker prize but its not badly written by any standards. Characters are well explored and the plot structure always solid but it does suffer from patches of delusional credibility but only because the story dances a fine line between reality and fantasy. Its a hard task to pull off but for me it just about pulled it off. I was going to give it four stars but then I thought again, no for me this was a terrific tale and it made me want to read the sequel. Which I did.

I was on a motorcycle trip to the South of France when I first saw the magnificent medieval walled city of Carcassonne. I could not resist a visit. I'm glad I did, as it helped me understand Kate Mosse's fascination with this unforgettable place.My visit was the main reason for reading Labyrinth, but I was also intrigued by the story of how the book was picked up as a book of the week on the 'Richard and Judy' TV show, (praised by guest reviewers Carol Thatcher and Bettany Hughes), and became an instant number one, and an international multi-million best seller.I found it took perseverance to follow the complex dual time format, but worth the effort as the story picks up pace and we start to care about the characters, particularly Alais. I wondered if the dual time device, with inept police was really necessary, as the story of Alais and her father was strong enough to support the narrative.By the time I reached chapter 69, (which is taken up with one character explaining the complicated plot to another), I felt as if I'd been following a labyrinthine path which could lead nowhere, but Kate Mosse delivers at the end, and I will be reading the next book in the series.I recommend reading the end notes, as I particularly liked the guided tour of Carcassonne, illustrated with pictures of locations used in the book, as well as the questions for reading groups.Tony Riches

I read this years ago and managed to loose my copy. So i bought a new copy just to read it again.Lots of French language and culture peppered throughout but not so much to put anyone off. A very good strong and engaging plot.In my opinion the best book by this author.

I do not want to get into comparisons with the Da Vinci Code here, though this is the better of the two in terms of literary style. This is a good read - not 'unputdownable', as others have found, but equally not boring either. It's a good, clever yarn, told with detail and feeling, and there is some depth (but not too much) to the characters.I have been to Carcassonne, so can vouch for the bulk of the architectural and topographical detail; and I have also read much about the Cathars and the Albigenian Crusade, and again the author has stuck close to historical fact. But, whilst the context and much of the story is - to me, at least - innovatory, I cannot help feel that Daphne du Maurier had already tried her hand many years ago in this genre in her novel The House on the Strand.So why not more stars? Well, there are odd moments in the book where description and plot is either contradictory or incredible (in its true meaning). There are not many examples, but enough to cause me to doubt what I had just read, and to return to check that what I had read is what had been written. Two examples: for the first, the contradictory aspect, in chapter 77 Alice mentions that Audric had said the others would not come until after dark, indicating that it was then still light, but only a few lines later she says they could have come when it was still light! And for the second, unbelievable aspect, right at the beginning (chapter 1) Alice dislodges a boulder that uncovers a cave entrance five feet high and three feet wide! Some boulder: it must have been bigger than the average human! Is such a boulder to be dislodged so easily by the actions of her archaeological trowel?But overall, this book is neither so special nor so bad: it's at the better end of escapist literature, and takes its place in a long and fine tradition of parallel time-travelling narratives.

Brilliant!

This is two stories in one book which explains the length of the book. I loved the history but the story doesn't match up to the author's knowledge and understanding of the period and the area she's dealing with. In a less well researched novel the rather unbelievable plot would have probably been acceptable but this novel appeals to two different types of reader - the historically hungry and the nailbiting plot lover. I felt like the plot was written so it could be filmed as a blockbuster with special effects aplenty but no thought was given as to the credibility of the plot. There wasn't much reason for there to be a Labyrinth - the books were the main focus of the novel. The Grail connection was dubious.Having said all that, I too stayed up into the wee hours to power through the last 200 pages. It was well written and well researched. Ms Mosse just needs to have one of the huge group of friends and colleagues given a place in her Acknowledgements ask searching questions about her next plot to keep her focussed on where her story comes from - the premise of the book, whatever that might be.

Todavía no lo termino, pero me tiene al borde de mi silla. Muuuuuy bueno, muy recomendable.

Liked the condition of the book. May be an old edition but in perfect condition. And good delivery too.

Excellent book I read it 4 times , I have been in Carcassonne many years ago, i lost all those history

the author has obviously done her research. Even the patois is cotrectly spelt. A great read with a strong sense of place & time.

Written with great depth, clever structure and fascinating detail. Feeling you are there with the characters, sharing their hopes, dreams and disappointments is down to the skill of the writer and she has that in bucket loads.