The Tudor era is one of my special interests, and, with Reginald Pole being a character I find particularly fascinating, I'd hoped to love this book. Though it is historically accurate, and provides points of view which are quite enriching to a broad picture of the time, I found the style of writing and plot to be rather boring.

What a beautiful book! Beckett paints a rich portrait of Reformation England, giving the reader rare and valuable insights into the interior realms of monastic life. I found it both elegant and moving. I wish I was still reading it for the first time!

Like the previous reviewer articulated this book truely weaves fictional and historical events to create a beautiful book which conveys the sadness of a world torn apart by religion and politics. Both Catholics and Protestants are presented with their strengths and warts and the complicated political and social factors involved in the reformation/counter reformation and eventual Anglican independence, are presented to help expalin how this tragic moment of history happened. May also give us the insight to prevent denominational squabbles that exist today if the message of the book are meditated on.

This is a good book so far as it goes. It's a bit dry, but if you are sufficiently interested in the material than you should be able to get through it OK.

The book is divided into sections about Wagner's source material, a history of Parsifal performances, a musical commentary, a discussion of the critical reactions to Parsifal from Wagner's time to the present, and a proposed interpretation. In the "interpretation" section, the author argues that Parsifal must be interpreted as a religious work.

I was disappoined with the book, because I was expecting a more detailed interpretation (for example, what actually happens in Act II of Parsifal?)

The book is interesting, but was not quite what I was looking for. However, the chapter on Wagner's source material is a necessary prerequisite on forming your own opinion of this work, so those of you still grappling with this opera should consider purchasing this book.

I have found the book highly fascinating. It not only gives you a fair deal on the story itself - additionally it provides a huge amount on background information to Wagner, the history of the play, the story behind the story...

Particularly the parts about the origination of the theme of Parsifal is well researched and worth reading.