The first time I read this book I hated it; someone had given it to me to write a review and I couldn't say anything good, so I didn't write one. The second time I read it was after reviewing all of Gibbon's Decline and Fall..still caught up in the mood of how horribly we Christians became just as jaded-persecutory as those who had persecuted us. So, thus caught up, I noticed that what REALLY got to everyone in Rome was kinda like what happened to the Laodiceans -- been there, done that, what's the new pleasure now.

Haasse captures it perfectly. I couldn't put the book down, couldn't sleep. History books, even eloquent ones like Gibbon and Mommsen, can't give you the LIVING flavor of the time. But that's Haasse's specialty, I just learned. Enjoy! Oh -- and don't ask me to give you my free copy of her book (from years ago). I will take it to my grave!

The ONLY reason I didn't give it 5 Stars is that I wanted the novel to be longer. But, given it's about Rome, like with Greek plays the action has to take place over a day (or two). Alas...

This was my first enconter with Hella Hasse. The psicological development of the personages and plot, made this book exiting to me. The texture of the story and the development of the characters, in their relationship to the central figure is well done and mantains the readers attention and exitement. Although, this is a historical period which I've enjoyed encountering in my reading, this is the first time that I look at it as a personal experience. The tensions brought about by Chritianity becoming the official religion of the Roman empire are well put forward and are given a reality not found in my other readings on the subject. Now my problem, is to find the time to read all her historical novels. A very enjoyable experince for a historical novel reader like me, who also devotes time to reading history.

If you are interested in learning about the realities of the French court in the Middle Ages, this book is for you. Haasse does an excellent job at writing about life in the Middle Ages. It is obvious that the research involved great detail. Your lesson about the Middle Ages involves its key players. Just a few of the chacters include the French king Charles VI, the Duke of Orleans and the Duke of Burgundy, as well as members of their families. If that is not enough for you, there is also the English kings Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V. Most histories are very dry reading, that is why this work of historical fiction is so important to read. You learn about the Middle Ages in the most fascinating way while reading the words from Haasse's hand

Written in 1949 this novel has lost nothing of its freshness and sensitivity and enjoyes a renewed interest these days as historical novels and non fiction history (see Europe: a history by Norman Davies) are quickly gaining market share. Is this a "fin du siecle" mentality? "In a Dark Wood Wandering"Hella Haase recalls the history of Charles of Orleans, Duke of Orleans. a long and tragic life in turbulent times. The cast of characters is enormous, the Kings of France and Engeland, the Popes (you had several at the time), the Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire and last but not least the Dukes of Burgundy. All are involved in high level politics, alliances were made and as easily broken. The major characters are drawn very carefully and with much sensitivity and give you a feeling of familiarity.If Norman Davies gives you the facts in an excellent manner, Hella Haase gives you the emotions and feelings.And that's why we read, isn't it?

I believe I am an average person with average intelligence...I don't usually choose books that are so difficult and challenging as this one but I am very happy that I did and that I stuck with it. I read the reviews here before starting and am thankful for the advice to "hang in there" through the first 50-100 pages; definitely the most difficult part of the book. After that I was hooked!

The storytelling here is wonderful and spellbinding! I found myself within the pages and deeply involved within the characters lives. After finishing the book I wanted to learn more and actually researched online some of the main characters (since so much of the book is based on fact).

Definitely give this story a chance, give your brain a challenge and keep a dictionary nearby if need be, but do it. I believe you won't regret it!

I had high hopes for this novel when I began it. I am an avowed fan of good historical fiction (Dorothy Dunnett, for example), and a novel about the Borgias seemed promising. The promise doesn't play out in this particular book. The mystery of the main character's parentage is never really resolved. The background of the Borgias is murkily drawn. There are some good things -- the writing about the courtesan Tullia is fascinating -- but overall the experience is one of anticipation for something that never arrives.

It was a puzzled book but fun because i got to read about other histriola peple