The Days of Bruce Vol 1

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A very romantic look at a period of Scots history which never struck me as particularly romantic, albeit it\'s bang in the Middle Ages. This novel suffers from a "double hero" syndrome - the one we learn to identify with is summarily dispatched half way through, and an earlier candidate is brought back as a rather predictable knight in disguise. Necessarily, then, we also have two heroines, the earlier of whom, Agnes, is quite well-drawn, and the latter of whom, Isoline, gets very short shrift indeed until the last few chapters. The story is carefully not completely anti-English (what nationality is Aguilar, anyhow?): the Duke of Gloucester and his wife are particularly flatteringly portrayed. It makes a good romantic read; a good tale of "chivalry in the olden days", but somehow this version of the Robert the Bruce I learned about in school is too soft in the middle, too mannerly, too full of finer feelings. Hero, yes, but knight in shining armour? As for Nigel the hero of the first half (ostensibly R.B.\'s brother), he has nothing to do with common mortals at all. But for all my negative comments, I enjoyed this book tremendously; it had some good, sentimental moments in it, was well-shaped within the limitations imposed by the 2-hero rift, and was altogether superior, I thought, to a great many of today\'s historical novels. "One of the more well written books I have read, with unbelievable, edge of your seat, breathtaking, plot twist and exploits. I highly recommend this book to history affeciananos, book lovers, and adventure seekers everwhere!" Excerpt from The Days of Bruce: He knows it not; for, sixteen years my senior, he has ever held me as a child taking little heed of his wayward course; and yet my heart has throbbed beneath his word, his look, as if he were not what he seemed, but would--but must be something more." "I ever thought thee but a wild enthusiast, gentle Nigel, and this confirms it. Mystery, aye, such mystery as ever springs from actions at variance with reason, judgment, valor--with all that frames the patriot. Would that thou wert the representative of thy royal line; wert thou in Earl Robert\'s place, thus, thus would Alan kneel to thee and hail thee king!" "Peace, peace, thou foolish boy, the crown and scepter have no charm for me; let me but see my country free, the tyrant humbled, my brother as my trusting spirit whispers he shall be, and Nigel asks no more."