Book Review: Saint Peter’s Fair (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #4) by Ellis Peters
(Four Stars)
“The manifold gifts of God are those to be delighted in, to fall short of joy would be ingratitude.”
Better with each reading. I discovered Cadfael twenty years ago. I have read each book at least twice since as well as watched all thirteen Mystery! episodes. Though they have some merit, many of the latter turned the originals inside out.
“It’s no blame to men if they try to put into their own artifacts all the colors and shapes God put into his.”
Saint Peter’s Fair is a murder mystery, but it is also an immersion in medieval culture and history, a reflection on the world and man’s place in it, and a romance. Peters weaves all her threads into a fascinating tapestry simultaneously fun and informative. Each book has a background story about medieval history or culture. This one focuses on trade fairs.
“Penitence is in the heart, not in the word spoken.”
Earlier readings left me with the impression that Cadfael was a twentieth century man in monk’s robes, but he is thoroughly a reflection of his time, though he rises above the stereotypes.
“What you see is only a broken part of a perfect whole.”
A good story well told. Mystery Theater (PBS) got this one pretty close to right, which they didn’t always.
As a Matter of Fancy 