Book Review: The Pilgrim of Hate (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #10) by Ellis Peters
(Four Stars)
“He saw no reason why he should expect to be singled out for healing, but he said that he offered his pain freely, who had nothing else to give.”
This tale draws us back into an England at war with itself. Death abounds on every hand and yet so does nobility. Cadfael finds himself at the crossroads of faith and duty. As his faith falters, that of another draws him higher.
“People are endlessly mysterious, and I am endlessly curious.”
As usual appearances deceive. Young love muddles allegiances. Cadfael finds unexpected blessing. Oliver de Bretagne appears again.
Quibble: “Henry the first’s daughter” When there is not yet a second king Henry, the first is the only. Ignore Goodreads.com blurb; it’s misleading.
“The least of us may be an instrument of grace, though not by his own deserving.”
Dame Parteger was not a particular defender of Christianity, but she wrote her characters true to the time. All except Cadfael, of course, who is a thoroughly twentieth-century man.
“God forbid, thought Cadfael, that I should meddle there. Nothing short of a saint should knock on that door.”
As a Matter of Fancy 
I generally like these, and just finished several of them, but I AM getting tired of the ‘young love’ meme. It is not done with any subtlety. People switch from black to white, and suddenly all is well. Villains revel themselves – and the beautiful (or just lively and something) young lady dumps them.
Occasionally, yes. But I’m noticing it is, like one chapter of sex in the JD Robb books, an obligatory part. Way too formulaic.