"He was as fresh as the month of May." - Chaucer
May 6, 2007 7:24 PM Subscribe
Looking for a book - modern fiction, middle ages genre (not a romance novel!)
I'm looking for a book I once read that was set in the Middle Ages, and had a storyline involving (among other things) the life of a peasant family. One of the key scenes was the father getting a splinter stuck in his finger, which then became horribly infected. Cue a gangrenous arm and the poor man dying in a darkened hut. I don't remember much else but the sense of grinding poverty, chilblains, and dirt.
I'm looking for a book I once read that was set in the Middle Ages, and had a storyline involving (among other things) the life of a peasant family. One of the key scenes was the father getting a splinter stuck in his finger, which then became horribly infected. Cue a gangrenous arm and the poor man dying in a darkened hut. I don't remember much else but the sense of grinding poverty, chilblains, and dirt.
Best answer: I'm sorry, this is not the same book, but if you like this sort of thing, Doomsday Book by Connie Willis is really good.
posted by thebrokedown at 8:01 PM on May 6, 2007
posted by thebrokedown at 8:01 PM on May 6, 2007
Response by poster: BLF - I can't recall, but I would guess the latter half of the 20th century.
posted by Liosliath at 8:05 PM on May 6, 2007
posted by Liosliath at 8:05 PM on May 6, 2007
Best answer: Was it The Pillars of the Earth? It's been a long time since I read this Ken Follet opus but it sounds similar. And, it's a great epic read.
posted by longsleeves at 8:36 PM on May 6, 2007
posted by longsleeves at 8:36 PM on May 6, 2007
Response by poster: Longsleeves, that little excerpt on Amazon seems familiar, I think you may have it!
I'll run over to the bookstore tomorrow and check it out. Woo!
posted by Liosliath at 8:44 PM on May 6, 2007
I'll run over to the bookstore tomorrow and check it out. Woo!
posted by Liosliath at 8:44 PM on May 6, 2007
Best answer: Dorothy Dunnetts Lymond Chronicles are the bomb. The first one is called The Game of Kings. You cannot go wrong with those books. Fantastic.
posted by damiano99 at 11:23 PM on May 6, 2007
posted by damiano99 at 11:23 PM on May 6, 2007
I'm seconding Pillars of the Earth. What a great read that was and still is my of my favourite books. Even if it's not the book you're looking for you should have a go at it.
posted by LunaticFringe at 6:00 AM on May 7, 2007
posted by LunaticFringe at 6:00 AM on May 7, 2007
Best answer: Was it The Clerkenwell Tales?
Also second The Doomsday Book.
posted by media_itoku at 8:05 AM on May 7, 2007
Also second The Doomsday Book.
posted by media_itoku at 8:05 AM on May 7, 2007
Response by poster: Well, I'm done with The Pillars of the Earth, and it wasn't the right book, though it was a great read.
I'll try The Clerkenwell Tales next - I don't think that's it, based on the excerpt...but no matter, these are great recommendations anyway.
posted by Liosliath at 6:04 AM on May 8, 2007
I'll try The Clerkenwell Tales next - I don't think that's it, based on the excerpt...but no matter, these are great recommendations anyway.
posted by Liosliath at 6:04 AM on May 8, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 7:49 PM on May 6, 2007