“There is a philosophical depth to the novel. . . one of the strengths of Merle’s novels [is] his ability to evoke the feeling and texture of everyday life as well as high politics. . . [The Brethren] has a credibly human solidity, and whets one’s appetite for the next volume, “City of Wisdom and Blood,” which will be published in the fall.” — The Wall Street Journal
“One of the many delights vouchsafed by Robert Merle’s
The Brethren is the sense that the author is astonished that what he’s writing about actually happened. . . If there is a pattern to the narration—a dependable vacillation between personal exploit and public machination—the chronicle is also seductively contorted, with adventures sowed into other adventures. . . Pierre, then, is the human demilitarized zone separating his mother and father. His voice can be self-congratulatory though also generous and gently philosophical, reminiscent at moments of Merle’s colleague Sartre. . . Feudal life can hardly seem more vivid than when Merle leaves the religious war to describe, through a smart translation by T. Jefferson Kline, a soul-strengthening day of haymaking or the swagger of a barrel-chested wet nurse with ‘milk for sale.’ Merle the English teacher repeatedly bows to Shakespeare. . . [
The Brethren] is wise and audacious, constantly nudging up against the extraordinary.”
— The New York Times Book Review
“The compelling first in a series of French historical novels, deftly translated and published for the first time in English. Château Mespech is a fiefdom relentlessly imperiled by the weather, Gypsy bandits, royal and religious duplicity, and the plague . . . Merle peoples his tale with memorable characters: villains, maids, legionnaires and townsfolk . . . Merle’s is a French epic, more genteel than Dickens’ poor-child English tales and less doleful than Tolstoy’s Russian sagas.” –– Kirkus Reviews
“Swashbuckling historical fiction… For all its philosophical depth [
The Brethren] is a hugely entertaining romp… The comparisons with Dumas seem both natural and deserved and the next 12 instalments [are] a thrilling prospect.”
— Guardian “A vivid novel by France’s modern Dumas… [there is] plenty of evidence in the rich characterisation and vivid historical detail that a reader’s long-term commitment will be amply rewarded.”
— Sunday Times “Cleverly depicts France’s epic religious wars through the intimate prism of one family’s experience. It’s beautifully written too.”
— Metro. “We’re swept away by triumph, tragedy, action and adventure… It’s a novel like this that makes reviewing one of the best jobs in the world.”
— The Book Bag, Five Star Review “Historical fiction at its very best… The second instalment cannot be published too soon.”
— We Love This Book “A Sprawling, earthy tale of peril, love, lust, death, dazzling philosophical debate and political intrigue… an engrossing saga.”
— Gransnet “A master of the historical novel.”
— Guardian “A spectacular evocation of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century France.”
— Independent Advance Praise from Europe: “His readers appreciate his recipe for writing that is as political as it is entertaining.”
— Deutschlandfunk “Be warned: even just a few pages can lead to addiction.”
— Neckar-Tauber Trend “With much wit, irony and a knack for juicy details, [Merle] brings alive his country’s history.”
— Literatur-Report “For fans of historical fiction, The Brethren is a delight to savour.”
— Thüringer Allgemeine “Thrilling! Robert Merle rides his novel at full tilt across a richly eventful period of history.”
— Le Magazine Littéraire “Robert Merle is one of the very few French writers who have attained both popular success and the admiration of critics.”
— Le Figaro “A wonderful, colourful, breathlessly narrated historical panorama.”
— Zeitpunkt “Breathes new life into the classic adventure story and great historical epic.”
— Les Nouvelles Littéraires “France’s greatest popular novelist.”
— Le Monde “The Dumas of the twentieth century.”
— Neues Deutschland
QUICK VIEW
