⇒ Descargar The Gallows Curse Karen Maitland 9780718156343 Books

The Gallows Curse Karen Maitland 9780718156343 Books

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The Gallows Curse Karen Maitland 9780718156343 Books

I didn't like this book as much as what remains, in my opinion, Maitland's masterpiece, "Company of Liars". Too many of the characters are mere stereotypes and lack depth. The only interesting figure is the madam, and we end up not knowing too much about her past either. The plot is highly unlikely and somewhat repetitive. I am waiting for a better release by the same author.


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The Gallows Curse Karen Maitland 9780718156343 Books Reviews

Don't waste your time or money on this book. There is nothing authentic or believable in the plot or characters.
I found this book interesting and a good read. However, it is not a light read. It left me feeling sad, because this is not a feel good story. If you are looking for a light read, this is not it. But if you like mystery/ magic, then this is a good read.
Good read. Well thought out. I like medieval mysteries and this is a good one.
Very good historical book
An awesome book that takes you on a tour through the time of John Lackland - about a young village girl with a dark destiny, surrounded by witches, freaks and brutal Norman noblemen. I am not ashamed to use the cliche "unputdownable" because it is!
This is a most unwholesome story. Maitland's other two books, Company of Liars and The Owl Killers were dark yet enjoyable books which were well-plotted and highly atmospheric, original tales. This one is even darker and has the extremely disturbing elements of child prostitution & rape, depraved witchcraft (the spirit of of a mutilated baby is conjured up to wreak mayhem), hints of bestiality - it goes on and on. It's almost a twisted Carson McCullers tale complete with a dwarf, a humunculus of a man with an unnaturally high voice and a caged monk with no hands who is treated like a wild animal. Take your pick of misfits here.

Long story short a girl (Elena) is accused of killing her baby, stands to be hanged but is instead whisked to safety at, of all things, a whorehouse run by a female dwarf, Ma, who is about as reprehensible a character as I've run across in a long time. Elena has come into possession of a mandrake via two witches who have nefarious plans for the poor girl. The mandrake is an entity unto itself and is used in several acts of vengeance against any who would harm the girl or those she loves. It is a convoluted and exasperating journey through the pages of this book, though it did hold my interest.

I personally would have liked a more authentic manner of medieval speech, though I realize that may have made it less accessible to the modern reader. Maitland does have a marvelous gift for storytelling and this book is set against the backdrop of King John's merciless reign in the 1100's, where priests are cast out and Catholic practices forbidden. She does a great job of evoking a paranoid and superstitious medieval society. But this book meandered off the path too much for me and was so disturbing that I felt dirty just having read it. So, if you choose to read it, proceed with caution...
I'm not sure any of her books will ever live up to A Company of Liars for me, but this was another solid offering. Typical Maitland in that it is atmospheric, disturbing, includes S&M, is almost impossible to put down, and doesn't exactly end with kittens and rainbows. Great read, though!
I didn't like this book as much as what remains, in my opinion, Maitland's masterpiece, "Company of Liars". Too many of the characters are mere stereotypes and lack depth. The only interesting figure is the madam, and we end up not knowing too much about her past either. The plot is highly unlikely and somewhat repetitive. I am waiting for a better release by the same author.