[.ca] In a Dark Wood Wandering (ISBN 0897333365)

Surprisingly excellent:
Though a great medieval enthusiast, I must admit that when I first picked up this book, I seriously doubted I would finish it. However, after I got about 100 pages into it, I truly became hooked. I found I couldn't put the book down and dind't rest until I had finished it. While this book was at times rather dense and challanging, I truly enjoyed it. It is truly a monumental work and while not exactly uplifting or even enjoyable in the usual sense, I am truly glad I read this amazing book.

Sadly Disappointed:
I was very disappointed in this book. Perhaps because of the number of good reviews it received, I had expected something phenomenal. It's a long book, and it covers a great many number of years and key historical events and people. But I can learn that from a history text. As a novel, I expected something more. We follow the House of Orleans, and the plight of France through a short peroid of the Hundred Years War. It is truly an interesting time period, and the author's ability to capture the difficulties of all classes and especially the victims of political maneuvering was very good. But I had no sympathy whatsoever for the main characters... it's true that there are so many players to consider in this piece, but there was really no getting to know any of the characters... except perhaps the "main-main" character Charles, Duke of Orleans. But even he was a bit flat. I already know this time period, so the events were already well-known to me... I figure that if an author is going to take the time to make up dialogue, s/he can do a bit more in trying to build up the characters who execute that dialogue. And although I understand she is covering a great many years, we already know that quantity does not make up for quality. It's just too dry. Sorry to say, I much prefer a history text than this book. It's more concise.

Poet, writer, thinker.:
In a Dark Wood Wandering: A Novel of the Middle Ages by Hella Haasse. Highly recommended. This historical novel has its own interesting history. It was written by a Dutch author virtually unknown in the United States, then an English translation was begun by a postal employee who spoke no Dutch. After his death, it was lost for decades in a closet. The final English translation was completed more than 40 years after the novel was written by a Chicago editor who also spoke no Dutch-but who did have the opportunity to get the author's approval. In a Dark Wood Wandering: A Novel of the Middle Ages is the fictionalized account of the life of medieval poet and statesman Charles d'Orléans, son of Louis d'Orléans and Valentine Visconti, nephew of Charles VI, known as the Mad King or the Well Beloved. The plot is historically accurate and linear, beginning with the time of Charles' birth (although not focusing on it) and using that occasion to fill in the historical and character blanks for the novice to French medieval history. Unlike other reviewers, I found the first 100+ pages a fascinating setting of the stage, during which the author succinctly conveys the familial, personal, and political relationships of France's houses, primarily Burgundy and Orléans. Although it is clear from the outset that Philippe the Bold of Burgundy is the nemesis of a united France and Louis Orléans (his nephew, brother to Charles VI, and father of Charles d'Orléans) is his less selfishly motivated, more trustworthy counterpart, the novel does not fall into the trap of black-and-white villains and heroes. Burgundy and his successors are not evil personified; they are men who know how to look out for their own power. Louis and Charles d'Orléans, both flawed in their occasional lack of will and indecisiveness, in their own way look after themselves, but also attempt to keep France's greater interests in mind. The most poignant moment early on is a conversation between Louis and his insane brother during one of his rare moments of lucidity-and the ensuing reversion of power to Burgundy. Charles is born into not only all the internal conflicts within France and the ongoing battles with England, but into a war he must wage lifelong with himself-the conflict between his poet's soul and his inherited role as a statesman and leader of the House of Orléans. A scholar at heart, he must lead his house against Burgundy and his men against the English at Agincourt, where he is captured. Held prisoner for 25 years in England, Charles uses the time to become one of the leading poets of the Middle Ages, yearning for ideals of love, peace, and beauty-the very things that have escaped him all of his predestined life. He will not find them upon his return to France, as he is once more swallowed by leviathan internal and external conflicts and the need for his skills as a negotiator/arbiter. He is, as he says in one poem, "all rusted over with nonchaloir \ononchalance\c." Finally, he promises he will "not disavow the deepest desires of \ohis\c heart" and "no longer give \ohimself\c up to the sin of unhappiness"-a promise his position, his role, and the demands of political reality never allow him to fulfill. The novel features an array of complex characters and their relationships and interactions, a compelling plot, a fascinating time in the history of England and France, and a spectacular background portrayed in brilliant colours as in a tapestry. Best of all, the novel is meticulously researched and as historically accurate as any fiction can be. Partway through the book, I realised that this novel could, if handled correctly, make a near-perfect epic movie. In a Dark Wood Wandering has inspired me to look into the life and poetry of Charles d'Orléans, the history of Louis d'Orléans and Charles VI, incidental characters such as François Villon and Agnes Sorel, and so much more. For the history buff, the medieval tinkerer, or the person who likes a thoughtful tale, I highly recommend In a Dark Wood Wandering. Let's all be grateful that it was rediscovered at last. Diane L. Schirf, 7 October 2001.

Most challenging but definitely worth it...:
I believe I am an average person with average intelligence...I don't usually choose books that are so difficult and challenging as this one but I am very happy that I did and that I stuck with it. I read the reviews here before starting and am thankful for the advice to "hang in there" through the first 50-100 pages; definitely the most difficult part of the book. After that I was hooked! The storytelling here is wonderful and spellbinding! I found myself within the pages and deeply involved within the characters lives. After finishing the book I wanted to learn more and actually researched online some of the main characters (since so much of the book is based on fact). Definitely give this story a chance, give your brain a challenge and keep a dictionary nearby if need be, but do it. I believe you won't regret it!

Can't decide to keep it or sell it:
As far as readability goes, this book pretty much stinks. The author follows tenaciously the life of Charles D'Orleans, whose father was the brother of King Charles the Mad. Now, most historical fiction that I have read focuses on characters that actually DO something. Napoleon. Louis XIV. Henry VIII. But Charles of Orleans (at least as he is portrayed here) is a spectator of the parade of life. Haase glosses over Joan of Arc and her importance to France's history in just a few paragraphs here and there - giving the basics but not really involving us in Joan's work - while spending chapters and chapters describing Charles' 25-year captivity in England. He sits and stares out windows. He composes poems. He thinks about his brothers and what is happening in France. Why has this book been *wasted* writing about this dreary portion of Charles' life?! The book is lackluster. At points it is strongly written, but most of it was skimworthy. Also, throughout the book various characters make reference to a popular medieval image called "The Forest of Long Awaiting." Many times. Yet the publisher's introduction says that he, Haase and the translator fought over and discarded several possible titles for the English version of the book. In the end they decided on the title used, which is a quote from Dante. Why did they not use "The Forest of Long Awaiting"?? I just don't understand this. "The Forest of Long Awaiting" appears to be very close to the original Dutch title. Why then the long debates with the publisher, author and translator? I'm strongly inclined to get rid of it, but it does cover (however sketchily) a part of European history that I was vague on, so I will probably keep it.