BOOK REVIEW : Road to Jerusalem

THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM
Author: Jan Guillou
Pages : 833
Publisher: Harper Collins
Price:Rs 250

If you are interested in reading a historical thriller with a refreshing perspective on twelfth century religion and society in Sweden, then the aptly named 'The Road to Jerusalem'(The Crusades trilogy)will surely keep you engrossed in the pages.

The story spins round Arn De Gothia who would become a great crusader. Arn the second son of a rich landowner, falls to his apparent death as a youngster but is revived after much praying by his parents. They see their son's survival as a sign that their son is special, and is later sent to a monaster to pursue his education. Under the tutelage of a former Knight Templar, he undertakes scholarly lessons.Finally he ends up being a superb swordsman,a natural fighter and an excellent swordsman. Even his monastery superiors began to think that this was not the place to which god was calling him.
His release from cloistered life of the monastery to the world outside was not easy and his innocence and strength propelled him into remarkable difficulties. His country was at war,rival families including his own were striving for the crown-and no one had expected him ever to emerge from the monastery to claim his heritage. Drinks,women and warfare were all intoxicating,but the penalties imposed for transgressing rules were fierce,in his case,banishment to join Knights Templar.
The tapestry of scenes woven by Guillou's makes us understand life in the Nordic lands, in particular the changing relationships among the clans, the church's role and the politics in general of the time. For me, Arn is a strong lead character who holds the story line together,and the support cast enhances the deep look into Swedish medieval society while also propelling the plot forward.
As you turn the pages,you will appreciate the finer nuances of the society portrayed by Guillou. Arn's life in the monastery was depicted beautifully in the discussions between him and Father Henri. The poignant scene when Arn is about to become a Templar is evident in the lines- “For God and death to all Saracens!” As Father Henri says, “God's children are select, and just as they do not include the thralls (servants) who worship their pagan gods so too can they never include the Saracens, whoare the most nefarious race that the Devil has put on our earth. They are not human beings, they are devils in human form,”according to Father Henri.
Though the novel captivates you, I found the pacing of the novel too slow as one scene unfolds to the other. Arn does not truly become the main character until well into the book, and the first one hundred-fifty or so pages are devoted to setting up the story, and action is minimal, with many scenes devoted to theological discussions between Arn and his elders. At times, it feels as if Guillou is telling the reader what happened, rather than letting the reader experience events through the character, thus subtly distancing the reader on an emotional level.On the positive side, Guillou masterfully immerses the reader in the historical context. The attention to details both great and small, and the plots and machinations make for an intriguing tale. If you enjoy a story unreeled at a leisurely pace, I recommend The Road to Jerusalem.