The Fool's Tale: A Novel

Through intricate power plays propelled by wit and sensuality, this page turner furthers the saying that two is company and three is a crowd. The "three," are the King, the Queen, and the Court "Fool." These are well written, complex characters engaged in a tooth and nail power struggle, hell bent on avoiding the personal and social cruelties in being counted the odd one out. Happy to say this novel is a good read that delivers a surprising and powerful end.

I have read and loved all of the historical novels of Edith Pargeter and Sharon Kay Penman, who have written about the people and events of medieval Wales and England. I now add Nicole Galland to my list of favorite authors on my favorite subject, and hope she will continue to turn out more books as readable as THE FOOL'S TALE.

I don't generally read historical romances, so was doubtful when I picked up a pre-publication copy. But this is such a good novel -- filled with fascinating, complex characters; intricate plotting, and a good dollop of suspense and surprise -- that I wish there was a whole new genre term to describe it... something like, "Historical Literary Fiction," or "Libidinous Non-Contemporary Narrative Art." Anyway, it's a terrific read, and will make everybody -- those who read lots of historical fiction, and those who turn up their noses at it -- wonder about what they've been missing. Read it the next time you want to be kept up late, trying to find out what happens next.

This is a great novel about relationships, that just happens to be set in 12th century Wales. It is full of historical details that give a real feel to the time and place, but the importance is on the interaction between some really fun characters! I don't think it should be called a Historical Romance, it is not your typical 'Bodice Ripper'. The emphasis is not on the sex. You get to know the characters, and both love & hate them early on, and then they evolve and change, and suprise you. You then get to a point where you cannot put the book down, you need to know what happens next, and you think you might know, but you could be wrong....! It's a really fun read, it is very sarcastic & witty at times, but also very entertaining to someone who really does like Historical Fiction, the research is there. I recomend it highly!

This is a book for all of you who love an intelligent page-turner...compulsively readable and full of wit and several laugh-out-loud moments. Fascinating and fully drawn characters -- watching the emotional events unfold alongside the political is great fun.