The Road to Jerusalem: Book One of the Crusades Trilogy

This is a compelling, engrossing story about three characters: Arn Magnusson - a boy who is placed in a monastery and is trained to become a warrior by a former Templar knight; his love interest, Cecilia Algotsdotter (who is a simple woman and who has a much larger role in the later books) - and above all about the early birth of the Kingdom of Sweden. This book takes place in the 1100's, when Sweden had competing clans and lands. Much of the book is about the Folkung clan, one of whom is Arn, and their relations with the other clans and the Church. This is not a war-action novel, but the first book of a great epic. This is, in many ways, a prologue to the second book which focuses on Arn's 20 so years in the Holy Land as a knight Templar. This first is interesting and, after the first few chapters, enjoyable, because it is about life in medieval Sweden, and as I previously said the birth of Sweden. I am no expert in Swedish history, but I do know that many of the characters mentioned in the book, as well as the places, did exist. Most medieval era stories about Scandinavia tend to focus on the pagan Vikings - but this book has no real reference to the pagan days, with all of the Scandinavians devout Latin Christians under the influence of the Church (by Latin, I do not mean they speak Latin but in contrast to Orthodox). The trilogy is a hero's journey. Like many an archetypal hero his journey is indirect, guided by older and wiser men (and women), and reluctant. Arn's only desire is to live a happy life, but repeated personal tragedies as well as Swedish politics send him not to a nice, quiet farm life but, as the title says, on the Path to Jerusalem. This trilogy were a small phenomenon in Sweden; not only because of the historical and geographical basis, but also because the character building is compelling and, for better or worse, generally detailed and drawn out. On a final note, the author is a controversial figure, with innumerable extremist views - but none of these are clearly apparent in this book, and while sympathetic to Muslims in later books there is not really an extreme anti-Western slant. At worst he perpetuates the idea that Saladin was honorable, generous, and intelligent - which in fact history seems to substantiate... but all of this is in the second book - the Knight Templar.

In 1150, Sigrid, a woman troubled by her pregnancy, makes a bargain with God. Later when her son Arn Magnusson miraculously recovers from a fall, she has a vision that forever changes the life of her second son, her family's business and even the future of her land, a land that will later become known as Sweden. She sends her son to Varnhem monastery where he will spend his life in the service of God. Cistercian monk Father Henri takes Arn under his wing, teaching him Aristotle while Brother Guilbert, a former Knight's Templar, teaches Arn the art of warfare. Convinced that God has a plan for Arn, the brothers feel their duty is to train him for all possibilities, including a life beyond the monastery's walls. When they send him out into the world, Arn meets and falls in love with Cecilia. The murder of a king embroils the land in intrigue in which lords from the east and west battle one another for power, but perhaps worse than the lords are the women whose secretive battle for power ensnares Arn. A momentary indiscretion will lead to a series of events that lead Arn away from home to battle in the Crusades. Swedish author Jan Guillou's THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM leads into the Crusades Trilogy with a medieval coming of age story of the main hero, Arn Magnusson. The first book in the series focuses on the development of the main character's spiritual and military growth while his love interest marks his growth from a boy to a man. As part of the western Gotaland Folkung clan, Arn's life is situated within the larger historical context of the story of the Svealand Erik clan and the eastern Gotaland Sverker Clan and the founding of Sweden. As a young man raised within a monastery, Arn's worldly innocence does not leave him immune from political intrigue and maneuvering. In THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM, Jan Guillou incorporates the history of the time with the literary themes of arms, religion and romance so loved by medieval literature enthusiasts. Jan Guillou creates a story that will appeal to both women and men readers through his ability to create characters with intelligence, honor, and noble hearts. Not only is Arn himself such a lovable character but so are those who surround him from his mother to the Cistercian brothers. Scenes showing Arn's close relationship with horses are quite moving to anyone who admires equine beauty. From his youthful innocence, an innocence like that of Percival, Arn sees the world with fresh eyes, eyes that bring a reader into his world and his character. Even his confessions of sin add a sense of honor, nobility and honest innocence to his character. Father Henri's wisdom, compassion and even his sense of humbleness before God's plan make this monk a most benevolent guardian and teacher. Father Henri is a man who has a pureness of faith yet he also understands the complexity of the moral issues before him. In the first book, Jan Guillou prepares the ground for the next part of the story with an intim

As a medieval historian and a big fan of historical fiction, family members from Sweden have been telling me for years to learn some Swedish so I can enjoy the fabulous bestselling Crusades Trilogy from Swedish author Jan Guillou. I still have yet to improve my language beyond basic Swedish, fortunately this isn't a problem anymore. The first book in the trilogy, The Road to Jerusalem, which has done very well in Europe also, is now available in English to American readers. The title may be somewhat of a misnomer, with an emphasis on "road to," as the main characters never even make it near to the Holy Land. However as this is a trilogy, readers know they'll get there eventually. In this first book, the year is 1150, and readers are introduced to Arn Magnusson, a boy of noble birth who is sent to a cloister where he learns the ways of the church, as well as some expert training in weaponry and horse riding from a master. Eventually leaving the cloister, Arn is reunited with his family who is expecting a humble monk, find a powerful, but pious warrior. After committing and being charged with a grave sin, he is forced to become a member of the Knights Templar at the end of the book. On the surface this seems a simple story, and readers may have a little trouble with the many Swedish names and words (a pronunciation guide would've been helpful; fortunately I at least know how to sound those foreign letters: å sounds like "awe," ä with a soft "e" sound like "egg," ö and ø [ø is the equivalent in the Norwegian and Danish alphabets] have an "er" sound), but Guillou does an incredible job of analyzing and revealing medieval twelfth-century life in Scandinavia. In the style of Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, Guillou isn't obvious and overbearing with the history, but reveals it through plot and story, allowing readers to make deductions for themselves. And for those who've seen the Swedish tre kronor or three crown flag and symbol prevalent throughout Sweden will have their questions answered in The Road to Jerusalem. Guillou probably could've combined the trilogy into once massive book à la Ken Follett, but instead you have a fun trilogy that begins with a strong foundation and background for those not too familiar with the period and area, continuing in the second book, The Templar Knight, due out May 2010. [...]

When I finished reading this book I was desperate to start the second which was tricky to find but available. American audiences haven't caught on to the series which is why the third book hasn't been translated yet! The series has been turned into a major motion picture in Sweden and is the countries most expensive movie production to date. (You might find it on You Tube). It's not loaded with blood and guts but an amazing story of life and death during difficult times. The backdrop is incredible with historical events that flow through the life of Arn the main character. If you enjoy historical novels you should enjoy this book and when you finish will start a petition to get the third translated!

In 1150 Sweden Arn Magnusson is born; the second son of an aristocratic Swedish family. While still a child, he is air lifted by a rock, which when he lands below the castle should have killed him. Instead he returns from the dead leading his parents to believe he is special especially with the hair covering his forehead from the day he was born. His parents send Arn to a monastery where the monks teach him to read and write. However former knight, Brother Guilbert becomes his mentor teaching him archery and swordplay as well as guiding him into understanding the metaphysical spiritual realm. Arn is attracted Cecilia; especially loving her voice when she sings. However Cecilia's jealous sister Katarina seduces Arn and subsequently confesses her sin. Excommunicated for his transgressions Arn is sentenced to serve his penitence as a Knight Templar for two decades in the Holy Land. The aptly named THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM (Arn is still in Europe by book's end) is a fabulous historical thriller that provides a refreshing perspective on twelfth century religion and society in Sweden. Arn is a terrific lead character who holds the vivid story line together; the support cast enhances the deep look into Swedish medieval society while also propelling the plot forward. Crusades historical readers will appreciate this opening gamut and anxiously await the hero's return hopefully in Jerusalem. Harriet Klausner