Review of The Flight of Starlings

[Gladis Ratish Kumar]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Flight of Starlings" by P.D. Russell-Ranson.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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“The Flight of Starlings” by P.D. Russell-Ranson is a captivating historical fiction novel set in twelfth-century France, revolving around the poignant love story of Heloise and Abelard. The author introduces a fictional character, Adele, a fifteen-year-old girl who plays a crucial role in unfolding the narrative.

Adele arrives at the Paraclete at the age of fifteen, intending to study Greek and Latin under Heloise's mentorship. Unlike many girls her age, Adele is deeply spiritual and uninterested in marriage, which leads her to the Paraclete. Initially, she feels disheartened by the austere life at the convent. Heloise assigns her the task of copying the letters exchanged between herself and Abelard. Immersing herself in this work, Adele gradually adapts to the Paraclete’s way of life.

Through the conversations between Adele and Heloise, the love story of Heloise and Abelard is revealed. The narrative is deeply moving, filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader engaged. To fully understand their love story and witness Adele's adaptation to life at the Paraclete, one must delve into the book.

Russell-Ranson skillfully captures the essence of the era through Adele's eyes. The depiction of twelfth-century life at the Paraclete is vividly brought to life, with well-drawn characters contributing uniquely to the plot. Heloise stands out as a bold and beautiful character, courageous enough to face life's greatest adversities. Her resilience and unwavering love for Abelard, along with her willingness to make sacrifices for their love, are truly admirable.

However, the book is marred by numerous typographical errors, which disrupt the pacing and can detract from the reader's experience. Additionally, the inclusion of adult content and same-sex relationships might not appeal to all readers. Some offensive remarks about certain religions could also be unsettling, although these elements can be seen as part of the author's attempt to faithfully portray the attitudes and arguments of the twelfth century.

Despite these drawbacks, I rate “The Flight of Starlings” 4 out of 5 stars. With proper editing to address the typos, the book has the potential to provide an even more enjoyable reading experience.

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The Flight of Starlings
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Leona Rodrigues]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Flight of Starlings" by P.D. Russell-Ranson.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Share This Review

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“The Flight of Starlings” by P.D. Russell-Ranson is a captivating historical fiction novel set in twelfth-century France, revolving around the poignant love story of Heloise and Abelard. The author introduces a fictional character, Adele, a fifteen-year-old girl who plays a crucial role in unfolding the narrative.

Adele arrives at the Paraclete at the age of fifteen, intending to study Greek and Latin under Heloise's mentorship. Unlike many girls her age, Adele is deeply spiritual and uninterested in marriage, which leads her to the Paraclete. Initially, she feels disheartened by the austere life at the convent. Heloise assigns her the task of copying the letters exchanged between herself and Abelard. Immersing herself in this work, Adele gradually adapts to the Paraclete’s way of life.

Through the conversations between Adele and Heloise, the love story of Heloise and Abelard is revealed. The narrative is deeply moving, filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader engaged. To fully understand their love story and witness Adele's adaptation to life at the Paraclete, one must delve into the book.

Russell-Ranson skillfully captures the essence of the era through Adele's eyes. The depiction of twelfth-century life at the Paraclete is vividly brought to life, with well-drawn characters contributing uniquely to the plot. Heloise stands out as a bold and beautiful character, courageous enough to face life's greatest adversities. Her resilience and unwavering love for Abelard, along with her willingness to make sacrifices for their love, are truly admirable.

However, the book is marred by numerous typographical errors, which disrupt the pacing and can detract from the reader's experience. Additionally, the inclusion of adult content and same-sex relationships might not appeal to all readers. Some offensive remarks about certain religions could also be unsettling, although these elements can be seen as part of the author's attempt to faithfully portray the attitudes and arguments of the twelfth century.

Despite these drawbacks, I rate “The Flight of Starlings” 4 out of 5 stars. With proper editing to address the typos, the book has the potential to provide an even more enjoyable reading experience.

******
The Flight of Starlings
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

The review is absolutely great, highlighting all the pros and cons in detail! Also the book sounds interesting!

[Gladis Ratish Kumar]

Hi. Thanks for reading. Yes, the book is fascinating. Please do give it a try.