Hello people!! Here is the thing for today's post: I have always been a demanding literature reader,very difficult to satisfy. There were times I would start reading a book, having "great expectations" and then somewhere in the middle of this very promising work realising that it was just not worth my precious time..!And how disappointing this discovery is every single time,I'm sure you can identify with me!
But when you think that you have reached the point of despair and you are urgently in need of a shelter from reality there is always one remedy:
CLASSICAL LITERATURE! Thank god for that!! Because as much as we try to deny it, there is always this irresistible appeal of the past which will
NEVER EVER stop fascinating us! Personally, I'm a staunch supporter of medieval castles, legenday creatures, reading about the achievements of glorious kings and noble knights..and then of course come the myths and folklore which allow us to interpret the world and people of different eras in SO MANY WAYS!
Ivanhoe was all a lover of the medieval era and English culture in general would expect from a book like that! Walter Scott combines masterfully a grasping heroic tale with historical information concerning for example "The war of the roses", Richard the lionheart during his attempt to reclaim the throne of England from his younger brother and even Robin Hood and his outlaws. Thoughout the book the reader familiarises himself/herself with the values of medieval times, although somehow idealised. Of course I could not help pointing out that, although the main characters' decisions fully illustrate their noble nature, they still remain human, with certain weaknesses and faults.There is indeed endless action and the descriptions of battles are remarkable! I totally recommend this book as I believe it is a must for one's reading list and a work that one devours by following step by step the adventures of its heroes!
