Reviews

Want a 12th-century romance with a mixture of:

Adventures + tragedy + some magic potions + a lot of quests + that weird concept of honor = an outstanding romance that inspired a lot of work that came after it.
Bedier is a great storyteller too.

Since my mother grew up reading medieval novels about King Arthur and his knights of the round table I always had a lot of books on that topic and it takes me to that nostalgic time when she would tell me about it.
This type of story takes me to a whole different time and place and I really enjoy it myself. Nothing more to say here, besides a very subjective 5/5.
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12th-century romance with adventures, a magic potion, and a tragic ending? Sign me up. Review to come.

lizella's review against another edition

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3.0

I listened to the Librivox podcast version of this book. The reader was well-matched to the story and consistent throughout. The story itself is much what would be expected for the period, filled with adventure and the trials and tribulations of star-crossed lovers.

zenaslib's review against another edition

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3.0

It was neat, I just don't always respond well to that sort of writing style and my mind starts to wander too much, thus rendering half of the book pretty much pointless. I'm sure I'll like it more after a second read.

ideoilli's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

colorfulleo92's review against another edition

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3.0

The romance story/myth is almost as well known and loved as the play Romeo and Juliet and just like the last one I've never really been a fan of anything to do with Tristan and Iseult (or Isolde) sure it's a classic. Just not the kind of romance that peak my interest and undying love. I decided to pick it up in hopes I would love it and find a love for this story but sadly I did not. It's not the books fault though. Just a personal preference

sundragonheartt's review against another edition

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5.0

There was a dragon and doomed romance in this. Couldn’t ask for more.

cschaepe84's review against another edition

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5.0

A classic tale as old as time, and yet so timeless as many stories ever since have been influenced by it, part fairy tale from the love potion they consume and dragons and giants, part epic as told of Tristan's adventures, and all tragic romance with Tristan and Iseult's forbidden relationship. We have two star-crossed lovers who fight to be together, but each one knowing that their circumstances can never let it be, give in to the life they were meant to have--apart. The distance kills them, both body and soul, as their love and the intensity of their desire never wanes, and in the end, they die.
I liked the story, though the writing style is a bit tough to read at times since it is old English, and other times very passive in its telling. Nevertheless, this classic still had the impact it was meant to, and is a testimony of how there's no beating them.

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