As irreverent and adventurous as The Canterbury Tales, but set 100 years closer to modern times. The characters were rich and a bit cartoonish in their antics. The religious and historical information is well incorporated, and only added to the action. The action got a bit too outlandish and Hollywood for my tastes at the end, but meshed with the book’s tone. The plotting, deception, and ironic outcome were enough of a climax and conclusion without any need for medieval superhero scenes.