Patrick - My take on it...

[chex]

Ok I just finished Patrick, and thought I’d write my thoughts on this book. I’ll try and be brief but I can’t promise anything.

This was my first Lawhead novel – I think I was out of stuff to read and just looking randomly around the Library for some new material. So I came upon Patrick, and thought it looked quite interesting.

Well I have mixed feelings about this book. I wanted to like it, but sometimes it just annoyed me. I finished it, which I suppose must be a good thing, but I never had a problem putting it down - I never wanted to keep on reading til the early hours.

Firstly, Succat changed too much for me to find believable. In the first 100 pages I came to know him as a weak, insecure and fragile character. Then by the end of the book he was a warrior in the army and then on his way to becoming a senator! He just changed into this valiant, confident, sure character that didn’t convince me.

The plot seemed a bit all over the place too. It was almost like Lawhead was thinking, “where shall Succat go next..?” It was like 3 books crammed into 1 novel.

I did enjoy the book, but it had a lot more potential.

I also found it a bit much when Sionan turned a blind eye to Succats other (deceased) family! She didn’t even seem to care.

I also have “The Iron Lance” with me, but can’t decide whether or not to give that a go too.

I love historical novels, and have read a lot of Bernard Cornwell/Conn Iggulden, so this series caught my attention too.

I know this review might come across as very negative, but I’ve tried to be fair.

Anyhow, this was my first post – I can see this forum isn’t particularly active, so I doubt I’ll even see a response. But I wanted to get this off my chest, as all my friends are Sci-fi nerds!

Thanks for reading.

[Paladin]

I agree with some of what you said. I don't know if the character transformation was quite so unimaginable to me when I read Patrick, what really bothered me was just how far Patrick fell. I think that was Lawhead's purpose, though. Patrick became this self-righteous, pompous little berk who I finally just wanted to see get smacked around a little. He FINALLY broke down in pretty much the last chapter and made some amends, but I was left a bit wanting in that regard. We had invested so much time in reading about his downward spiral (and how Patrick still experienced amazing things) that when it finally came time for redemption, it was over too quickly for me.

I liked Patrick, but it wasn't my favorite. You say that you have The Iron Lance, now? GO FOR IT!!! I really enjoyed the Celti Cruesades, but if you asked me for my favorite series/book I'd be stuck between Song of Albion and the Pendragon Cycle (plus Avalon).

[Tegid]

Two things to consider about the book when evaluating it:

This melange of identities is who Lawhead's research indicated the real Patrick was before he became the sainted hero of Ireland. There's no telling whether Lawhead or any other fiction writer would have cobbled together such a widely varied and disparate career and its many necessary personal changes for the main character if it were not already suggested by the historical details.

The ending does indeed leave something wanting. Lawhead planned for the rest of the tale to be told in a second volume, but the publisher decided against this. I think the story and its point suffers greatly without that next book, and I personally [dream] wish it could still be written and released someday [/dream].

[Paladin]

That's interesting to hear about his wish for a second tome. Perhaps if that had been approved by the publisher, they could have split two into three somehow.

[chex]

I’m on page 100 of Iron Lance and so far it’s great. I hope that it continues to be so. I like the character Murdo already, and love reading about his feelings towards Ragna. Brings back memories.

I'm not sure if I'd read a 2nd Patrick though - maybe if I had nothing else to read.

By the way - does Lawhead post on these forums?

[dinadan]

SRL doesn't usually post. Sometimes he'll leave messages on the tagboard at the bottom of the page.

Patrick is one of my least favorite Lawhead novels, btw. Read Byzantium! Many of the same plot elements and devices (sinner-to-saint) are present in both novels, but Byzantium is much longer, better plotted, and (imho) better written. The only problem I have with it is the end, which I think needs more explanation, but that's just me.

I'm not a fan of the Celtic Crusades books. I read part of the first one, and just couldn't make it through.

We're trying to re-invigorate the activity of the forum; please, post often!

[chex]

I usually read quite a lot, so hopefully I will, dependant on how good this series is!

I'll look into the Byzantium series either after the Celt series or if I can't get into it.

One thing that puzzled me with the Iron Lance...

Is Murdo Scottish? And if so, didn't the English and Scottish absolotly loathe eachother during the 1000's?

Correct me if I'm wrong

[flip]

I enjoyed Patrick, but I liked the Iron Lance better. I haven't read the second and third volumes as of yet, but I will.

And while I agree that Patrick left you wanting more, I don't know if I would immediately read a second volume...

[Paladin]

I'm no historian, but did the Orcadians consider themselves Scottish?

[chex]

Ok I thought I'd revive my thread!

I'm onto the 3rd Celtic Crusade book. I really enjoyed the first, loved it when Murdo finally got home. The 2nd was good, but was a bit similar to the first. I've just started the 3rd - I read the blurb and thought "oh god another book that's exactly like the first two!" And I'm no sexist, but I can't see me being drawn in the to the same level by a female character as I am male.

I'm not sure I'll finish this one, but I'll give it a try. Anyone have similar thoughts?

[Dred]

There are some good differences between books one and two compared to three. I'm not going into details but I would encourage you to read the third completely. The differences are very nice and good for the book.

[chex]

You mean 3 is better than 1 and 2? Well I'm pretty pissed that Duncan's dead already!

I also have no idea what all the 1901 stuff is...Pemberton and co.

I mean what the hell is all that about?! I guess I'll find out?

I'm not stupid....honest.

[Dred]

I wouldn't say that 3 is better than the first two. I simply think there are some differences there that are enjoyable. Yeah, Duncan being dead isn't a great thing at all but it leads us off to where his daughters go and how they deal with things.

You'll definitely find out what the whole thing is with Pemberton and the others. It all gets wrapped up in the end.

You'll just have to read through the book to figure it out.

[chex]

I'm working on it

I like it already because the story is told from Renauld's point of view and not just Caits. (2nd book was all Duncan's).

I'll let you guys know what I thought of it when I finish. Hopefully not too long.

[Dred]

Sounds great. I look forward to seeing what you think.