Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome to our buddy read of The Leper of Saint Giles the fifth book in the Cadfael series, first published in 1981.

A marriage has been arranged between an ageing nobleman and a very young woman, coerced by greedy guardians. They arrive in Shrewsbury for the ceremony, where a savage killing takes place. Brother Cadfael is called upon to investigate.

Please do not post spoilers in this thread. Thank you.

Many thanks to Susan for setting up the threads. Just opening up this discussion tonight as I'm working this weekend.

Who is reading this one? I'm about a third of the way through and am really enjoying it, although so far the story is quite similar to others in the series - it's so beautifully written and so nice to get back to Cadfael.

I really enjoyed it. Although these books follow a type of pattern, I do enjoy the journey through them. I thought there were some strong characters in this one.

I’ve read this one a few times, so listened to the audiobook- I love Patrick Tull as narrator, he’s delightful! This is a strong story, good characters, good balance between action and young romance, I felt.

I started this. I need this kind of restful reading for the next week or so.

Good to hear you both enjoyed it, Jill and Susan, and that you are reading it, Carolien. I agree about it being restful reading - perfect for bedtime! I'm about 60% of the way through now and enjoying it.

The portrayal of the leper colony is interesting - a very different setting for the novel. Interesting to see that people with other skin conditions and ailments are also regarded as lepers and end up living there.

Not sure if this has already been posted in the past, but I've just read an interesting piece about Ellis Peters by Martin Edwards on the Mystery Scene magazine website:
https://www.mysteryscenemag.com/artic...

Judy wrote: "The portrayal of the leper colony is interesting - a very different setting for the novel. Interesting to see that people with other skin conditions and ailments are also regarded as lepers and end..."

I’ve always thought so, too - but (view spoiler)[the fact that lepers must keep covered up, stay away from the rest of the population, raises interesting plotting possibilities, but also fraught with peril! (hide spoiler)] Cadfael’s beloved Mark is missed in the herb garden, but wonderful character, great to see how he has come into his own at St. Giles.

I'm feeling rather sorry for the clumsy Brother Oswin - hoping he gets to be good at something by the end of the book.

Judy wrote: "I'm feeling rather sorry for the clumsy Brother Oswin - hoping he gets to be good at something by the end of the book."

Me, too - but I think Cadfael appreciates his strength for digging, turning over beds and such - if only he could stop breaking stuff!

I'm about half done and enjoying my visit to the Abbey and another set of young lovers. Cadfael is such a kind person.

P.S. I started reading a small paperback copy I owned, got less than a chapter in and decided I would be much happier with larger print. Luckily one of my libraries had an ebook available. I'm grateful for technology.

I agree about Cadfael being lovely and kind, but I do find the young lovers a bit samey, I must confess!

I can ignore the lovers trope, as I enjoy the journey.

Sandy wrote: "P.S. I started reading a small paperback copy I owned, got less than a chapter in and decided I would be much happier with larger print. Luckily one of my libraries had an ebook available. I'm grat..."

Yes! Same here, I had a bunch of old used Cadfael books, but gave them to a charity book sale - print was just too tiny for my old eyes, and luckily, Scribd and my library, between them, has either ebooks or audiobooks of the whole series! Much more enjoyable.

Jill wrote: "I can ignore the lovers trope, as I enjoy the journey."

Yes, I see the young lovers as necessary window dressing - after the wars, plagues, etc., someone had to keep populating England! Meanwhile, I find Cadfael a balm - as we suffer through the same - political turmoil, plandemic (will we ever learn?), Cadfael, his fellow religious, and the regular folk of Shrewsbury just keep plugging along, finding peace and pleasure in the little things. When he’s not solving a murder. Life goes on, seasons change, people come and go. Knitting while listening to one of these audiobooks is almost meditative for me! I am so glad I started revisiting this series over the last few years.

I read this a while ago, but hope to comment. I like Cadfael, but must agree that the young people are quite similar.

There is a bit of sameness across the books, but I still love reading them. Even the hardships of living in such a time is somehow ameliorated by the warm tones.

The leper of st giles
This is a story that I have read many times, but the first time that I have listened to the audiobook.
On the whole it was good - but the narrator would have been better giving Cadfael an English accent (as was done in the TV series) as the attempt at a Welsh accent ended up sounding more like someone from India.


Note for Cadfael fans : re the TV series - Apart from one adaptation I mostly enjoyed the series. Sir Derek Jacobi was a fine Cadfael, but for me was too posh. As I had been reading the books well before the series was filmed I had my own vision of Cadfael and he was rougher and quite Welsh.