The Brethren: Fortunes of France 1 - Fortunes of France 1 (Paperback)

"There is a philosophical depth to the novel. . . one of the strengths of Merle's novels [is] his ability to evoke the feeling and texture of everyday life as well as high politics. . . [The Brethren] has a credibly human solidity, and whets one's appetite for the next volume, "City of Wisdom and Blood," which will be published in the fall." - The Wall Street Journal

"One of the many delights vouchsafed by Robert Merle's The Brethren is the sense that the author is astonished that what he's writing about actually happened. . . If there is a pattern to the narration-a dependable vacillation between personal exploit and public machination-the chronicle is also seductively contorted, with adventures sowed into other adventures. . . Pierre, then, is the human demilitarized zone separating his mother and father. His voice can be self-congratulatory though also generous and gently philosophical, reminiscent at moments of Merle's colleague Sartre. . . Feudal life can hardly seem more vivid than when Merle leaves the religious war to describe, through a smart translation by T. Jefferson Kline, a soul-strengthening day of haymaking or the swagger of a barrel-chested wet nurse with 'milk for sale.' Merle the English teacher repeatedly bows to Shakespeare. . . [The Brethren] is wise and audacious, constantly nudging up against the extraordinary." - The New York Times Book Review

"The compelling first in a series of French historical novels, deftly translated and published for the first time in English. Chateau Mespech is a fiefdom relentlessly imperiled by the weather, Gypsy bandits, royal and religious duplicity, and the plague . . . Merle peoples his tale with memorable characters: villains, maids, legionnaires and townsfolk . . . Merle's is a French epic, more genteel than Dickens' poor-child English tales and less doleful than Tolstoy's Russian sagas." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Swashbuckling historical fiction... For all its philosophical depth [The Brethren] is a hugely entertaining romp... The comparisons with Dumas seem both natural and deserved and the next 12 instalments [are] a thrilling prospect." - Guardian

"A vivid novel by France's modern Dumas... [there is] plenty of evidence in the rich characterisation and vivid historical detail that a reader's long-term commitment will be amply rewarded." - Sunday Times

"Cleverly depicts France's epic religious wars through the intimate prism of one family's experience. It's beautifully written too." - Metro.

"We're swept away by triumph, tragedy, action and adventure... It's a novel like this that makes reviewing one of the best jobs in the world." - The Book Bag, Five Star Review

"Historical fiction at its very best... The second instalment cannot be published too soon." - We Love This Book

"A Sprawling, earthy tale of peril, love, lust, death, dazzling philosophical debate and political intrigue... an engrossing saga." - Gransnet

"A master of the historical novel." - Guardian

"A spectacular evocation of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century France." - Independent

Advance Praise from Europe:

"His readers appreciate his recipe for writing that is as political as it is entertaining." - Deutschlandfunk

"Be warned: even just a few pages can lead to addiction." - Neckar-Tauber Trend

"With much wit, irony and a knack for juicy details, [Merle] brings alive his country's history." - Literatur-Report

"For fans of historical fiction, The Brethren is a delight to savour." - Thuringer Allgemeine

"Thrilling! Robert Merle rides his novel at full tilt across a richly eventful period of history." - Le Magazine Litteraire

"Robert Merle is one of the very few French writers who have attained both popular success and the admiration of critics." - Le Figaro

"A wonderful, colourful, breathlessly narrated historical panorama." - Zeitpunkt

"Breathes new life into the classic adventure story and great historical epic." - Les Nouvelles Litteraires

"France's greatest popular novelist." - Le Monde

"The Dumas of the twentieth century." - Neues Deutschland