Favorite Books--#10--Lysbeth

As the author Anne Elisabeth Stengl and various others say, a good writer is a good reader. How true that is. While I have no doubt that there are great writers out there who don't read much, it is ever so beneficial to have a host of excellent books to learn from. If you are a writer of Fantasy, one would automatically think to read Fantasy. Yes, indeed, do that. But to make a world feel real, it is also a great idea to read fiction so you can get a sense of this world so that your world is even better. Thus even though my favorite genre to read is Fantasy, I love a great Historical Fiction.

I introduce a series of posts of my top ten favorite books, with the wish that you too may read and learn from these lovely works of fiction. I shall start from my 10th favorite book and progress up to my very favorite.

Favorite Books--#10:

Lysbeth

by

H. Rider Haggard



Publishing Company: Christian Liberty Press

The author, H. Rider Haggard, best known for his timeless classic, King Solomon's Mines, recounts in this tale the inspiring story of Lysbeth, a young Dutch woman forced to endure the perils and tribulations of the Spanish Occupation's yoke and Inquisition of the 16th century. The momentous events of her life unfold against the turbulent backdrop of the struggle of Dutch Independence, led by William the Silent.
This enduring story of faith, love, and hardship is now present in a newly revised and updated version for modern readers. Intense action, virtuous romance, and the abiding faith of the characters stand out from the pages of this unforgettable novel.
 (Taken from back of the book)

My thoughts:

I received this novel for Christmas one year, and I was entirely unsure how I would like it. The Spanish Occupation in the Netherlands had not been something I'd really studied, and I knew very little about it. Still, it was thick book (400+ pages), and it had a pretty front cover. So I dove in.

First off: as much as the title, front cover, and summary suggests, the book is NOT about Lysbeth. She is the main character for only 1/3 of the book! Rather it follows the storylines of her two sons: Foy and Adrian. Kind-hearted Foy is her son from her beloved Dutch husband, while romantic Adrian is the son from a pervious forced marriage to a Spaniard. So here we have two half-brothers...and did we mention they fall in love with the same girl, a beautiful maid named Elsa? And that Lysbeth's evil ex-husband is still on the loose? And that the conflict between the Protestants and the Catholics is getting increasingly hostile? And did we further mention that there is a great treasure hidden about, that the Spaniards would love to have, but could be the only hope for the Dutch, and that Foy is the one of the few people who knows where it is???

Ah-hah. Now we have a story here. The front cover and title would scare most guys off, which is a shame because this novel could appeal to them greatly.

This novel has just about everything in it: beautiful damsels in distress, heroic heroes, a terrifically evil villain, battles, betrayal, true love, daring escapes, brave last stands, a huge giant of a man with a broad sword in a world that uses rapiers, and a mad old woman out for revenge.The novel is brilliantly written, weaving between different plots and characters well.

I recommend the above version, which as far as I know, is only sold by Vision Forum or Christian Liberty Press. There are other versions, but this one is revised for the modern reader. While there is violence, there is no inappropriate content (despite two forced marriages!)

I hope you will read this little spoken-of classic, and enjoy it as much as I did.