Negative Positive
Title: A superb novel, worthy of "An Instance of the Fingerpost"
Review: "An Instance of the Fingerpost" set an exceptionally high standard, but this work is a highly worthy successor. Pears weaves a gripping account of the plight of three sets of lovers in very different time periods, but facing comparable dilemmas. Fifth-century Gaul, fourteenth-century Provence and twentieth-century France provide the backgrounds for the characters struggle with the issues of personal ethics, civic duty and personal desire.The issue of anti-Semitism also provides a common thread. There is a healthy dose of neo-platonic philosophy in the background, but Pear's exposition is so masterful that no trepidation on the part of the reader is necessary.This novel was spellbinding and, ultimately, deeply moving. A masterful piece of fiction!
Is the review positive or negative? 