The Pilgrimof Hate, by Ellis Peters

The Pilgrim of Hate
By Ellis Peters

A Brtother Cadfael Mystery

Shortly after starting this novel, I discovered, for the second time, that the television series did not follow all the stories faithfully. As with The Holy Thief, the writers made significant changes in the story and characters. It might be argued that in that case they changed who the murderer was to eliminate an extra character.. and actor's salary, though they chose my favorite character to be the bad guy. In The Pilgrim of Hate I just don't see why they changed so much. This time the corpse is the one who is different.. causing the program to hire an extra character, though no doubt at a lower rate of pay as he had no lines. In the television bersion, Matthew and Ciaran are brothers and the victim of the crime is their father, found on a chilly night inside Matthew's pack. In the novel, they are not brothers, the victim is a knight in Winchester,not in anyone's pack, and it's mid-June.

But back to the book. It is the time of St. Winifred's Translation, and flocks of pilgrims have made their way to Shrewsbury. Among them are an odd couple, a barefoot penitent who claims to be mortally ill and on his way to die in Wales and his companion, a man who never lets him out of his sight. The other significant grouping is a lame boy named Rhun with his sister Melangell and their loving aunt. During the ceremonies young Rhun is cured and Matthew and Melangell fall in love. Ciaran has asked Melangell to hide from matthew that he has left the company and gone on his way alone, and her compliance earns her hard words and a slap from matthew, who takes off after Ciaran. Matthew has taken a vow to stick with the penitent. It is why and what the vow consists of that is the crux of this mystery.

One marvelous addition to this story is the return of Olivier de Bretagne, Cadfael's son by a love in Syria. He has come to search out a young man who may or may not be the killer of the aforementioned knight. Cadfael confesses to Hugh Beringar at the very end of the book that he knows that he is Olivier's father. Cadfael and his son spend some pleasant time together befor the latter must rush off after hearing that the Londoners have drivben off Empress maud before she could be crowned Queen. Cadfael vows he will not reveal their relationship to Olivier. Of course, I hope he changes his mind.

This was a mmost satisfying read. The mystery is complex enough to keep you guessing. I suppose the one good thing about the television rewrite of the plot is that it has not been spoiled for you when you read the book! I can't imagine how readers who got to the screenplay second felt about the change! The love story of Matthew and Melangell is less idyllic than the usual, which makes it more interesting. And the story of how sweet and good Rhun came to the abbey is worth the whole effort.

Now I find myself with only two little green boxes on my shelf to choose from for my next read... one Ursula Vlanchard and another Cadfael. Time to look elsewhere for a book...