Gatty's Tale by Kevin Crossley-Holland

so i finished reading Gatty's Tale last night and i have to say it's one of the better books i've ever read. it's the kind of book that just keeps getting better and better as you keep reading it. it never really gets boring or dull, but it's not gripping or thrilling either, i just kept reading it because it was so nicely written and the story was so well told and the characters were so wonderful and lovable and its world was so rich and colourful. it's its richness that makes it so exciting.

Gatty's Tale is a period piece set in medieval europe, during the time of the crusades and the short-lived kingdom of jerusalem. the story is really about Gatty's growth from a girl to a young woman and the story richly demonstrates her maturation from childhood to young adulthood in a very charming and warmhearted way. her maturation takes place during her pilgrimage from wales to jerusalem. getting to witness that transformation and the events that mature her is probably my favourite part of this novel.

it's a novel that i look forward to reading again and again. eventually.

on a final note, i think i should warn you that this is one of joanne's favourite books. the pace is decidedly slow and it's full of details and descriptions. it's the kind of book that focusses on its characters and settings rathers than the action and the plot. so it's not gripping and it's not exciting. if you can't stand that kind of thing, don't bother with reading this book. it'll bore you to death. but for everyone else, i can wholeheartedly recommend this book as a delicious experience that you will thoroughly enjoy!