Rating: 
Summary: Not Patterson's Work
Review: I too wholeheartedly agree with the five star ratings given to the most refreshing piece of writing to bare James Patterson's name in a long time. I was hesitant myself to start it as the title implies a Medieval setting, which is not my cup of tea. But, after reading Timeline, this too proved that my judgement was wrong. The writing is indeed excellent and the characters colorful and realistic. The story as well was brilliantly conceived. Only one thing bothers me though. This book very inconsistent with Patterson's recent work. I came to the conclusion quite a few books ago that his focus of late is to crank out a book a month to keep the cash coming in. There could be no other excuse for his last "out of genre" foray (When the Wind Blows), which far and away was the worse novel I have ever read (including that crap Koontz writes). That one fared so poorly that I am convinced that he should stay close to his element. Even the last Alex Cross novel I read (Four Blind Mice) was so ill-conceived and hastily slapped together that for the first time I really didn't care at all about the Cross characters and was in no hurry to finish the book. No, I believe all of the credit should go to Andrew Gross, who I would bet penned the entire novel using merely Patterson's short chapter style and name recognition. Patterson hasn't written this well since he was hungry and I don't believe he ever will again. Good work Andrew!
Rating: 
Summary: One of the worst books I've ever read
Review: The Jester is one of the worst books I've ever read! I should have known better than buy anything by Patterson but an Alex Cross novel; however, the lure of a historical novel was too tempting. There is absolutely no "feel" for the time period that is being written about and there is certainly no pulse-pounding advernture, mystery, and unforgetable love story (to paraphrase the blurb on the back cover of the book) offered in this novel. It is as if the writers devised a generic story and then said, "What backdrop shoud we use here? 1950 New York City? 1930 Chicago? I know, how about 1096 in southern France?" It is just awful! Save your money and your time. Pass on this one. If you want a good historical novel, try The Walking Drum by Louis L'Amour (not always historically accurate , but still a good read) or any book by Tracy Chevalier.
Rating:
Summary: Patterson has done it again..w/a little help from his friend
Review: In a word, EXCELLENT! This isn't a Cross novel so don't expect one, but it is a brilliant book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would happily recommend it to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Sappy and shallow
Review: I actually made it throught his whole book. I was not that worked up about the casual nature with which Patterson and Gross treat the historical realities until I actually finished the book and read the acknowledgements which state that they made 'extreme efforts' to be historically accurate. Puke.The book was pretty weak. I agree with one reviewer who likened it to reading a movie script. It moved along at a brisk if unlikely pace with little character development. I found the characters to be ridiculous. Every commoner has a heart of gold and every noble man is a lecherous jerk? Give me a break. Try to offer some complexity. Please. This book received two stars from me only because if you are looking for a brain dead book to read on vacation this fits the bill. It is entertaining and it does move along. Just don't expect great literature.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Brain Candy
Review: I'm a loyal Patterson fan, so I bought and read this book without knowing anything about it all. It took me about 3 sessions over 2 days to get through it. Not exactly high literature, but it was very entertaining. A good story and interesting characters made it a real page turner. True, it is quite violent (but not much worse than other Patterson novels), but come on, it's medieval France. What can you expect? That wasn't really a very gentle time or place in. My only complaint, as with most Patterson novels, is the ridiculously short chapters. Sure it makes for an easier read, but the number of one and two page chapters in this book was a bit extreme. I find it disruptive, especially when a single scene that should fill one chapter ends up taking up five or six.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating and Intriguing
Review: I wasn't sure I'd like this book, but I did, and a lot! It dates to 1096, in France. It really was a page turner though and added adventure and romance and passion into the whole mix. I was intrigued with the description of events and the time line the book was done in. It really pulled you back in time and painted such a vivid and realistic picture. I feel like I know what it could have been like to live there with lords and lieges and dukes. I definitely recommend it to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Sappy and Shallow, II
Review: I like historical fiction and had at least moderate expectations that this would be an enjoyable story, given Patterson's acclaim. Well, I should have gone to the bookstore and browsed this drippy yarn before purchasing it online. Cardboard cutouts would have more depth than the characters in this story. As for the setting and time period, 10 minutes of internet browsing would give you what this novel offers. The authors have a nerve to suggest they relied on historical research... If Hollywood makes a movie out of this, then plot, character, and scene development need little additional work with this novel in hand. My recommendation? Save the ~$8 and get yourself or a friend a big latte or something.
Rating:
Summary: Just awful
Review: This is several hours out of my life that I want back! I kept reading it because I've read all of Patterson's books, but this is such a departure, and so badly written, that it was a complete waste of time. You could see the "plot twists" coming a mile away, and it just dragged ON and ON. Ack. Skip this one.
Rating: 
Summary: A light summer read
Review: The Jester, while not a literary masterpiece, was still not as bad as some here have portrayed. This was what I usually call a "supermarket book." I get books like this from grocery store shelves when between better books, and want something that is neither heavy nor a prolonged series like I normally read. The best I can say of this book is that it was entertaining, and took little concentration to complete rather quickly. The plot was the old tried and true David and Goliath story, with some Robin Hood thrown in for good measure. Too bad it was telegraphed like a punch from nearly K.O.'d prize fighter. One reviewer recommended leaving this one at the airport. I disagree. Pick it up in the airport, just leave it on the plane at the end of your flight, so someone else can pass the time with a little light reading. If you're looking for historical accuracy and character developement, read P. O'Brian; if you're looking for mystery, read Christie or Grafton; if you're looking for suspense, read King....don't look for these things here.
Rating:
Summary: Great Fiction
Review: I'm glad I didn't look at the reviews for this book earlier otherwise I may not have bothered reading it. I bought it because it was reduced and I was mildly interested in the idea of a peasant posing as a jester to seek out his captive sweetheart in a hostile noble's court. I'd never read a James Patterson novel before this and although I gather it isn't a typical effort I expect to be looking for his other titles during my next visit to the bookstore. Reduced or not. First of all I don't read a book in order to find fault with it, as some of the reviewers apparently do. Yes the chapters are short and maybe the story is historically ambiguous and what if it is all totally implausible: what is important is that it's fully charged and has so many twists and turns it'll keep you spellbound till the end. Sure, it's not the most challenging book you'll ever read but if you indulge yourself in this unlikely fantasy you may end up realising the most important thing to take from it is the simple entertainment value a good story can bring. If not for the gore I would suggest it would make a good childrens fairytale, not that I'm complaining there, I'm used to books by King, Cornwell, etcetera.
| 
