Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Awful and That's No Jest!
Review: I am a big James Patterson fan and I knew this book was going to be something different, but I never expected it to be so unreadable. I read 50 pages before concluding I had better things to do with my time (luckily, it was a library book!). The book was boring and very violent. I wish that Patterson had given us another Alex Cross book instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Tried something new.... didn't work.
Review: I had high hopes when I saw that James Patterson had tried to branch out and try something new. I expected something along the line of Michael Crichton's "Timeline" . I was very disappointed. While it was a quick read, I found it to be beneath Patterson's usual quality of writing. The plot definately had potential but I don't think Patterson did it justice. My advice.... skip this one or just borrow it from the library.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome!
Review: I loved this book. I am not a huge Patterson fan per se. Oddly, I prefer his non-Alex Cross novels (i.e., When the Wind Blows), so I had reserved hopes for The Jester. Others have already given a synopsis, so I won't go into detail; however, I must admit that I could not put this book down. I read it over three nights. Each day I couldn't wait to get home from work so I could start reading again. I read about 2 books a week, and I don't often come across a book that does that for me. If you're hesitant because of the book's subject matter, don't be. While some research was obviously done, this is a "thriller," not a historical. Highly recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: A different James Patterson
Review: I am a great Patterson fan. As soon as he latest book is published I buy it. So The Jester is now sitting on my night table.
It is a very different James Patterson book. Set in the 11th Century in France. I am a history buff so I find the book interesting. I must agree with the other readers in that the Patterson short chapters leaves something to be desired in this type of historical novel. It is not a fast paced read. If you are looking for Alec Cross in a Knights Suit this book is not for you.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent - Braveheart, Gladiator, and Robin Hood in One!
Review: I'll admit it - I was skeptical when I picked up James Patterson's latest novel. Set in 1098? A jester for a hero? The Crusades? Religious relics? Nevertheless, it was a Patterson book, which are usually entertaining, so I picked it up and started reading. Let me tell you something - This is a book you will not want to miss. This book is not a historically precise dialog on the events of the times. It is a thriller, and on that premise, it succeeds. This novel reads exactly like any of Patterson's other thrillers. The chapters are short, the action is fast, the battles are bloody. It is the kind of book that you sit down with the intention of reading 20 pages, and when you next check, you're halfway through it. I was constantly reminded of the movies Braveheart, Gladiator, and Robin Hood, Prince of Theives while I was reading. Serfs are rising against their noble lords, and an army of peasents storms forts manned with soldiers (Braveheart). A man seeks revenge for the killing of his son and wife (Gladiator). Our hero falls in love with a noble woman against the traditions of the times (Robin Hood). If you've seen these movies and you read this book, you'll see what I mean. Make no mistake about it - this book is by no means purely romantic. There is gory violence, dismemberment, and torture. There is love, but there is also sex. There's vulgarity, humor, suffering, and hope. It really does have it all. Some people will not like this book. If you're expecting historical fiction, this is not it. If you want to learn about the Crusades, look elsewhere. Read this book only if you want to be entertained. Patterson's book are akin to watching an action film. You might not learn anything, but you will surely enjoy reading for its own sake. Some people will complain about certain aspects of this book. Is the romance sappy? Absolutely. Is it at times contrived? Sure. Are there some plot jumps that strain credibilty? Probably. Is this one of the more entertaining novels I've read lately? Without question. When you pick this book up, relax, and let yourself be entertained. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: What a fantastic book
Review: I cant believe it i have never read a book like it.From start to end it was like a rollercoaster ride of pain and laughter.Maybe its me, or the fact that I love books like this, but buy buy buy!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: An opportunity wasted.
Review: This book's subject matter had so much potential. Instead, it has been totally wasted. It had a chance to go into detail about the Crusades, relics, siege warfare, French village life, and life in the Courts of France. It seems like it has been dumbed down for eighth graders. Wait for it in paperback.
Rating:
Summary: VERY disappointing!
Review: Hugh De Luc is an adventurous man so it does not come as a surprise to his wife when he goes off to fight in the First Crusade. Hugh, discouraged from his experience in the Crusade, returns home to find villages torched, dozens of towns people slaughtered, his home ransacked and his wife missing all by knights in search of a precious relic. Refusing to believe his wife is dead, Hugh sets out to find her and the only way to do that is to infiltrate the castle where he believes her to be by pretending to be a jester. How do I describe 'The Jester'...well, let's start by saying it's unlike anything James Patterson has written before; it's a historical action/adventure. I will list the good parts first; the pacing of 'The Jester' is fast, the action scenes are exciting and filled with brutal violence, and as always in a Patterson novel the chapters are short and punchy. Now, the bad things; the short and punchy chapters get in the way of the story developing in certain parts, the fast pace makes the story feel rushed at times, there is romance that gets in the way and parts of the book are laughable when meant to be serious. All this mixed together makes for an unsatisfyting read, one that is very disappointing considering James Patterson's previous novels. Readers of this type of fiction might enjoy 'The Jester' for Mr. Patterson's easy to read style of writing, but fans of his previous novels should think long and hard before picking up this one. Nick Gonnella
Rating: 
Summary: 11th Century France meets "Speed"
Review: Though I do love mystery novels, I've never taken the mainstream route and given James Patterson a try. Now I understand why he is so popular. What makes this book special is the blend of nice historical setting with a smoothly compelling, easy reading style. The Crusades do not generally make for light reading. Our modern sensibilities grate at the medieval attitude toward infidels, and the practice of sending unskilled, barely armed innocents to be slaughtered far from home. Patterson's zippy style lightens 11th Century France to such a level that any fiction fan can enjoy this book. It felt like watching the movie "Speed"-momentum kept me turning pages, though I guessed at large chunks of the plot well ahead of their appearances. The hero, Hugh, is a thoroughly modern man struggling against medieval law and custom. He balks at the epidemic injustice inflicted upon peasants owned by noble lords, and first absents himself to the Crusades in an attempt at freedom. Of course, history reveals that the Good Lord did not smoothe the way for European Crusaders. Hugh's ugly experiences in the Holy Land only turn him back home to the loving wife he left behind. The horrors of war chafe even more than the bonds of serfdom. Back home, the nobles have been up to their usual evil ways, and Hugh finds his town and family ruined. Like Michael Douglas in "Falling Down", he's had all he can take and the rules of life no longer seem to apply. Hugh sets out in a borderline berzerker state to avenge his family, and, symbolically, all indentured people like him. A helpful noblewoman is the one to suggest that a fool-the jester of the title-might be an excellent pretext for infiltrating high society to gain access to those to whom Hugh's sworn revenge. The story runs quickly and is compelling. While not a complex historical to rival Clavell's "Shogun" or Iain Pears' "An Instance of the Fingerpost", a serious reader of historicals might find this a perfect beach or airplane book. There are no glaring or offensive historical inaccuracies to insult the sophisticated reader, though that delightful sense of being completely absorbed into another time is also somewhat less. I'm left with only one real complaint. The book opens in modern-day France, where an archaeological find has just been discovered in the grave of a jester. Though an excellent opener, the book never comes back to our time at the end, nor does it make any other use of the information from those first few pages. It feels like a clever hook was used to get us into the story, but the authors never bothered to tie it thoroughly in. As a devoted historical fiction fan, I jumped at the opportunity to read a pre-release copy of "The Jester" by James Patterson. I work in a bookstore, and being able to comment on Patterson's latest will be a great benefit to my customers. I do not regret the experience, and I would happily spend more time in future with some of Patterson's other work.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: This book is totally engrossing. I listened to it while commuting in my car and it made the time fly by.
I'm a Patterson fan and wasn't sure I'd like a historical novel, but the story is wonderful, full of great characters.
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