Louis Bayard

Reader Comments about THE BLACK TOWER

William Morrow
ISBN: 9780061173509
(August 26, 2008)

• About the Book
• Critical Praise
• Read a Review
• Read an Excerpt

Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Louis Bayard's THE BLACK TOWER.

Doris from Lafayette, IN

Have you previously read a book by Louis Bayard?
No.

What other historical fiction authors do you usually read?
Lauran Willig, Tasha Alexander, Kate Morton (THE HOUSE AT RIVERTON), Mary Ann Shaffer (THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY), and Deanna Raybourn.

What did you think of THE BLACK TOWER?
Bayard presents a mesmerizing tale of intrigue and mystery with compelling characters and vivid descriptions of early 19th-century Paris. The possibility that young Charles, or Louis VVII, survived his brutal imprisonment during the French Revolution provides a fascinating intoduction to Eugène François Vidocq and his skills and techniques as a detective with the French police. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will highly recommend it to others. In addition, I plan to read Bayard's other two books.

Kim from Oldsmar, FL

Have you previously read a book by Louis Bayard?
No.

What other historical fiction authors do you usually read?
I read Laurie R. King and Diana Gabaldon.

What did you think of THE BLACK TOWER?
Vidocq and Carpentier are flawed men. They have the capacity for both greatness and debauchery. Bayard's characters are fully formed. If someone mentioned Marie Antoinette to me before reading this book, I would have shouted, "Off with their heads!" Now, I wonder about her innocent children and their fates.

Would you ever read a future book by Louis Bayard?
Yes!

Larry from Georgetown, TX

Have you previously read a book by Louis Bayard?
No --- THE BLACK TOWER was my first.

What other historical fiction authors do you usually read?
Bernard Cornwell, Robert Harris, Ken Follett, Conn Iggulden, Frederick Forsyth, Daniel Silva, W. E. B. Griffin, Patrick O'Brian and several others.

What did you think of THE BLACK TOWER?
The book was engaging and fascinating from the very first page, and a "page turner" all the way to the end. Too many historical novels dwell on the historical aspects of the time, often leaving the characters weak and undeveloped. But, the characters in THE BLACK TOWER are the main attraction, and are fully developed and believable. This is a great book that I would heartily recommend.

Would you ever read a future book by Louis Bayard?
Most definitely. I'll also read his previous books.

Michael from Puyallup, WA

Have you previously read a book by Louis Bayard?
No, I have not read Louis Bayard before, nor had I heard of him.

What other historical fiction authors do you usually read?
Anne Perry's William Monk series; Matthew Pearl's THE DANTE CLUB. and I have THE POE SHADOW, but haven't read it yet; Lawrence Goldstone's THE ANATOMY OF DEEPTION; Jed Rubenfeld's THE INTERPRETATION OF MURDER; Caleb Carr's THE ALIENIST, THE ANGEL OF DARKNESS and THE ITALIAN SECRETARY; David L. Robbins's WAR OF THE RATS, THE ASSASSINS GALLERY; and James A. Michener.

What did you think of THE BLACK TOWER?
I really enjoyed it. Mr. Bayard aroused my curiosity about Vidocq so that I had to look him up on the internet. I would like to see him again in another novel. I love reading books that have historical settings with both real and fictional characters, and that pose a "what if" about a conjecture that has been circulating for years. THE BLACK TOWER did exactly that. It was well worth the time I spent reading the book. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good historical mystery.

Would you ever read a future book by Louis Bayard?
Yes, I would. I was so sure that I would like his writing and his subject matter that I purchased THE PALE BLUE EYE when I learned that I had been selected to read THE BLACK TOWER. I also want to read MR. TIMOTHY.

Valerie from Fortuna, CA

Have you previously read a book by Louis Bayard?
This is the first book I have read by Louis Bayard and I enjoyed it very much.

What other historical fiction authors do you usually read?
I have read many authors who write historical fiction, including --- but not limited to --- Elizabeth Peters, Phillipa Gregory and Thomas B. Costain.

What did you think of THE BLACK TOWER?
I loved this book!

Would you ever read a future book by Louis Bayard?
I would definitely read a future book by Louis Bayard.

Ann from Elk Grove, CA

Have you previously read a book by Louis Bayard?
No.

What other historical fiction authors do you usually read?
I enjoy reading (or rereading) Irving Stone, Ann Rinaldi and Diana Gabaldon.

What did you think of THE BLACK TOWER?
I found it a little slow going at first, but once I was able to get the gist of what was happening, it was riveting to see how it was going to end up. The story took place during a part of history that I was somewhat familiar with, and another that I am going to delve into further to learn more about. The only part I did not like was the use (though only 3) of what I consider cuss words. I felt like they were not needed, and I know that they were not used at the time the story was taking place. I enjoy my books better when I am not affronted by cuss words.

Would you ever read a future book by Louis Bayard?
Yes, I will try a few more books by Louis Bayard, as his story did intrigue me. I enjoyed THE BLACK TOWER, and will probably read it again in a short time.

Stacy from Fredericksburg, VA

Have you previously read a book by Louis Bayard?
This is my first book by Bayard.

What other historical fiction authors do you usually read?
This was my first time reading historical fiction.

What did you think of THE BLACK TOWER?
The book was ok.

Would you ever read a future book by Louis Bayard?
I probably will not read another book by him.

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