Celestial Chess

by Thomas Bontly

Book Overview

American scholar and lettered medievalist, David Fairchild, swings a plum sabbatical at Cambridge University, where he is given full access to a rare manuscript written by a mad monk of shameful... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345286782
• ISBN13: 9780345286789
• Release Date: April 1980
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Engrossing mystery

The Plot: A young American researcher at an English college is forced to stop his work on a medieval manuscript when the special collections section is closed due to the death in the library of the collections head. The manuscript is an obscure work in the form of a convoluted poem written by a monk during the reign of Henry II. Other deaths occur connected to people who've had access to the manuscript, and as the American looks for other ways to continue his work he becomes embroiled in the family history of one of his professors, which may include a haunting by the long-dead monk. My review: I found this to be a well-written tale that kept my interest. It's one of those books that alternates between the present day and a period in the past, which I generally find not to my liking. But this was well constructed and although the ending was a big confusing, it left me satisfied.

A excellent, haunting book...

Celestial Chess is gripping, to say the least. The supernatural theme that carries you through the book never let's you go. The eerie feeling that accompanies the words written on the pages keeps you interested and the story is truly excellent.Unfortunately, some small flaws in the story stop you half way through the book and the hero is not that likable--at least I think so...To be brief, an excellent read.