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UCFC Book Reviews The French Executioner by C.C. Humphreys Review by V. Bjerreskov (04 02 22) ISBN 1552782956, published 2001 I'll admit it, I like a good adventure. Many people do, hence the popularity of characters like Indiana Jones, James Bond, Jack Aubrey, and others. They are fearless, heroic, idealistic with an edge of sarcasm, and above all, whatever the problems they face, they will always, without fail, succeed. Add Jean Rombaud to this list; he certainly deserves to join the Hero's Club. The French Executioner is an easy read. The story is not overly complex: man cuts off Anne Boleyn's head and six-fingered hand, and at her request, attempts to bury the hand at a crossroads in France - various adventures ensue. Humphreys has done his research on the period, and has included many interesting tidbits, like a Black Mass, an encounter with St. Anthony's Fire, and a naval battle using galleys. Along the way, his main character, Jean Rombaud, accumulates a disparate group of associates, who form a kind of cadre of people seeking adventure, a simpler and happier life, and a cause, all three at once. The story is fun, and I kept turning the pages. Humphreys is a fencer, a stage writer and choreographer, and an ex-pat Canadian, and all these influences come out in his work. His action sequences read like choreography instructions enhanced by descriptive language. His characters sometimes speak in jarringly modern syntax, and often the lines come across as stage written (it wouldn't surprise me in the least if this book has been optioned for a movie). And Humphrey's characters, despite their completely different cultural backgrounds (French, Norwegian, Italian, and Croatian Muslim) are all extraordinarily Canadian in their essential elements: polite, quietly stubborn, and committed. As I said, this was a fun book, and I kept reading, but when I reached the end, I felt a bit like I do after having eaten a box of Kraft Dinner: full, but not completely satisfied. Despite the enormous promise of the story, Humphreys is lacking a little on the writing end. His characters have a tendency towards the melodramatic, as does much of his prose. The players are also essentially static, with few changes occurring, and more often than not come across as stereotypes rather than as real original characters. Humphreys also has problems with point of view, sometimes switching two or three times in a page, and jarring the reader out of his universe as they try to figure out who is actually doing the talking. And then we must talk about the fact that he has crammed everything into this novel. In his foreword, he writes, "I decided that since this was my novel I would put into it everything I loved" (p. vii). He isn't joking, either. The fact that everything happens (I won't spoil the novel for you by telling you what that means) makes the story just that little bit too unbelievable. I'm all for suspension of disbelief, but it can only take me so far. The fact that he wrote a sequel shocks me, as I didn't think there was anything left to write about. Part of my process in writing a review is to read what others, especially professional reviewers, have to say about the book or movie in question. Everyone loved this book. I mean, really loved it. Adored it, even. It baffles me, actually, that no reviewer I could find mentioned the deficiencies I noted above. Is it just me? And yet things like point of view and character development are so elemental to good story-telling, I simply can't let them go. But it is a good adventure. And it is full of fascinating historical information. And if you can put aside the fact that the characters are stereotypes and sometimes speak a little strangely, they are good people to spend a few days with. And, despite the elementary technical difficulties, Humphreys' prose is easy to read. So if you're looking for an escapist, fun adventure story, read The French Executioner. The French Executioner retails in mass market paperback for $10.99 Cdn at Chapters. The sequel, Blood Ties (ISBN 155278357X), also retails for $10.99 at Chapters. I will endeavour to review it at a later date. Back to Book Reviews Home  |  About Us   |  About Fencing   |  Links  |  Photo Gallery Image Bank  |  Reviews   |  Fencing Fun  |  Contact Us