Epic

The second "Hobbit" movie was Jack's movie choice of today. The Lord of the Rings is truly an epic story, wouldn't you say? Epic, is exactly the word I use to describe my new favorite historic novel, Here Be Dragons!

The story took place in 1200s in England and Wales. It is a true story about King John, his bastard daughter Joan (Joanna in the book), and the Welsh prince, Llewelyn Fawr (Llewelyn the great). It was the best way to explore England and Wales in the Middle Ages, the king, the queen, their barons, their children and their enemies. The wars, schemes, and marriages between England and Wales were all told in lengthy details with superb writing.

Thus, Llewelyn became my new hero. Like the heroes in those Chinese Kung Fu legend stories, which I was so intrigued with as a teenager, I am now fascinated with this Welsh prince who not only was the great warrior and strategist who united the Welsh to fight against the English Crown, but also a great lover to his young princess, Joanna. What a story with so much ups and downs of wars, calculations, blood and love. The most amazing thing is, the dramatic story is mostly based on real people and events!

I have been researching everything Welsh, their people and features, e.g. red hair or dark skin tone, culture, the Welsh laws and genealogy.  Every night we watch movie, I would curiously look up actors/actresses to see if they have Welsh ancestry. For example, Catherine Zeta Jones, Michael Sheen, Anthony Hopkins are Welsh, and Mary Steenburgen has Welsh ancestry on her mother's side. Every time I found such information, I chuckle with joy.

For a few weeks, I can say I am having a sort of "Welsh Fever". There are two other books after Dragons, but everything goes down-hill after Llewelyn the great.

One may complain that the book is too wordy, and it can be. Others may also complain that this is more of a romantic novel, and it is in some ways, but I am a girl who enjoys great romantic stories, so there you have it.