The Road to Jerusalem: Book One of the Crusades Trilogy

by: Jan Guillou; Translated by Steven T. Murray

Published by: Harper

Reviewed by Diane Snyder

Born in 1150 as the second son of a noble family in Sweden, Arn Magnusson’s destiny was marked starting with the vision his mother had just prior to his birth. Later, after recovering from a childhood accident that was perceived as a miracle, Arn’s parents promised his life to the service of God. Making good on that promise, Arn, at age five, was taken to a monastery in Varnhem, Sweden, and spent the next twelve years being taught and trained by Cistercian monks.

Because it was the belief by all that God had a special design for Arn, he was taught skills by each monk at the monastery to prepare him for God’s purpose. Arn was bright and excelled in all his studies including languages, scriptures, agriculture, and most of all, weapons of war and horsemanship where his talents were extraordinary. The skills of a warrior and the love of horses were taught him by Brother Guilbert, a former Knight Templar, who felt he knew what Arn’s destiny would be.

Knowing little of the outer world, it was decided Arn should experience life outside the monastery before taking his vows. Arn’s innocence and innate sense of right is both a gift and a curse for him as he returns to the world, unprepared for its reality. Not only is he mocked and ridiculed but he is underestimated by everyone, including his family.

The author gives much individuality to each of his many characters and his perfect prose unfolds the developing life of Arn Magnusson as he discovers that living in the real world requires many confessions and penitence – one of which will change his life forever and set him on the road to fulfilling his fate.

Road to Jerusalem is the first book in the Crusades Trilogy written by Jan Guillou in 1998. This trilogy is one of the most popular Swedish fiction series of all time and has been made into a movie and translated into twenty languages. The author has taken some Swedish history, added a superb story and created a great novel.

Armchair Interviews agrees this is a 5-star historical fiction read.