The Fire and the Light: A Novel of the Cathars

Having researched and written a historical novel myself about a period in history shrouded in mystery, Pharaoh of the Sun: Akhenaten and the Culture of Love, I can appreciate the depth and breadth of Craney's research that went into this book. He was no armchair researcher but travelled to the sites of the battles and massacres that took place in this novel. In the preface, he relates a dream he had in which the spirit of Esclarmonde de Foix came to him and asked him to tell the world her true story. Thus he was inspired by this muse to write a truthful account that doesn't pull any punches. If you're looking for a Medieval romance with a happy ending, look elsewhere. There is romance, but it's the Romeo and Juliet kind. However, if your looking for the true teachings of Christ that were passed down from Akhenaten to Moses, the Essenes, early Christians, Bogomils, and Cathars, then this book will provide you with some clues and food for thought. Toward the end, the story bogs down in a depressing account of the massacre at Montsegur, and there could be a lot more revelations about the true teachings of Christ, especially practical maxims that can help people today. Otherwise, it's a good read.

THE FIRE AND THE LIGHT: A Novel of the Cathars, Glen Craney, 2015Mr. Craney attempts to give us an idea of the Cathar religion and the persecution these people endured.Beginning in 1194 in the County of Foix, Occitania, in the southern region of what is now France, and ending in Baragoza, Aragon, 1250, we follow the life of Esclarmonde de Foix and her family and friends in their struggle to survive the savagery of the Northern French barons and vestiges of the Catholic Church. This is one of the many battles over religion.The pace is slow and methodical. I will keep this book to read again.

This satisfying debut puts us inside the hearts and minds of the factually-based characters; takes us through the dust, heat and hell of combat, and into the shadowy, cool caverns and hard-stone castles; and even lets us taste and smell what's on a 13th-century dining table. At times while reading it, I felt my heart pounding. The settings are magnificent, exotic, and painted with exact detail. The author moves the plot with such compelling flair that the book reads like a historical thriller. That's not just because of the story's global importance (consider the obvious comparisons to modern religious terrorism and The Da Vinci Code), but also the stimulating fact that he's not afraid to write to smart, fearless readers who want more than a ninth-grade level of historical fiction. Add up all the elements, and it's easy to see why this makes a combustible first effort: world-class scholarship, gut-level characterizations, you-are-there settings, and the kind of writing that went the way of the masters.

Very good story and appears to be well-researched and thought out. Not at all flattering to the Catholic Church or it's hierarchy, but it was the Middle Ages and ignorance was rampant. The characters are very accessible an plot development good. From what I do know about Gnosticism and the Cathars, the author has done a good job of conveying their faith and lives and the history of that period. Of the several books on this topic I have read, I'd recommend this one. A good, thoughtful, read.

Right from the beginning I found myself in the "then & there". Very well researched historically! A must read for anybody interested in the era of the cathars. My eyes were not left dry and it was sad to say goodbye to the book and its characters at the end. This book is written as fiction but has such a deep base in the history of the cathars ( much of their story is forever lost as it was never accurately - objectively - documented), thanks to books like these we may "remember" those that lost their lives in such a terrible way in such a terrible time.

This is a well-written book on a subject that needs to be told. Whether it is totally accurate from an historical point of view, I don't know. However, the subject of the gnostic religions and the persecutions they have endured needs to be told - over and over. They, perhaps, hold the key to breaking the spell that the Abrahamic religions have held over humankind, and help people to understand some true, original spiritual teachings.As far as the book itself, I have to say that I was totally engrossed in it from cover to cover.

I love this time period and I think other historical novel readers would enjoy it too. My only complaint is that some facts about the main character are wrong and that is very distracting tome. Now I wonder what else is inaccurate here

Glen Craney's novel The Fire and The Light is a rare gift to Humanity. A masterful writer, Mr. Craney here tells a true story within the framework of a novel, with all the twists and turns of a great epic historical spiritual thriller. Yet it reveals essential ageless truths long veiled by Western religions eager to keep the power for themselves. While ostensibly a true story of the Cathers and their charismatic female leader Esclarmonde, the reader is lovingly given access to the Essenes of the days of Jesus.

Quite well written, as fiction. I would suggest not taking the "historical" account, as to who the Cathars and similar groups were, as valid, in regards to their beliefs. (Many years ago, I and others researched the history of these groups, and they were far more the true Christians, hiding out and protecting the Biblical true Gospel, than they were depicted here - resembling the "Gnostic" Dualistic belief system. However, the brutality against them by the then very evil Catholic Church was all too accurate! This is a work of fiction, with a fetching storyline, in spite of the continuing violence (imho).

Loving this book...

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Had a hard time putting it down. I found the story line drawing me in. The characters and how they lived seemed so real. Religious clergy held so much power over the lives of everyone! It was a brutal time to live. Definitely a great read!

This novel deals with the experiences of a woman from a Cathar noble family during what became known as the Albigensian Crusade at the beginning of the 13th century. The central theme of the story concerns the love between Esclarmonde de Foix and Guilhelm, a Templar knight, but always in the background is the fearful ordeal of the Cathar people during the only crusade by the Church and the French monarchy agains fellow Christians. Mr Craney has done a good job in bringing to life a relatively unknown period of history. The death of Esclarmonde during the brutal siege of Montsegur is quite moving. It is an absorbing, if sad, tale.

A nice way to get a feel for why the Cathars are no longer around. Interesting use of story to carry the history and weave in some theories. It made me sad and angry at times but interested to continue learning more.