Normally, historical novels are not my cup of tea, but this one really is one to enjoy. Hopkins takes us back to the Middle Ages, to the Alsace, the border area between the Vosges and the Black Forest. He chronicles life in and around the fictional town of Hagenburg, where a Gothic cathedral is under construction in the 13th century. Contrary to what the title suggests, that cathedral is not the central focus of this novel, but a motley crew of characters. Hopkins follows different perspectives, and he varies the form through an alternation of 3rd person narrators, personal testimonials, diaries and letters, with the chronological line shifting each time.
To my surprise, Ben Hopkins turns out not to be a professional author at all (this is his first book), but a film director. That may explain the very smooth, scene-bound storytelling style that – at least for me – never drowns in historical details. And yet he brings a very rich, and above all correct, evocation of that medieval period: the poverty of most people, the cynical power game between various authorities, the rise of the bourgeoisie in the cities, the special place of Jews in medieval society , and on a higher level the Investiture Controversy between Pope and Emperor, and the rise of the Habsburg dynasty.
Don't expect a finished story: the characters come and go, happy events alternate with doom and gloom. What is striking is that almost every character, rich or poor, voiceless or powerful, sooner or later has to deal with his or her share of misery. Hopkins' message seems clear: it is an illusion to achieve permanent happiness in this earthly existence. There are no constants in this vale of tears, existence is embedded in a vortex of ever-changing circumstances. Hopkins illustrates this in a story that is absolutely worth reading, even for 600 pages. ( )