Why a Booktrail?
Late 1600s: an unsettling tale of a time of witchcraft, of public executions. Where science and the supernatural intertwine
The Willow King
What you need to know before your trail
Estonia, at the end of the seventeenth century: Laurentius arrives in the country, accompanied by a rose-ringed parakeet and hounded by melancholy. He has come to study the latest research – on bloodletting, the evil eye, the position of the soul in the body… Meanwhile, the poor are being devoured by hunger and the city walls of his university town don’t keep them out; in his feverish sleep he dreams of a king with a high crown, and his waking life is stalked by paranoia.
Travel Guide
The Medieval tour of Tartu – Estonia’s history
Laurentius Hylas, a university student arrives in late 17th century Dorpat (present-day Tartu) and his life changes considerably as the city and it’s not long before he becomes the monarch.
Friedenthal states that some of the book is based on Virgil’s Georgics Book IV and the story of Orpheus and Eurydice and bees also feature heavily. The title of the book referes to how the king goes out into the forest to gather willow tree bark as a cure for his fever . People are suspcious but this is said to be a real life remedy as the bark contains something very similar to aspirin apparently.
Forts
Estonia’s forts have been a feature of the landscape for hundreds of years and back in the 13th century as is apparent in The Willow King, they played a part in the Kingdom’s fortunes .
Devil’s Bridge
The name of this bridge is enough to warrant a visit and reflect on the subject matter in this book despite not dating from as early as the 13th century
Churches in Estonia
Churches have played an important role in Estonia’s culture and politics ever since the 13th century when German crusaders arrived in the town. The book is focused on this period and the role of the churches and religious texts . The Medieval churches in particular were monumental projects that drew Europe’s best artistic talent with an interior and exterior that to this day can be admired in full grandeur.
Tähtvere Manor/Tähtvere mõis
Tähtvere Manor, used to be a part of Nõo Parish. It belonged to the Bishop of Tartu during the Middle Ages
Booktrailer Review
Susan: @thebooktrailer
“The Willow King” by Meelis Friedenthal is a book you cannot judge by its cover but is one that funnily enough, you must. It’s a bit like a magic eye picture for the longer you look, the more you see and then as you look a second time, you see something else and then something else you haven not noticed before. It’s a cover that makes you wonder and as I finished the book the content had had the same effect.
There’s so much to this book and so many layers that it’s a book to read and reread. There’s the mix of old and new, the fight for modern and traditional and the mythical themes of Shakespearean type stories which float and feature on every page.
I would read the author’s note before you start reading the novel as it will help to explain a few things. And then read it afterwards to see how much you understood. This is not an easy read but is a challenging one and if your brain is ready for it, there are rich rewards to be had.
Booktrail Boarding Pass: The Willow King
Author/Guide: Meelis Friedenthal Destination: Tartu, Estonia Departure Time: 1600s
Back to ResultsWhere Next?
