I want to read a good novel about medieval people with great adventures.Do you know any?

Answer 1

The Outlaw of Torn by Edgar Rice Burroughs
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product//1592244874

From a review:

"This is a great Medieval adventure story concerning Norman, the Outlaw of Torn. The book tells the tale of the best swordsman in the world, a Frenchman who is enslaved to an English King. The Frenchman despises the King so much that he thinks up the ultimate revenge. He will steal the King's infant son Norman, and train him to be the second best sword in the world and let him kill his own father. He succeeds in the kidnapping and the child grows to manhood learning everything the Frenchman can teach him. The plans go awry as Norman befriends a Monk in the woods who teaches him Chivalry.It has been said before, but this would make a great motion picture. There is a sword fight in the book that goes on for nearly 5 pages and is one of the most exciting passages in literature that I ever read. I guess this book has been overshadowed by Burrough's more famous creations, John Carter and Tarzan, but should not be overlooked for someone looking for a great read."

Answer 2

Bernard Cornwell has written several series of books dealing with the middle ages. His series on King Arthur (emphasis on adventure and political intrigue rather than magic) begins with The Winter King. The time is the dark ages, so it may be earlier than what you're looking for, but the books are worth reading. The same author has a series on the Holy Grail that begins with The Archer's Tale. Amazon.com has this description:

"A brutal raid on the quiet coastal English village of Hookton in 1342 leaves but one survivor: a young archer named Thomas. On this terrible dawn, his purpose becomes clear -- to recover a stolen sacred relic and pursue to the ends of the earth the murderous black-clad knight bearing a blue-and-yellow standard, a journey that leads him to the courageous rescue of a beautiful French woman, and sets him on his ultimate quest: the search for the Holy Grail."

Cornwell also has a series dealing with King Alfred the Great (9th century). The first book is The Last Kingdom.

I've had several people tell me Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth is their favorite book, so it's worth checking out.

Ellis Peters wrote a very popular series of medieval mystery novels about Brother Cadfael (a monk/detective) that begins with A Morbid Taste for Bones.

Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose is a wonderful, but highly intellectual, medieval mystery.

Stephen R. Lawhead has a series of books that are very popular. Amazon.com has this description of the first book, called Byzantium:

"The bestselling author of the Pendragon Cycle now tells the story of Aidan, a 10th-century Irish monk sent to take the Book of Kells to the Byzantine Emperor in Constantinople. Separated from his fellow pilgrims, Aidan undergoes various exotic adventures, including capture by and life with Vikings, political intrigue in the Byzantine court, enslavement in a caliph's mine and loss of his all-important faith in God."

Answer 3

The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett. It's a fantastic book, but it's also a very long book. The Physician, by Noah Gordon, is also very entertaining.

Answer 4

The Mists of Avalon
(King Arthur story from a female perspective)

Answer 5

Timeline, by Michael Crichton

Answer 6

The name of the rose by Umberto Ecco

Answer 7

Sir Walter Scott's 'Ivanhoe' maybe, Mmm
'Lorna Doone'