Tristan and Isolde

Tristan and Isolde are about two young people who are from very different lands/ homes and they fall in love with each other. This tragic love story is set in medieval times.

In the beginning, Tristan has had a rough life with his parents dying when he was very young, and being raised by the man who became king after the Irish invaded them. Tristan has lived a great life since then, and is royalty. Isolde on the other hand, lost her mother when she was young and was raised by her father who is also a king in Ireland. They both have had to live through some harsh times, but I think it made them who they are when they meet. Isolde has become nice, caring and beauty. Tristan has become hard, dark, anger driven and brave/ heroic.
When they first meet. Tristan had fought against the Irish and everyone thought he was dead. He had a ceremony and floated on the burning boat out to sea. Ends up still alive and in Ireland, where Isolde had run away for some space with her body guard, discovering Tristan on the shore. Isolde cares for his wounds and heals him back together. When they introduce themselves Isolde lies and says that she is a servant. But they still end up getting to know each other slowly and fall in love with each other.

When Tristan returns home, everybody is joyful. But his king/ father feels lonely and needs a wife. So Tristan goes to Ireland to fight on behalf of the king to win his wife. After Tristan wins the game and wins his kings wife, he discovers that the princess was Isolde.

After a while of unhappiness, Tristan and Isolde are still drawn to each other, even they could never really be together ever. Isolde is married to the king and Tristan can’t disobey his king/ father/ the man who raised him after his real parents died. But in time they end up hiding their love form everyone and remain to live their lives. Until they are caught, and the king finds out.

Later a war breaks out and Tristan is hurt, Isolde feels like it’s the end of the world and never returns to her life.


I think that this was a very interesting book. I loved how their love was forbidden, it gave it a nice twist. I can relate to this story in many ways. When I had my first boyfriend I hid our relationship from both of my parents and brother. I didn't want them to know what I was doing with my life. I can be very closed when it comes to my family. I just felt that they didn't need to know what i was doing in my life. Sometimes I would tell them things, but I gave minor details, and i seem to do this still today with my parents. I feel I can tell my brother things now since he is older and now he understands more about life.

I think that there is a lot of elements of surprise. I this story the main characters don't ever know what to expect. But they know what to do in time of danger.