November 2005 Archives

Another excellent historical read from Philippa Gregory (on loan from Janette), this time covering the early years of Elizabeth I's reign, the rise to power and fall from grace of her favourite Robert Dudley, the political machinations of Cecil, the religious uncertainty of the early decades of the protestant religion, the marital manoeuverings of various European powers, and the untimely death of Lord Dudley's wife, Amy.

Philippa Gregory succeeds in making you appreciate that not only is history written by the winners, but also that the focus on political history masks the domestic and day to day events and relationships that underpin those politics. However, in revealing the day to day behaviours of the great and the good, Philippa Gregory also draws a cast of characters most of whom we know of already yet none of whom are particularly likeable. Although this in itself does not mean that the book is any less worth a read, it does mean you are not drawn into the novel so readily. In fact, what I particularly liked about this novel was the author's end note, which in essence states that, "This is based on a true story", the bare outline of which I knew. However the detail of that truth delivers a far more fascinating scenario than I'd hitherto imagined.

Hmmm, what next? I had a few false starts before I got to this book ... do I go back to The Saskiad (the promise of the random paras I read in the second hand shop in Hereford didn't stand up to closer scrutiny), or further back to White Mughals (a bit heavy going, although very good on the detail) .... or on to something completely different?

Buy it: Amazon link

Oh dear - over a fortnight to read a 368 page crime novel. Proof indeed that I need to take a break from Sue Grafton and her leading lady Kinsey Millhone.

The twist in this installment is that Kinsey is working in the cold, closed, inland environment of Nota Lake, a million miles away from her home turf of Santa Theresa. She's hired to find out about the final days of the local smalltown cop, by his widow who wants to understand what was obviously on his mind in the run up to his apparently natural death. Kinsey soon realises that her employer, Selma, is as unpopular and disliked in the town as her husband, Tom, was popular and beloved. It's a novel about insiders and outsiders, communities closing ranks and 'the enemy' prizing a way through.

Buy it: Amazon link