May 2008 Archives
I read a lot of Ellis Peters as a teenager, but this is the first historical crime fiction I've picked up for a while. There were a bunch of good reviews of the latest Matthew Shardlake novel, Revelation and when I spotted this in the most recent book sale in St Giles church, it was a obvious purchase.
Set in Tudor London in the latter years of Henry VIII's reign our hero, hunchback lawyer Matthew Shardlake, is called upon once more by Thomas Cromwell, this time to track down a recently unearthed barrel of Greek Fire. In return, Cromwell gives a fortnight's reprieve to Elizabeth Wentworth, the neice of a former client of Shardlake who stands accused of murdering her cousin. Accompanied by one of Cromwell's thugs for hire, the plot takes us through the murky streets and waterways of London in a race against time - if Shardlake cannot establish Elizabeth's innocence she will be pressed to death, and if Cromwell cannot demonstrate Greek Fire to the King his period as the second most powerful man in the land will end - and the balance of power will swing back to the Catholic Howard clan.
A very enjoyable read, with plenty of period detail particularly in the religious upheaval wrought by Reformation and the uncertainty that prevailed as a result.
Amazon.co.uk links:
I first read The Far Pavilions as a teenager and had totally forgotten that it is largely set in what is now Pakistan, and over the border in Afghanistan, which would have made it a good book for my Hindu Kush Adventure. My memory of the novel was that it was an overwhelming love story, but this aspect didn't really grab me in this recent second reading; rather it was the historically accurate narrative, with insights into the Great Game and the lack of understanding that led to the Second Afghan War. Published in 1978, the book's theme of the West not understanding the Rest still holds true. When will we ever learn?
Amazon.co.uk link: The Far Pavilions - M M Kaye
A lovely book - the kind where when you get to the last page you return to the start again and read everything with fresh insight. As with other Salley Vickers' novels, art comes to into play, ending up centre stage - I really enjoy the vicarious art education I get from her books. And if you're reading the hardback, take note of the dust jacket.
I had not realised that Salley Vickers had a former 'life' as an analyst; I presume she has drawn upon her experiences from that time in writing The Other Side of You, particularly in capturing the characters, their stories and inner thoughts and self analysis. It's not a happy book, but I found it a real page turner - given the opportunity I would have read it in one sitting. Instead it was evenings and a train/replacement rail journey between St Pancras and Milton Keynes.
Amazon.co.uk link: The Other Side of You - Salley Vickers