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sledge_hm's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
carolyn0613's review
5.0
I really loved this book. It was very well written, it felt very authentic, and it was a great story. Set in Elizabethan London, the story is of Shakespeare’s brother, the birth of the theatre and the plays written for these new venues. I haven’t read a book by Bernard Cromwell before as I didn’t think I would like them. This was said to be a departure from his normal style but I am now planning to read more of his work. The writing was excellent.
mjporterauthor's review against another edition
4.0
When I first read the blurb for this book (quite some time ago), I was disappointed and felt that despite all of Bernard Cornwell's prior success he had decided to sell his soul to Satan. The Tudors and the Elizabethan period, in particular, have, as far as I'm concerned, been done to death. I vowed I wouldn't read the book - I won't read anything that's Tudor/Elizabethan anymore because I can't believe that there's anything to say about the period that hasn't been covered elsewhere.
However, when this came up on NetGalley, I decided to take a chance. I'd read a few other reviews, and looked at the 'star' ratings on Goodreads and was just a bit curious.
My first impressions were not that great - it's a ridiculously easy book to read - even with all the quotations from the plays - but none of the characters are at all 'pleasant' and London, as ever, has been depicted as gross and disgusting (even if it's historically accurate, I'm sure that there's no need for such detail). It probably doesn't help that the book is set during the winter and so everyone is cold and freezing most of the time.
Yet, I was intrigued enough to keep on reading - quite avidly. And so I did. Slowly some of the characters developed a few more personable traits - Will Shakespeare is a grumpy man to his brother, but sometimes pleasant to others - his brother is needy and a little desperate. All of the other 'players' are sketched with firm strokes, although we never really get to know them well.
The storyline concerning the work of the players, the way the theatres of London worked, and the precariousness of their position, is told very well. But the 'main' story (perhaps - maybe it's not actually the main part after all - in true Shakespeare play within a play style) is a little weak and ends quite abruptly.
The story is at its best when describing the Shakespearian play being 'played' and it's here that most will find the story a real joy to read and will appreciate the vision of Shakespeare that Cromwell has.
It would perhaps have been better to release this book under a pseudonym. Fans of Uhtred will be disappointed - and those who love stories of Elizabethan England might be put off by the 'warlike' nature of many of Cromwell's previous books. It means that the people who would enjoy this book might miss it all together, whereas those who shouldn't read it, just might and will be disappointed by it.
It's a shame really. The book will more than likely be a huge commercial success - but in terms of ratings and reviews, it might well falter for these reasons.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel, although perhaps not quite as much as the wonderful Shakespeare 'comedy' written by Ben Elton on BBC2 at the moment, Upstart Crow (catch it on iPlayer as it has just finished on the TV).
However, when this came up on NetGalley, I decided to take a chance. I'd read a few other reviews, and looked at the 'star' ratings on Goodreads and was just a bit curious.
My first impressions were not that great - it's a ridiculously easy book to read - even with all the quotations from the plays - but none of the characters are at all 'pleasant' and London, as ever, has been depicted as gross and disgusting (even if it's historically accurate, I'm sure that there's no need for such detail). It probably doesn't help that the book is set during the winter and so everyone is cold and freezing most of the time.
Yet, I was intrigued enough to keep on reading - quite avidly. And so I did. Slowly some of the characters developed a few more personable traits - Will Shakespeare is a grumpy man to his brother, but sometimes pleasant to others - his brother is needy and a little desperate. All of the other 'players' are sketched with firm strokes, although we never really get to know them well.
The storyline concerning the work of the players, the way the theatres of London worked, and the precariousness of their position, is told very well. But the 'main' story (perhaps - maybe it's not actually the main part after all - in true Shakespeare play within a play style) is a little weak and ends quite abruptly.
The story is at its best when describing the Shakespearian play being 'played' and it's here that most will find the story a real joy to read and will appreciate the vision of Shakespeare that Cromwell has.
It would perhaps have been better to release this book under a pseudonym. Fans of Uhtred will be disappointed - and those who love stories of Elizabethan England might be put off by the 'warlike' nature of many of Cromwell's previous books. It means that the people who would enjoy this book might miss it all together, whereas those who shouldn't read it, just might and will be disappointed by it.
It's a shame really. The book will more than likely be a huge commercial success - but in terms of ratings and reviews, it might well falter for these reasons.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel, although perhaps not quite as much as the wonderful Shakespeare 'comedy' written by Ben Elton on BBC2 at the moment, Upstart Crow (catch it on iPlayer as it has just finished on the TV).
xavierdragnesi's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to give this 4 stars, but I think it's more like a 3.5
It was quite an enjoyable read, and Bernard Cornwell does a great job as usual of putting the reader quite vividly in the setting of late 16th century London, but I struggled to get really invested in the characters. Even Richard, though well rounded, didn't feel particularly engaging.
Nevertheless, some Shakespeare and some intriguing historical playhouse politics contributed to a decent storyline, and it was a nice little break from heavy fantasy.
It was quite an enjoyable read, and Bernard Cornwell does a great job as usual of putting the reader quite vividly in the setting of late 16th century London, but I struggled to get really invested in the characters. Even Richard, though well rounded, didn't feel particularly engaging.
Nevertheless, some Shakespeare and some intriguing historical playhouse politics contributed to a decent storyline, and it was a nice little break from heavy fantasy.
drjoannehill's review against another edition
2.0
There is about 30 pages of plot in this whole tedious thing. Richard Shakespeare is a poor hungry actor, that's about it. The blurb promised plots and intrigue, which takes up one or two chapters. Ends with a description of the entirety of A Midsummer Night's Dream when it was first played, down to where the audience laughed.
Two stars because it made me want to watch a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Two stars because it made me want to watch a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
rageofachilles's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first foray into the writings of Bernard Cornwell. I have wanted to read his King Arthur stuff, but since this was a stand alone novel, I decided to pick it up. It was very enjoyable, and read quickly. I can understand the appeal behind the writer. He is like Stephen King---but for Historical Fiction (sans horror).
dailydaydream's review against another edition
It bored me to death. All Richard does is bemoan his life and I just couldn't take it anymore.
shanellewrites's review against another edition
1.0
I feel bad saying this, but this book is a complete mess, from its structure down to its line editing. The first inciting event does not occur until 200 pages in. Guys. The book is 350 pages. So the thing that starts the main action of the book is well over halfway through, after 200 pages of set up. The inciting event then gets resolved in less than 50 pages with ridiculous ease and no real tension or obstacles at all. There is then a follow-up complication that gets introduced...which is then just as quickly and easily resolved with little to no tension or obstacles...again. The last 30 pages are then devoted to a painful summary of a performance of a Midsummer Night's Dream.
Those problems with structure would be bad and painful enough if they were the only problems, but there is clumsy writing everywhere and many cringeworthy line editing issues. I have heard amazing things about Bernard Cornwell, so I don't want to discount him, but I really hope his other books are better than this one.
Those problems with structure would be bad and painful enough if they were the only problems, but there is clumsy writing everywhere and many cringeworthy line editing issues. I have heard amazing things about Bernard Cornwell, so I don't want to discount him, but I really hope his other books are better than this one.
lisawreading's review against another edition
5.0
A fascinating 5-star read!
Fools and Mortals is a story about William Shakespeare’s acting troupe at the Theatre in London, told through the perspective of his younger brother Richard. Richard ran away from home in Stratford as a young teen to escape a cruel apprenticeship, but his brother isn’t exactly warm and welcoming.
A very lovely-looking young man, by age 21 Richard has spent years as a player at the Theatre, although not a full member (Sharer) with a stake in the earnings. When he performs, he earns money. When there’s no part for him, or when there are no performances due to bad weather, he gets nothing. Richard lives in a dingy boarding house, constantly threatened with being thrown out if he can’t pay his back rent, and resorts to petty thievery to keep from starving.
On stage, he specializes in women’s parts, but he wants to be taken seriously. He yearns to be allowed to grow up, cut his hair, grow a beard, and take on the significant male roles that will allow him greater status as an actor. But Will doesn’t seem to have any interest in his brother’s goals, and when he finally promises him a man’s role, there’s still a trick involved that means Richard will end up playing a woman once again.
Meanwhile, there’s intrigue and action afoot. Will has earned a commission to write a play to be performed at the wedding of the Lord Chamberlain’s daughter — the play that will become A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Will is also working on an Italian play, which will be Romeo and Juliet.
But rival companies are also building huge theaters, and original scripts are invaluable in the theater world. If another company can get their hands on one of Will’s plays, they’ll be able to perform it and Will will have no way to get it back or claim it.
So when the new scripts go missing, there’s plenty of suspicion, and Richard is one of those accused of stealing the scripts in order to make some needed money. It’s up to Richard to get them back, but doing so is likely the most dangerous thing he’s ever done.
I won’t go further into the plot itself, but trust me — it’s fascinating! I loved the characters and the behind the scenes look at how a play like A Midsummer Night’s Dream came into being. Through Fools and Mortals, we get to see the complicated business of patronage and protection, the terrifying power of the Persuivants (known as Percies) — the vehemently Puritanical force who have the power to arrest and convict anyone suspected of heresy — as they threaten the players, and the deadly serious competition and scheming related to gaining and keeping players and scripts.
William Shakespeare himself comes off as cold and heartless when it comes to his brother, but of course, we do get to see his brilliance as well. I was enthralled by the descriptions of how the players learn their parts, figure out the staging, interact with their audiences, and more.
This book was such a treat! So thank you, once again, to my book group, for getting me to read a book that I probably would have completely missed otherwise.
If you enjoy Shakespeare, historical fiction, the Elizabethan era, theatrical history, or really, just plain good writing, check out Fools and Mortals!
Fools and Mortals is a story about William Shakespeare’s acting troupe at the Theatre in London, told through the perspective of his younger brother Richard. Richard ran away from home in Stratford as a young teen to escape a cruel apprenticeship, but his brother isn’t exactly warm and welcoming.
A very lovely-looking young man, by age 21 Richard has spent years as a player at the Theatre, although not a full member (Sharer) with a stake in the earnings. When he performs, he earns money. When there’s no part for him, or when there are no performances due to bad weather, he gets nothing. Richard lives in a dingy boarding house, constantly threatened with being thrown out if he can’t pay his back rent, and resorts to petty thievery to keep from starving.
On stage, he specializes in women’s parts, but he wants to be taken seriously. He yearns to be allowed to grow up, cut his hair, grow a beard, and take on the significant male roles that will allow him greater status as an actor. But Will doesn’t seem to have any interest in his brother’s goals, and when he finally promises him a man’s role, there’s still a trick involved that means Richard will end up playing a woman once again.
Meanwhile, there’s intrigue and action afoot. Will has earned a commission to write a play to be performed at the wedding of the Lord Chamberlain’s daughter — the play that will become A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Will is also working on an Italian play, which will be Romeo and Juliet.
But rival companies are also building huge theaters, and original scripts are invaluable in the theater world. If another company can get their hands on one of Will’s plays, they’ll be able to perform it and Will will have no way to get it back or claim it.
So when the new scripts go missing, there’s plenty of suspicion, and Richard is one of those accused of stealing the scripts in order to make some needed money. It’s up to Richard to get them back, but doing so is likely the most dangerous thing he’s ever done.
I won’t go further into the plot itself, but trust me — it’s fascinating! I loved the characters and the behind the scenes look at how a play like A Midsummer Night’s Dream came into being. Through Fools and Mortals, we get to see the complicated business of patronage and protection, the terrifying power of the Persuivants (known as Percies) — the vehemently Puritanical force who have the power to arrest and convict anyone suspected of heresy — as they threaten the players, and the deadly serious competition and scheming related to gaining and keeping players and scripts.
William Shakespeare himself comes off as cold and heartless when it comes to his brother, but of course, we do get to see his brilliance as well. I was enthralled by the descriptions of how the players learn their parts, figure out the staging, interact with their audiences, and more.
This book was such a treat! So thank you, once again, to my book group, for getting me to read a book that I probably would have completely missed otherwise.
If you enjoy Shakespeare, historical fiction, the Elizabethan era, theatrical history, or really, just plain good writing, check out Fools and Mortals!