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cjeanne99's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Richard Shakespeare tells us his story
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
4.0
Richard Shakespeare does not get on with his brother William. However to save from starving Richard works in William's team of actors, usually playing the female roles which he hates. Desperate to have a better role, win his brother's approval and win the hand of the woman he loves, Richard tries to recapture the stolen manuscript to Romeo and Juliet. This leads him into conflict with the Pursuivants and a confrontation with his own past.
Bernard Cornwell has a reputation of a writer who tells tales of heroism and derring-do. I really enjoy his action novels but this is a real change of pace. Essentially a witty, light-hearted look at some real and some fictional events set in the latter years of Elizabeth's reign, this book is lightweight but that isn't a bad thing. Cornwell displays a lightness of touch where he needs to , but the depth of his understanding of Tudor life is evident and the dramatic scenes are written with his usual bravado. A homage to Shakespeare and his ilk, this is a genuinely enjoyable novel.
Bernard Cornwell has a reputation of a writer who tells tales of heroism and derring-do. I really enjoy his action novels but this is a real change of pace. Essentially a witty, light-hearted look at some real and some fictional events set in the latter years of Elizabeth's reign, this book is lightweight but that isn't a bad thing. Cornwell displays a lightness of touch where he needs to , but the depth of his understanding of Tudor life is evident and the dramatic scenes are written with his usual bravado. A homage to Shakespeare and his ilk, this is a genuinely enjoyable novel.
book_worm_91's review
1.0
Really didn't enjoy. It felt like a chore to read. Not my type of thing but it was the only English non romance book available at the hotel. Over half way through before the main part even happened, and it was over quick. Not sure I'd choose another of his to read.
arcta's review
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
astudyinpanic's review against another edition
3.0
Still not completely sure what I think about this book...
It was well written and gave a good sense of the time and everything but it was also kinda repetitive (was it really necessary to repeat the story of A Midsummer Night's Dream again and again..?I know they were studying it but still it just made me feel stupid to be told the same thing again and again) and often too much about descriptions of minure details. It also probably wasn't helpful that almost all of the story itself was written on the back of the book (more an oversight of the publisher than the author I know but it made the experience of reading the book a lot worse for me cause I expected the things there to happen rather early on before we get to the "real" story...). Really just read it again after finishing the book and it reads more like a summary than a blurb...
And really what does it tell you when two small paragraphs give you the whole story of an almost 500 pages long book..??
So yeah all in all I was not completely sold...
It was well written and gave a good sense of the time and everything but it was also kinda repetitive (was it really necessary to repeat the story of A Midsummer Night's Dream again and again..?I know they were studying it but still it just made me feel stupid to be told the same thing again and again) and often too much about descriptions of minure details. It also probably wasn't helpful that almost all of the story itself was written on the back of the book (more an oversight of the publisher than the author I know but it made the experience of reading the book a lot worse for me cause I expected the things there to happen rather early on before we get to the "real" story...). Really just read it again after finishing the book and it reads more like a summary than a blurb...
And really what does it tell you when two small paragraphs give you the whole story of an almost 500 pages long book..??
So yeah all in all I was not completely sold...
muhly22's review against another edition
4.0
I've always enjoyed historical fiction written by Bernard Cornwell. They may not be the premier literary fiction that wins awards and critical acclaim, but they never fail to entertain.
This book was set in Elizabethan England, around the Lord Chamberlain's Men - or William Shakespeare's company of actors. And yes, Shakespeare is in this book, fairly prominently. However, he is not the main character - that honor falls to Shakespeare's brother, a struggling actor, trying to make the transition from boy to man (a significant transition in the theatrical companies of the time).
Without going into too much detail and spoiling the book for any other readers, there is religious drama in this book - the Puritans hated the stage, after all. There is personal drama. There is violence - at least some. You will encounter grand politics - the queen and her Lord Chamberlain also appear.
This book is also hilarious. The best moments in the book are not the violence, or the politics, or the religious drama. It's the peeks behind the curtain that you get when the Lord Chamberlain's Men are rehearsing their new play. It's the inside jokes that you become a part of. Those are what you'll most remember when the book is done, not the danger, not the derring-do of the main character.
This book was set in Elizabethan England, around the Lord Chamberlain's Men - or William Shakespeare's company of actors. And yes, Shakespeare is in this book, fairly prominently. However, he is not the main character - that honor falls to Shakespeare's brother, a struggling actor, trying to make the transition from boy to man (a significant transition in the theatrical companies of the time).
Without going into too much detail and spoiling the book for any other readers, there is religious drama in this book - the Puritans hated the stage, after all. There is personal drama. There is violence - at least some. You will encounter grand politics - the queen and her Lord Chamberlain also appear.
This book is also hilarious. The best moments in the book are not the violence, or the politics, or the religious drama. It's the peeks behind the curtain that you get when the Lord Chamberlain's Men are rehearsing their new play. It's the inside jokes that you become a part of. Those are what you'll most remember when the book is done, not the danger, not the derring-do of the main character.
didactylos's review against another edition
5.0
A complete sideways move by the author, I was dubious that he could do this. No more battles, no more blood feuds. He brings to life the age, the spectacle and weaves a superb storyline- brilliant.
tmickey's review against another edition
Just wasn’t the right time for this type of story. I was kind of falling into a reading slump 😬
elodieanna's review
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fun
jyangelo's review against another edition
5.0
I gave up on Bernard Cornwall’s Vikings and Saxons historical novels because they were too gruesome. But I was happy to find this stand-alone novel set in Elizabethan England. The book immerses readers in the theatre life during Skakespeare’s ascent to greatness. There are interesting historical details and evocative scenes throughout, ending with a well-received performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The narrator is Shakespeare’s younger brother (he had a brother named Richard but his life here is fictional). There is humor, deception, ecclesiastical violence, Royal intrigue and lots of nice detail about the way plays were performed in Shakespeare’s time.
This book was perfect for audio because of all the dramatic content and narrator Thomas Judd handled it expertly.
This book was perfect for audio because of all the dramatic content and narrator Thomas Judd handled it expertly.