Reviews

A Burnable Book by Bruce Holsinger

caffeinatedcinephile's review against another edition

The premise of the book sounded just what I like in a book and for about the first 100 pages it was a good read, but then it was a struggle to read the next 100 pages. It was a combination of things that let the story down. For me the story felt more like it was set in 1583, not 1383, but that didn't inherently distract from the story telling. The characters were flat, nothing made me want to know more about them. I felt it switched characters too frequently, and between too many of them.

Solid idea, but not executed well.

crystalvaughan0603's review against another edition

5.0

I totally forgot to move this to my "currently reading" shelf! Whoops!!!

Anyway, this book got off to a bit of a slow start, but once the plot began, I couldn't stop turning pages. Definitely a recommendation.

bookherd's review against another edition

3.0

Told mostly from the perspective of a contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer's, a fellow poet, John Gower. It has details of daily life in 14th century England (and Spain and Italy), historical events and characters, and a complex mystery that takes almost the whole book to unravel. Very enjoyable.

ashkitty93's review against another edition

2.0

The time period made this interesting, but I zoned out a lot (sorry Simon). Indifferent by the end, unfortunately.

magpiewithpebbles's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

beemini's review against another edition

2.0

DNF. It's for someone who knows the political history of this medieval time period, as it doesn't really explain the English crown intrigues and expects you to pick up.

silvej01's review against another edition

3.0

The great strength of this book is the convincing depiction of 14th century London. I felt a pleasurable sense of immersion in that world. The characters include the widest spectrum of the social strata—from King Richard II through nobles, churchman and nuns, professionals, poets, lawyers, service workers, prostitutes, down to street urchins. All are well drawn and believable. For me, a relatively mild weakness was the plot, which was at times was convoluted and strained credibility. Still, this book offers a rare and worthwhile opportunity to walk the streets of medieval London and its environs.

dave_white's review against another edition

3.0

I've struggled to keep reading and I could blame summer's mood, but truth told it kinda lacked that additional energy. But serious historical fictions fan's shouldn't be disappointed.

draconic_mercury's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

eososray's review against another edition

4.0

Over the last few years I've really jumped into the historical fiction genre and have managed to read a whole lot them. From classics to living masters to those with mass appeal and those without and quite a few first attempts at fiction. The last applying to this book. And if I hadn't already known that fact, I would never have found out from the quality of the writing or the story. This is a well written book by a man who really loves his subject.
I absolutely appreciate that there are no info dumps, that everything you need to know is incorporated into the story in a believable way. I love the type of book that can really transport you to the time and era, that can make you understand the lives and feelings of the people, how they lived and survived, what it would have been like to live in that part of town or work in a certain trade. I think this story really did that.
I also liked the mystery of the second story, the one in italics. That I didn't quite know what it was about or who it was about but that it revealed itself at just the right moments.

For me it could get a little descriptive. Too many small aspects were explained in too much detail. And the end took too long in my mind, I just wanted to get on with it already.

Some wonderful characters and fascinating history make this a very good read. I am happy to know that at least one more book with John Gower is in the works.