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krin's review against another edition
4.25
The story was compelling overall but the pacing didn't always work for me.
Also, this story was truly heartbreaking to me.
Also, this story was truly heartbreaking to me.
persychan's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I can't say I liked it but that isn't for any fault of the book, just that it isn't what I thought it would be and definitely not in my range. That said, I still give it 4 stars because I can recognise that it's incredible and wonderfully written book, with one of the most well-done examples of an unreliable narrator, to the point that you really care, feel and support Francis Bacon, and he's a full-time b*stard XD.
While I was not too fond of the anachronistic style of Francis' narrator voice (and a little too many swear words for my taste) it is a splendid narrative of the historical events and while not necessarily accurate, they are definitely possible or at least plausible, allowing you to enjoy the intrigues of the court and the terrible people that make it up.
And on the topic, I want to make it very clear that most/all the characters of this book are either awful, terrible with each other, egocentric or just in such a position to have to do quite awful things, and while it can be a very funny book in some place (because of the narration) it's also heartbreaking and quite dark in other.
I can't say I liked it but that isn't for any fault of the book, just that it isn't what I thought it would be and definitely not in my range. That said, I still give it 4 stars because I can recognise that it's incredible and wonderfully written book, with one of the most well-done examples of an unreliable narrator, to the point that you really care, feel and support Francis Bacon, and he's a full-time b*stard XD.
While I was not too fond of the anachronistic style of Francis' narrator voice (and a little too many swear words for my taste) it is a splendid narrative of the historical events and while not necessarily accurate, they are definitely possible or at least plausible, allowing you to enjoy the intrigues of the court and the terrible people that make it up.
And on the topic, I want to make it very clear that most/all the characters of this book are either awful, terrible with each other, egocentric or just in such a position to have to do quite awful things, and while it can be a very funny book in some place (because of the narration) it's also heartbreaking and quite dark in other.
eevee's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I struggled a bit with this! As unreliable narrators go, its a satisfying narrative. I just didn't spark anything in me.
I love historical fiction. I believe that it can tell us things about the past that are otherwise impossible to access. I don't feel like I gained insight into many pieces of truth here. Francis Bacon's experiences of homophobia are painfully similar to modern day experiences, in a way that I felt was a bit shallow and false. This was epitomised by the use of modern slurs. I felt similarly in regard to some of the secondary characters, who often seemed like pantomime villains in their bigotry. I can really love anachronism, but this didn't do it for me.
I love historical fiction. I believe that it can tell us things about the past that are otherwise impossible to access. I don't feel like I gained insight into many pieces of truth here. Francis Bacon's experiences of homophobia are painfully similar to modern day experiences, in a way that I felt was a bit shallow and false. This was epitomised by the use of modern slurs. I felt similarly in regard to some of the secondary characters, who often seemed like pantomime villains in their bigotry. I can really love anachronism, but this didn't do it for me.
mooswandern's review against another edition
3.0
This was a weird book. But I (mostly) liked reading it!
It took me some time to get into it but after reading the first twenty percent I started to enjoy it. At first I thought that I might dnf it since the writing style has some characteristics I usually don't like - like for example being addressed as a reader by the narrator but after having read it I think the style fit really well to the story and the main character. I didn't go into this expecting a historically accurate story and I probably wouldn't recommend it to someone who looks for historically accurate books about real people. (I am actually not sure whom I would recommend it to.) But I still (or it might have because of the, maybe deliberate, anachronisms) had a fun reading and was fascinated by the main character and his development throughout the story.
3.5 stars
[This book was provided via Netgalley as an arc in exchange for an honest review.]
It took me some time to get into it but after reading the first twenty percent I started to enjoy it. At first I thought that I might dnf it since the writing style has some characteristics I usually don't like - like for example being addressed as a reader by the narrator but after having read it I think the style fit really well to the story and the main character. I didn't go into this expecting a historically accurate story and I probably wouldn't recommend it to someone who looks for historically accurate books about real people. (I am actually not sure whom I would recommend it to.) But I still (or it might have because of the, maybe deliberate, anachronisms) had a fun reading and was fascinated by the main character and his development throughout the story.
3.5 stars
[This book was provided via Netgalley as an arc in exchange for an honest review.]
rebeccatcm's review against another edition
4.0
Holy moly! The first line and we’re off…
The Dangerous Kingdom of Love recounts the downfall of Francis Bacon, Robert Carr et al, which is fascinating in itself, but with Blackmore’s added, imaginings and behind closed doors frolics and filling in of blanks, this is superb.
It is narrated by Bacon in the first person and addressed to the reader, to whom he frequently speaks. There are wicked asides, confidences, stage whispers all for our ears (or is that eyes?) only, which create great intimacy and a feeling of being right at the centre of the machinations. Blackmore uses a mix of sixteenth century and contemporary language, which holds the flavour of the age but allows a modern flow; it also works extremely well for the asides.
A word of warning though…this is not for everyone; and I know some people will find the subject distasteful and the language unacceptable. There is much use of both the F and C words but remember, these were not considered offensive in the sixteenth century. There’s a fair amount of sex and sexual references, which whilst crude, are never graphic.
This book is shocking, scandalous, witty, sad, tender. The history is accurate, the portrayals convincing.
Neil Blackmore is a very skilled writer.
Neil Blackmore writes like Hilary Mantel on acid.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House/Cornerstone for the Advanced Reader Copy ofd the book which I have voluntarily reviewed.
The Dangerous Kingdom of Love recounts the downfall of Francis Bacon, Robert Carr et al, which is fascinating in itself, but with Blackmore’s added, imaginings and behind closed doors frolics and filling in of blanks, this is superb.
It is narrated by Bacon in the first person and addressed to the reader, to whom he frequently speaks. There are wicked asides, confidences, stage whispers all for our ears (or is that eyes?) only, which create great intimacy and a feeling of being right at the centre of the machinations. Blackmore uses a mix of sixteenth century and contemporary language, which holds the flavour of the age but allows a modern flow; it also works extremely well for the asides.
A word of warning though…this is not for everyone; and I know some people will find the subject distasteful and the language unacceptable. There is much use of both the F and C words but remember, these were not considered offensive in the sixteenth century. There’s a fair amount of sex and sexual references, which whilst crude, are never graphic.
This book is shocking, scandalous, witty, sad, tender. The history is accurate, the portrayals convincing.
Neil Blackmore is a very skilled writer.
Neil Blackmore writes like Hilary Mantel on acid.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House/Cornerstone for the Advanced Reader Copy ofd the book which I have voluntarily reviewed.
emmalibby's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jackbyne's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
stardustandstories's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lewis999's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
The tale of the inevitable and scandalous fall from power of Francis Bacon. Read this in a day. Would recommend if into queer history.
For somebody who is not familiar with the story of Francis Bacon, this was very shocking. Bacon is an unreliable narrator- something hinted at from the start with "Everyone says I am the cleverest man in England" which undoubtedly is not true.. (there is no way everybody says that.. like he may think it.. but not in actuality..).
However, despite this glaringly obvious clue, I took his story at word. I believed the narrative - that he was a good guy, he was moral and trying to help. After finishing the book, I look back on the repeated comments about being moral, clever and creating a revolution as something he did to make himself feel better.. To try to convince himself of his innocence and goals.
I am so used to the narrator being the hero, to the narrator being the one in the right that when I got to the end and saw how Bacon fucked over Villiers.. how he groomed a child into becoming part of his political scheme and then seduced him.. I sat back and realised I need to question the narrators more often. Looking back, there are so many holes in his story.. so many obvious biases... And yet I was blind to them because Bacon voiced them in such a convincing manner.
I didnt realise how old Villiers was. The power imbalance was dodgy enough, let alone the age difference. Villiers had no choice.
I liked the technique of an unreliable narrator. Would definitely read similar books. Has changed my way of reading.
"And when I asked you to kill the Carrs, remember, you said yes, and why? Because of my arse. You almost killed people because of my arse. Sift that through your morality."
For somebody who is not familiar with the story of Francis Bacon, this was very shocking. Bacon is an unreliable narrator- something hinted at from the start with "Everyone says I am the cleverest man in England" which undoubtedly is not true.. (there is no way everybody says that.. like he may think it.. but not in actuality..).
However, despite this glaringly obvious clue, I took his story at word. I believed the narrative - that he was a good guy, he was moral and trying to help. After finishing the book, I look back on the repeated comments about being moral, clever and creating a revolution as something he did to make himself feel better.. To try to convince himself of his innocence and goals.
I am so used to the narrator being the hero, to the narrator being the one in the right that when I got to the end and saw how Bacon fucked over Villiers.. how he groomed a child into becoming part of his political scheme and then seduced him.. I sat back and realised I need to question the narrators more often. Looking back, there are so many holes in his story.. so many obvious biases... And yet I was blind to them because Bacon voiced them in such a convincing manner.
I didnt realise how old Villiers was. The power imbalance was dodgy enough, let alone the age difference. Villiers had no choice.
I liked the technique of an unreliable narrator. Would definitely read similar books. Has changed my way of reading.
"And when I asked you to kill the Carrs, remember, you said yes, and why? Because of my arse. You almost killed people because of my arse. Sift that through your morality."