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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
The book was not your typical mystery novel. It begins with a police inspector injured by all things, by falling through a trapdoor. Inspector Grant in interested in faces. One of his friends brought him several portraits of individuals involved in mystery. In the stack was a portrait of Richard III. To end his boredom while bedbound, he looks into the history surrounding Edward IV, Richard III, the Princes in the Tower, and Henry VII. With the help of a young American working at the British Museum, they build a case against the true villian in the story and what really happened to the sons of Edward IV, known as the Princes in the Tower.
I found this book engrossing. It is a quick read with just over 200 pages. I will be reading more of the books by Josephine Tey.
I found this book engrossing. It is a quick read with just over 200 pages. I will be reading more of the books by Josephine Tey.
This book had the potential to really engage me--it deals with Richard III and all the various permutations of the Yorkist, Lancastrian and Tudor factions in late medieval England, and it's not badly written at all. Unfortunately, there were so many little things in it which frustrated me that I was completely soured to the author's argument--that Richard III was innocent of the murder of the Princes in the Tower--by the time I finished reading.
Though there are elements of her arguments with which I agree, even the main hook of her novel--that the most famous surviving portrait of Richard III shows the face of a man who could not possibly commit such a murder--is flawed. Every portrait ever made has been the portrait of not one person, but at least two--of the sitter and of the artist--and the practice of reading a person's character through their portrait is an interesting one, though it must always be seen as very dubious.
There are a number of other points in the book which show clearly that the author is not a historian. I'm sure, given what is stated in the book, that this is regarded as a plus point, but there are some facts with which it is worthwhile to become familiar before writing a book which purports to solve a centuries old mystery--for instance, stating that to die at the age of forty in the Middle Ages was to die young. Really, not so much. Similarly, Tey veers between being incredibly cynical and incredibly naive about political motivations. It all makes for an interesting, if ultimately unrewarding, read.
Though there are elements of her arguments with which I agree, even the main hook of her novel--that the most famous surviving portrait of Richard III shows the face of a man who could not possibly commit such a murder--is flawed. Every portrait ever made has been the portrait of not one person, but at least two--of the sitter and of the artist--and the practice of reading a person's character through their portrait is an interesting one, though it must always be seen as very dubious.
There are a number of other points in the book which show clearly that the author is not a historian. I'm sure, given what is stated in the book, that this is regarded as a plus point, but there are some facts with which it is worthwhile to become familiar before writing a book which purports to solve a centuries old mystery--for instance, stating that to die at the age of forty in the Middle Ages was to die young. Really, not so much. Similarly, Tey veers between being incredibly cynical and incredibly naive about political motivations. It all makes for an interesting, if ultimately unrewarding, read.
Not exactly fast paced...but I think it brings up an interesting point. What do we really know about early history? Can we trust historical documents?
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Review - Richard III as a character came across really clearly to me. There was definitely a mixture of darkness and light, but he was not painted as the monster that many see. Alan Grant was the means to an end, but nevertheless he had his own personality which in some ways was quite similar to Richard's as portrayed here. The description wasn't overwhelming and didn't detract from the historical essence of the novel. The mystery of the Princes in the Tower was well-handled and relatively sympathetic towards Richard, quite a new view.
Genre? - Historical / Mystery / Drama
Characters? - Richard III / Edward IV / Elizabeth Woodville / Henry VII / Elizabeth of York / Edward V / Richard, Duke of York / Alan Grant
Setting? - London (England)
Series? - N/A
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 20/20
Genre? - Historical / Mystery / Drama
Characters? - Richard III / Edward IV / Elizabeth Woodville / Henry VII / Elizabeth of York / Edward V / Richard, Duke of York / Alan Grant
Setting? - London (England)
Series? - N/A
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 20/20
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
Completely unique plot. Convalescing Scotland Yard officer amuses himself by researching contemporary accounts of Richard III’s life and draws his own conclusions about the man’s character. Longer on history than mystery. Hi