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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
4.5 stars
Detective Alan Grant lying in a hospital bed reading history books. Sounds boring? Well that's where you're wrong. This book holds the record for second longest time a book kept me up in the night to finish it.
It's about Richard III, but it's also a lot more than that. It's an investigation of truth and history through the very educating lens of The War of The Roses.
Detective Alan Grant lying in a hospital bed reading history books. Sounds boring? Well that's where you're wrong. This book holds the record for second longest time a book kept me up in the night to finish it.
It's about Richard III, but it's also a lot more than that. It's an investigation of truth and history through the very educating lens of The War of The Roses.
interesting approach to the story of the generally accepted view of richard iii as a murderous monster. a little hard to follow the historical revision set amidst conversations in a hospital room.
Actually I'd like to have given this one 31/2 stars. I first picked it up when it was on my high school reading list, but it looked too much like school work and I didn't get past the first chapter. Having become more interested in history since then, I decided to give it another go. There were times when it felt like I was reading a Plantangenet phone book (yes, I know, don't write) and I had to keep referring back to the family trees to keep track of everyone. However, what really fascinated me was the research methodology - the way in which accounts of historians can't necessarily be relied on because of their potential bias. As the author makes one of her characters say, "Truth isn't in accounts but in account books." The two characters she uses to make the narrative unfold are engaging, but the real hero is ultimately Richard III himself.
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
I first read this book in my distant youth and I loved it. I instantly because an ardent supporter of Richard III. For me back then, it was a five star read.
Rereading it several decades later, I still enjoyed it very much, though some little niggles were there this time around: the class differences and the kind condescension towards Grant's cleaning lady Mrs Tinker, for example. On the other hand, there is clearly affection between these two, and I can't imagine many "ladies who do" for a bachelor would bother to visit him in hospital these days.
Of course it is not a work of historical scholarship, but it surely did more to make people realise that the history in the books is not always necessarily true, than any other work of relatively light fiction. For that it deserves a solid four stars from me, and it remains a book for which I have much affection.
And yes, I am still a supporter of Richard III. Admittedly, he was a member of the House of York, but it says much for the esteem in which he was held that the following comment would be made after his death, in the uncertain times of the beginning of Henry VII's reign. It is from the official record of the City of York for 22 August 1485, the date of the Battle of Bosworth, where he was killed:
“On this day was our good King Richard, late reigning over us, piteously slain and murdered, to the great heaviness of this City.”
Rereading it several decades later, I still enjoyed it very much, though some little niggles were there this time around: the class differences and the kind condescension towards Grant's cleaning lady Mrs Tinker, for example. On the other hand, there is clearly affection between these two, and I can't imagine many "ladies who do" for a bachelor would bother to visit him in hospital these days.
Of course it is not a work of historical scholarship, but it surely did more to make people realise that the history in the books is not always necessarily true, than any other work of relatively light fiction. For that it deserves a solid four stars from me, and it remains a book for which I have much affection.
And yes, I am still a supporter of Richard III. Admittedly, he was a member of the House of York, but it says much for the esteem in which he was held that the following comment would be made after his death, in the uncertain times of the beginning of Henry VII's reign. It is from the official record of the City of York for 22 August 1485, the date of the Battle of Bosworth, where he was killed:
“On this day was our good King Richard, late reigning over us, piteously slain and murdered, to the great heaviness of this City.”
I really enjoyed this. It was recommended by my 80+ year old aunt as her favorite mystery of all time, and I see why. It’s unique in that it’s a historical murder mystery: a fictional investigation into the real life of Richard III and the infamous murder of the two princes in the Tower of London. I very much enjoyed the characters and their inquiry: definitely a book for mystery and history fans alike.
A brilliant author’s work previously unexplored is always an exciting discovery. I'm eagerly anticipating the rest of the Inspector Alan Grant series (and Tey's standalones sound intriguing too).
As for this one. . .wow. So unexpectedly absorbing. The entire story takes place in the hospital room of a recovering Scotland Yard inspector who unravels a historical murder mystery via nothing but book research. My own "inner investigator" was thrilled from first page to last.
In addition to the savvy deductions and snappy dialogue, I love Grant himself: his inquisitive mind, his instinctive mastery of micro-expressions, his frustration with confinement, his witty and occasionally self-deprecating voice, his overall cheer as he digs into the mystery despite understandable impatience with his injuries. This is an odd book in which to meet him, yet he drew me from the beginning. I can't wait to get to know him elsewhere, learn the details of his personal life and his work.
As for this one. . .wow. So unexpectedly absorbing. The entire story takes place in the hospital room of a recovering Scotland Yard inspector who unravels a historical murder mystery via nothing but book research. My own "inner investigator" was thrilled from first page to last.
In addition to the savvy deductions and snappy dialogue, I love Grant himself: his inquisitive mind, his instinctive mastery of micro-expressions, his frustration with confinement, his witty and occasionally self-deprecating voice, his overall cheer as he digs into the mystery despite understandable impatience with his injuries. This is an odd book in which to meet him, yet he drew me from the beginning. I can't wait to get to know him elsewhere, learn the details of his personal life and his work.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No