Scan barcode
A review by hrhaphrodite1
Viper Wine by Hermione Eyre
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
What I Was Looking For: A deep dive into the aristocracy of England at the brink of the English Civil War; their petty enjoyments, a desire for beauty and fame, and a journey through the quack treatments available in the 1620s. Some light fantasy, humour and women-centric themes.
What I Got: This novel is overwhelmingly... strange. I can say with all honesty that I've never read anything quite like it before. It trapezes somewhere between detailed historical fiction (littered with sources and evidence, which was an enjoyable addition), and an absurdist pastiche of a relatively unexplored part of English history, somewhat akin to 'The Favourite', complete with many (many, many) pop culture references.
I don't want to say I didn't enjoy it - because there were periods when I couldn't put it down. But when I did put it down, I didn't think about it. So much of this story is vignettes of the two main characters that seemingly don't add anything to the plot. But the strangeness and absurdity of the time period is truly the clincher; it's sometimes enjoyable trying to figure out what parts Eyre has made up and what is historical fact. Cameos of Naomi Campbell are interwoven with a voyage down the Thames on the first successful submarine.
On the whole, a bold piece of somewhat historical fiction with unique elements of popular culture, which produces something totally 'new'. If you enjoyed forays into the past along the lines of Yorgos Lanthimos's 'The Favourite', or Sofia Copalla's 'Marie Antoinette' - then maybe try giving this a go. Be prepared for absurdism.
What I Got: This novel is overwhelmingly... strange. I can say with all honesty that I've never read anything quite like it before. It trapezes somewhere between detailed historical fiction (littered with sources and evidence, which was an enjoyable addition), and an absurdist pastiche of a relatively unexplored part of English history, somewhat akin to 'The Favourite', complete with many (many, many) pop culture references.
I don't want to say I didn't enjoy it - because there were periods when I couldn't put it down. But when I did put it down, I didn't think about it. So much of this story is vignettes of the two main characters that seemingly don't add anything to the plot. But the strangeness and absurdity of the time period is truly the clincher; it's sometimes enjoyable trying to figure out what parts Eyre has made up and what is historical fact. Cameos of Naomi Campbell are interwoven with a voyage down the Thames on the first successful submarine.
On the whole, a bold piece of somewhat historical fiction with unique elements of popular culture, which produces something totally 'new'. If you enjoyed forays into the past along the lines of Yorgos Lanthimos's 'The Favourite', or Sofia Copalla's 'Marie Antoinette' - then maybe try giving this a go. Be prepared for absurdism.