A Burnable Book: A Novel Author: Bruce Holsinger | Language: English | ISBN:
B00DB36D9K | Format: EPUB
A Burnable Book: A Novel Description
In Chaucer's London, betrayal, murder, royal intrigue, mystery, and dangerous politics swirl around the existence of a prophetic book that foretells the deaths of England's kings. Bruce Holsinger's A Burnable Book is an irresistible historical thriller reminiscent of the classics An Instance of the Fingerpost, The Name of the Rose, and The Crimson Petal and the White.London, 1385. Surrounded by ruthless courtiers--including his powerful uncle, John of Gaunt, and Gaunt's artful mistress, Katherine Swynford--England's young, still untested king, Richard II, is in mortal peril, and the danger is only beginning. Songs are heard across London--catchy verses said to originate from an ancient book that prophesies the end of England's kings--and among the book's predictions is Richard's assassination. Only a few powerful men know that the cryptic lines derive from a "burnable book," a seditious work that threatens the stability of the realm. To find the manuscript, wily bureaucrat Geoffrey Chaucer turns to fellow poet John Gower, a professional trader in information with connections high and low. Gower discovers that the book and incriminating evidence about its author have fallen into the unwitting hands of innocents, who will be drawn into a labyrinthine conspiracy that reaches from the king's court to London's slums and stews--and potentially implicates his own son. As the intrigue deepens, it becomes clear that Gower, a man with secrets of his own, may be the last hope to save a king from a terrible fate.
Medieval scholar Bruce Holsinger draws on his vast knowledge of the period to add colorful, authentic detail--on everything from poetry and bookbinding to court intrigues and brothels--to this highly entertaining and brilliantly constructed epic literary mystery that brings medieval England gloriously to life.
- File Size: 905 KB
- Print Length: 467 pages
- Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0062240323
- Publisher: William Morrow (February 18, 2014)
- Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
- Language: English
- ASIN: B00DB36D9K
- Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray:
- Lending: Not Enabled
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,261 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #15
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers > Historical - #47
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense - #48
in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers > Historical
- #15
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers > Historical - #47
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense - #48
in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers > Historical
A Burnable Book is a richly textured read that like a savory pie needs to be enjoyed slowly. We have the crust that is the first gripping chapter that draws the eye of the reader and tempts the curious to sample more, then as the shell is broken the reader will be surprised to uncover an assortment of complex characters that all have a hand in touching a potentially dangerous book called "Book of The Deaths of English Kings". Set in 14th century England and beyond the realm, the reader is submerged into the darker side of the lanes and liberties of human drudgery and misery that pervaded many lives of those of the period. Narrations and views switch between those of the genteel standing, the unfortunate who specialize in self preservation and the others who battle their principles and private demons. The meat of the story is the hunt across the divided four corners of London, Southswark and Westminster for a book that contains 13 prophecies of historical significance. The sauce thickens as time is of the essence because the surrounding church bells ring and the risk escalates for those already involved and yet another soul views the pages of the poisonous book, a deadly countdown has begun and it appears no one is exempt from the fickle wheel of fate.
In the end, this was a difficult but a worthwhile read for this reader. I will the first to admit that at many times my mind strayed to the other books I had waiting for me but there was just something so unique and interesting about this one that I just stepped away for a time then returned. So glad I did this and I encourage any frustrated reader to do the same. Just step away and come back because Mr.
A "burnable book", as referred to in the title of Bruce Holsinger's new novel of England (and Florence) in the late 14th century, is simply a book that might cost the possessor his life. The author or the owner of such a book could be accused of anything from heresy to treachery and end his life burned at the stake. Is such a book worth possessing? Or is it too much of a "hot" commodity?
England in the 1380's was in a bit of a turmoil. The child-king, Richard II, had ascended to the throne upon the death of his grandfather, Edward III in 1377. Richard's father and Edward's son - Edward the Black Prince - had died before his father so his son crowned. France and England had been squabbling since the early 1330's over English land in France and by the late 1380's, the two countries were ensconced in an on-and-off again war, the 100 Years War. Richard was fairly secure on his throne, with the help of various English nobles who supported him.
Holsinger's novel is an excellent look at London society and politics in those years. The city of London was small and located mostly on the north side of the River Thames. However, on the south side of the river, was located the area called "Southwark". The main character of book, which is told in different voices, is a lawyer named John Gower, who "trades in information". He was a real person; a "doer" and is employed by court officials to ferret thing out, that otherwise would remain hidden. He is also a close friend of Geoffrey Chaucer. Both men are poets, though Chaucer has enjoyed greater fame. Through Chaucer, who was a customs official and often traveled to the continent, Gower comes to learn about a "burnable book"; a book that supposedly foretold Richard's death. Gower is charged with finding the book.
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