Archive for the ‘Fiction’ Category

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village

By Laura Amy Schlitz

Candlewick Press, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7636-1578-9

Maidens, monks, and millers’ sons — in these pages, readers will meet them all. There’s Hugo, the lord’s nephew, forced to prove his manhood by hunting a wild boar; sharp-tongued Nelly, who supports her family by selling live eels; and the peasant’s daughter, Mogg, who gets a clever lesson in how to save a cow from a greedy landlord. There’s also mud-slinging Barbary (and her noble victim); Jack, the compassionate half-wit; Alice, the singing shepherdess; and many more. With a deep appreciation for the period and a grand affection for both characters and audience, Laura Amy Schlitz creates twenty-two riveting portraits and linguistic gems equally suited to silent reading or performance. Illustrated with pen-and-ink drawings by Robert Byrd — inspired by the Munich-Nuremberg manuscript, an illuminated poem from thirteenth-century Germany — this witty, historically accurate, and utterly human collection forms an exquisite bridge to the people and places of medieval England.

Step back to an English village in 1255, where life plays out in dramatic vignettes illuminating twenty-two unforgettable characters.

Mud Slingers, Snigglers, and Fleas: A Tour of a 13th-Century Village – interview with Laura Amy Schlitz, from School Library Journal

Interview with Laura Amy Schlitz – from NBC’s Today Show

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Winner of the 2008 Newbury Award – “Schlitz adds a new dimension to books for young readers – performance,” said Committee Chair Nina Lindsay. “Varied poetic forms and styles offer humor, pathos and true insight into the human condition. Each entry is superb in itself, and together the pieces create a pageant that transports readers to a different time and place.”

Book Review from the New York Times – Schlitz is a talented storyteller. Her language is forceful, and learning slips in on the sly. She explains crop rotation through a boy who must plow the family fields after his father’s death and who confesses puzzlement over the concept of a field laying fallow. “I don’t know why the fields have the right to rest when people don’t.”

28 Aug 2010
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Captive Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine

Captive Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine

By Alison Weir
Ballantine Books, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-345-51187-4

Publisher’s Synopsis: Nearing her thirtieth birthday, Eleanor has spent the past dozen frustrating years as consort to the pious King Louis VII of France. For all its political advantages, the marriage has brought Eleanor only increasing unhappiness—and daughters instead of the hoped-for male heir. But when the young and dynamic Henry of Anjou arrives at the French court, Eleanor sees a way out of her discontent. For even as their eyes meet for the first time, the seductive Eleanor and the virile Henry know that theirs is a passion that could ignite the world.

Returning to her duchy of Aquitaine after the annulment of her marriage to Louis, Eleanor immediately sends for Henry, the future King of England, to come and marry her. The union of this royal couple will create a vast empire that stretches from the Scottish border to the Pyrenees, and marks the beginning of the celebrated Plantagenet dynasty.

But Henry and Eleanor’s marriage, charged with physical heat, begins a fiery downward spiral marred by power struggles, betrayals, bitter rivalries, and a devil’s brood of young Plantagenets—including Richard the Lionheart and the future King John. Early on, Eleanor must endure Henry’s formidable mother, the Empress Matilda, as well as his infidelities, while in later years, Henry’s friendship with Thomas Becket will lead to a deadly rivalry. Eventually, as the couple’s rebellious sons grow impatient for power, the scene is set for a vicious and tragic conflict that will engulf both Eleanor and Henry.

Vivid in detail, epic in scope, Captive Queen is an astounding and brilliantly wrought historical novel that encompasses the building of an empire and the monumental story of a royal marriage.

Audio Interview of Alison Weir by  Lewis Lapham about her book (MP3 file)

Alison Weir speaks with NPR’s Talk of the Nation

Book Review: Washington Post – “It’s not that the author doesn’t know everything about her subject, but that what she knows isn’t enough.”

Book Review: Winnipeg Free Press – “Weir’s strong non-fiction inclinations make Captive Queen less of a novel and more like a fictionalized history text.”

Book Review: Feminist Review - “For fans of medieval Europe, this book is a must read.”

2 Aug 2010
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The Pillars of the Earth – the Amplified Edition

The Amplified Edition of Ken Follett’s international bestselling novel The Pillars of the Earth has been released by Penguin Books and Starz. It combines the novel with new content from the upcoming mini-series. This electronic edition is available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod in the United States.

Beyond just offering an e-version of the novel, the amplified edition showcases exclusive videos with the author about his research and the process of bringing his book to the screen, and an innovative Character Tree that provides a remarkable aid to keeping the story’s myriad characters straight. It also gives users the opportunity to read the novel and watch key scenes and images from the event series in tandem over the course of the mini-series, which is starting on North American television on July 24th.

The makers promise that updates will be released while the TV series airs.  Other content in the amplified edition includes:

  • An interactive Character Tree, housed in a virtual stained glass window, grows as characters are introduced in the book, allowing the reader to learn more about the selected characters and their corresponding relationships. As the story progresses, the stained glass window becomes more intricate and reveals more and more about the characters.
  • Contextual video footage and still images are carefully blended into the eBook from the corresponding section of the mini-series, so readers can choose to watch beautiful clips of cathedrals, horses and men in shining armor while inside the eBook. Or if they prefer, they can watch clips as well as longer scenes in another section of the Amplified Edition.
  • Ken Follett’s Multimedia Diary, which is the author’s on-set impressions of the process of bringing The Pillars of the Earth from page to screen.
  • Behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the event series, looking at how the filmmakers captured Follett’s vision and created the medieval world of The Pillars of the Earth, including interviews with the actors, director and producers.
  • A Listening Lounge features music—including hymns, soundtrack themes, and battlefield scene scores—from the mini-series.
  • A sneak preview of Ken Follett’s next book coming this fall.

“Starz approached Penguin with the idea of leveraging Starz Digital Media division’s capabilities and jointly developing an iPad application that would both highlight the upcoming epic original with a terrific new business opportunity for selling more books electronically,” Ferrell McDonald, senior vice president, marketing for Starz Entertainment said. “We believe that this application will be a model for such cross-media partnerships and is a terrific showcase for the more than 3 million iPad users in the marketplace.”

“The Amplified Edition is the next step in Penguin Group’s ongoing efforts to take advantage of new technology to bring writers to readers in ways they have never experienced before,” Molly Barton, Director, Business Development, Penguin Group (USA), commented. “We are delighted to bring fans this thoughtful and exciting blend of imagery and artistry inspired by master storyteller Ken Follett.”

The Pillars of the Earth is a sweeping epic of good and evil, treachery and intrigue, violence and beauty, a sensuous, spirited story set against a backdrop of war, religious strife and power struggles in 12th Century England. Ken Follett’s book, first published in 1989, has sold more than 14 million copies worldwide and been published in more than 30 languages.

Click here to read our article: The Pillars of the Earth mini-series

Source: Penguin Group

21 Jul 2010
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The Pillars of the Earth mini-series

The Pillars of the Earth, an eight-hour mini-series based on the novel of the same name by Ken Follett, begins airing this month on North American television. Set in England during the 12th century, the story revolves around the building of a cathedral in the fictional market town of Kingsbridge.

Series Outline: The Pillars of the Earth begins with the public hanging of a mysterious man. About to meet his demise, he reaches out to a young pregnant woman in the crowd. As he hangs, the woman places a curse upon the three men responsible for his death: a powerful knight, a sheriff, and a young priest. This fateful event sets in motion the interconnected tales of Tom, master builder; Aliena, the noblewoman; the sadistic Lord William; Jack, the artist in stone work; and Ellen, a peculiar woman from the forest with an otherworldly background. At the heart of this grand tale lies Prior Phillip the benevolent leader of the diocese of Kingsbridge. His greatest adversary is Bishop Waleran, who threatens Phillip’s lifelong dream turned obsession of creating the most bewildering and magnificent church in England. The Prior and the Bishop become locked in an ultimate test of morals versus malice.

Series Background: Billed as the ‘epic event of the summer,’ Pillars of the Earth features a large cast including Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Matthew Macfadyen and Donald Sutherland in leading roles. The mini-series, which cost over $40 million (US), revolves around the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. It takes place within the larger backdrop of England during the mid-12th century, when the country suffered through a civil war during the reign of King Stephen (1135–1154) and tumultuous times of Henry II (1154–1189).

At the beginning of “Pillars,” Kingsbridge is a village, but during the course of the story it prospers, thanks to the wool trade, and grows to be a medium-sized city – by medieval standards, that is. In those days typical cities had five to ten thousand inhabitants. Kingsbridge Cathedral is fictional, though as Follett was writing the story he had two real-life cathedrals in mind: Wells and Salisbury. In its architecture the finished Kingsbridge Cathedral is like Salisbury, with rows of narrow, pointed “lancet” windows.

Ken Follett, who published his novel in 1989,  said, “For 20 years, Kingsbridge has existed only in the imagination—mine, and that of millions of readers. But today it has been built, on two huge lots on the outskirts of Budapest, Hungary. Here are the dirty medieval streets, the hovels the people live in, the bakeries and smithies and wool stores—and, of course, the half-finished cathedral.”

The author even makes an appearance on the screen, taking the role of a merchant. He adds, “People kept asking me: ‘Do you like it?’ Of course I like it. I dreamed it, and now it’s real.”

This Canadian-German project was handled by several companies, and among its executive producer’s is Ridley Scott, who directed films such as Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven. The filming was done near Budapest, Hungary.  The series begins airing in the United States and Canada on July 23, 2010, and will also be seen in several other countries, including, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain.

12 Jul 2010
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I Serve

I Serve

By Rosanne E. Lortz

Publisher: Anno Domini, January 1, 2009

ISBN: 9780979214547

This novel details the events of one knight, Sir John Potenhale, serving under the Black Prince, Edward, son of Edward III, during his campaigns in France in the mid-14th century.

The story begins with Sir John Potenhale seeking out the widow of another knight. He comes to deliver something of value to the knight’s widow when she asks him to tell her how she met her husband and to start his story at the point when he was knighted. Potenhale then begins his tale when he was serving as a squire to Sir John Chandos who was a knight in service to King Edward and his son. Potenhale is fortunate enough to witness Prince Edward’s knighting and dreams of the day when he too will become a knight.

After the battle of Crecy, Edward knights Potenhale and takes him into his service and household. Potenhale meets Margery, a lady-in-waiting to the prince’s cousin, Joan of Kent, and falls in love with her. However, the Black Plague strikes and Potenhale is wracked with guilt as to whether he should remain a knight or save his soul and  take monastic vows. The book details his inner struggle with his knighthood, his growing prowess and adventures as a knight, and his love of Margery.

The book was exciting and enjoyable. A lot of the novel detailed battles at Calais, Crecy, at sea and military marches across France. There is the small side  bar of Potenhale pursuing Margery but the book does not really focus on their love story, it is more a retelling of his experiences as a knight and of his relationship with the widow’s husband, Sir Geoffroi. Potenhale meets him after a battle where Geoffroi is taken as Potenhale’s prisoner. Geoffroi remains in the custody of the English for a year until a ransom can be raised to free him. Potenhale respects the French knight greatly and it is in him that he seeks advice about whether he should remain a knight or take holy orders.

The descritpions of battles were not tedious and drawn out at all and added colour to the story. I found Potenhale to be an interesting character and I liked the way the story was told from his memories in the first person. I enjoyed watching him grow as a knight and I liked the twist of the side story about his love for Margery and the difficulties that surround their union. Potenhale’s relationship to the Black Prince and the backdrop of Plagues stricken England, flagellants, notions of redemption and knightly honour also make the book a good read.

There is but one small complaint – there is a line near the end of the book where the author makes a reference to tennis and I found it a very odd analogy for a medieval historical novel. I looked up the history of tennis and while it technically existed in the 12th century, it existed as a handball sport and was not that well known. The reference made in the novel is very modern in tone and I found it jarringly out of place.  I doesn’t fit at all and should be removed.

All in all, the book was great and I recommend it for a light summer read. It is battle heavy, and plot heavy but not boring in the least and I really enjoyed it.

Click here to visit the author’s blog

Click here to visit the book’s website

6 Jul 2010
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Effigy of the Cloven Hoof

Effigy of the Cloven Hoof

By Ellen Foster
Lulu Press, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-557-39894-2

Synopsis: The opening pages of this historical mystery novel carry the reader into the midst of a demonic storm raging on the banks of the Severn River in Gloucestershire, England, in the early autumn of the year 1400. Unknown to the household of Lady Apollonia of Aust a tidal bore has surged up the Severn Estuary leaving in its wake a pre-dawn tide of dead lepers. One decapitated body discovered in a tidal pool is revealed to be an ancient adversary of the Lady.

Press Release:  American author Ellen Foster has created a new historical mystery novel, Effigy of the Cloven Hoof. Its real-life images of English medieval people share with her readers some realities of chivalry, the role of women, and the class bound hopes of common folk.

The author lived in England four different years from the late 1980’s through the 1990’s while experiencing hands-on medieval history as a steward and guide to the 14th century Cathedral Church of St. Peter in Exeter, Devon. Able to explore the British Isles during those years of residence she has placed her fictional characters within real space. Although some places she describes lie in ruins in the 21st century she brings them back to significant life in the year 1400.

Turning to writers of the period–chiefly Geoffrey Chaucer and Mother Julian of Norwich–the author conveys her readers into the presence of good and evil people recognizable to the communities of the high Middle Ages. Her characters speak to her readers in voices of the period, not Chaucer’s English but the language of courtesy within one’s household, villages, towns and the powerful medieval Christian Church.

The opening pages of the novel carry the reader into the midst of a demonic storm raging on the banks of the Severn River in Gloucestershire. Unknown to the household of Lady Apollonia of Aust, a tidal bore has surged from the sea up the Severn Estuary leaving in its wake a pre-dawn tide of dead lepers. One savagely decapitated body discovered in a tidal pool is revealed to be not a leper but an ancient adversary of the Lady.

Click here to go to the Lulu Press website

11 Jun 2010
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Eight for Eternity: A John the Lord Chamberlain Mystery

Eight for Eternity: A John the Lord Chamberlain Mystery

By Mary Reed, Eric Mayer

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press, April 1, 2010

ISBN: 9781590587027

John, Lord Chamberlain to Emperor Justinian in 532 Constantinople, investigates when followers of two opposing chariot teams (the Green and the Blue) are murdered after their executions are botched, and they are rescued by monks. Constantinople is in flames as the masses riot in the streets hoping to depose the emperor, making John’s task exceedingly difficult. John is also charged with protecting two brothers, nephews of the former emperor, and the daughter of one of them. Who murdered the two men, and who is inciting the rioters? Is it one of the nephews (who would like to be emperor himself), or revered charioteer Porphyrius, or John’s good friend Haik? Reed and Mayer bring the time of the Nika Riots in Constantinople to vivid life in this eighth installment in their series, capturing the burning city, the mob mentality, the panic in the castle as the rioters come ever closer, and the effort to convince Justinian to use whatever methods are necessary to keep his throne.


Click here to visit the authors’ website

Click here to read a review of Eight for Eternity by Genre Go Round

Click here to read an interview with Mary Reed and Eric Mayer

Click here to learn more about the book from The Rap Sheet

14 Apr 2010
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The Sheen On The Silk: A Novel

The Sheen On The Silk: A Novel

By Anne Perry

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group, March 23, 2010

ISBN: 9780345500656

Arriving in the ancient Byzantine city in the year 1273, Anna Zarides has only one mission: to prove the innocence of her twin brother, Justinian, who has been exiled to the desert for conspiring to kill Bessarion, a nobleman. Disguising herself as a eunuch named Anastasius, Anna moves freely about in society, using her skills as a physician to manoeuver close to the key players involved in her brother’s fate. With her medical practice thriving, Anna crosses paths with Zoe Chrysaphes, a devious noblewoman with her own hidden agenda, and Giuiliano Dandolo, a ship’s captain conflicted not only by his mixed Venetian-Byzantine heritage but by his growing feelings for Anastasius.

Trying to clear her brother’s name, Anna learns more about Justinian’s life and reputation-including his peculiar ties to Bessarion’s beautiful widow and his possible role in a plot to overthrow the emperor. This leaves Anna with more questions than answer, and time is running out. For an even greater threat lies on the horizon: Another Crusade to capture the Holy Land is brewing, and leaders in Rome and Venice have set their sights on Constantinople for what is sure to be a brutal invasion. Anna’s discoveries draw her inextricably closer to the dangers of the emperor’s treacherous court-where it seems that no one is exactly who he or she appears to be.

Click here to visit the author’s website

Click here to read a review of The Sheen On The Silk on Badgerish.net

Anne Perry – The Sheen on the Silk from ariodante on Vimeo.

14 Apr 2010
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Genghis: Bones of the Hills

Genghis: Bones of the Hills

By Conn Iggulden

Publisher: Delacorte Press

ISBN: 9780385339537

Here, the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan, stalked by enemies seen and unseen and plagued by a divided family, leads a sprawling force of horsemen beyond the realm of their known world. He will bring a storm to Arab lands and face the armies of the shah in all their strength.

From the fierce cold plains of Mongolia to the Korean Peninsula, Genghis’s brothers, sons, and commanders have made emperors bow, slaughtering vast armies of fighting men. But as Genghis enters a strange new land of towering mountains and arid desert, he stirs an enemy greater than any he has met before. Under his command, Shah Ala-ud-Din Mohammed has thousands of fierce Arab warriors, teeming cavalry, and terrifying armored elephants. When Genghis strikes, the Arabs prove their mettle. On the verge of defeat, Genghis is forced to leave his own vast encampment, and the women and children in it, in the path of an enraged, savage enemy.

While the Mongols—men, women, and children—fight back, as secret assassins are sent into the night, another battle is taking shape. Two of Genghis’s sons, Jochi and Chagatai, are steeped in enmity. Warriors choose between them, and a murderer commits an unspeakable crime. Soon the most powerful man in the world, who has brought devastation to this land, must choose a successor. And when he does, it will touch off the most bitter conflict of all. In a novel that ranges from the fertile lands of the Chin to the dust and rock of Afghanistan, Conn Iggulden weaves the epic story of history’s most enigmatic conqueror —those who feared him, those who defied him, and those whose bones he left behind.

Click here to visit the author’s website

Click here to read a review of Genghis: Bones of the Hills by Las Risas

13 Apr 2010
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Crusade

Crusade

By Robyn Young

Publisher: Plume, July 29, 2008

ISBN: 9780452289604

The second volume in the internationally bestselling “Brethren” trilogy, “Crusade” is gripping historical fiction that grows more relevant by the day (Raymond Khoury, bestselling author of “The Last Templar”) An international bestseller, “Crusade” is a fast-paced medieval adventure portraying the rising tide of political pressures that led East and West to war in the 13th century. After years of bloodshed, peace finally reigns in the Middle East, in part due to the efforts of Will Campbell and a mysterious group known as the Brethren. However, a cabal of ruthless Western merchants aims to reignite war in the Holy Land, while Prince Edwardaonce a trusted member of the Brethrenahas made a promise to the pope: he will take the Cross to Jerusalem and lead a new crusade. To survive the escalating conflict and protect his family, Will must harness all his knowledge and courage.

Click here to visit the author’s website

Click here to read  a review of Crusade by Myshelf.com


13 Apr 2010
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