This is my guilty pleasure. I don't like romance novels, per se, but I do like historical ones. Primarily of the Tudor period in history; I've read seThis is my guilty pleasure. I don't like romance novels, per se, but I do like historical ones. Primarily of the Tudor period in history; I've read several.
This one was well-written, and paced well. I quite enjoyed it. Most of it's left my brain already, but I believe that is by design.
The impression I'm left with is of cotton candy; yummy, a bit of a no-no, but not too bad really - the memory of which fades as the carnival pulls out of town.
Well, from all the books I've read about this time period, it has become alarmingly clear that a woman such as myself would not have existed back thenWell, from all the books I've read about this time period, it has become alarmingly clear that a woman such as myself would not have existed back then.
Women were allowed only a few scripted roles, one of which was prostitute. For any woman who didn't find the confines of holy matrimony a sacrifice worth making, there was always the stree whore, the slammerkin, the dress lodger, the bar wench or the mistress. All were examples of the same thing; a woman who exchanged sexual relations for money and/or power (of a sort).
Most woman who chose door #2 often made bad ends; the heroine in this novel (or is that anti-heroine?) is no different. Probably some long hold-over (hangover?) from morality tales of the past. Like the Hayes Code for movies, if you will. A woman who sells herself for money can't possibly end up well off and comfortable, because that would promote such a thing, right? Right??
Other than that amount of predictability, this is a better-than-decent read. It flows pretty well, and our heroines adventures fly fairly high until the inevitable denouement.
You do care about the characters, for the most part. Though, not deeply. The comeuppance she receives doesn't encite schaudenfreude, rather a terse shake of the head - tsk, tsk.
Fans of historical novels, however, will likely enjoy it....more
I found this book surprisingly engrossing, albeit in a sort of way, but better.
The story centers around a murder - that of Giuliano de Medici in the I found this book surprisingly engrossing, albeit in a sort of way, but better.
The story centers around a murder - that of Giuliano de Medici in the late 15th century in Florence - and the subsequent solving of that murder.
(Another good book on this subject is also one I mailed out for bookmooch called April Blood, but that book was more dry and less entertaining that this one - though the fictional details closely resemble the actual ones)
The plot has a decent pace, the characters are effective and well-drawn. Overall, an enjoyable, not too deep historical read that sweep you off to parts unknown for a few hours, or days.
Horrible drivel! I had to scrub my brain after reading it. The lengths the heroine goes to for her beloved Wideacre would be semi-interesting if we gaHorrible drivel! I had to scrub my brain after reading it. The lengths the heroine goes to for her beloved Wideacre would be semi-interesting if we gave a crap in the first place, but since the author can't even manage to do that well we don't give a crap and so it's a waste of our time and money!
Other books by this author are far, far better. Skip it! Read 'The Other Boleyn Girl' or 'The Boleyn Inheritance'!
Another one that went up on Bookmooch right away, and surprisingly was snapped right up. That poor, poor soul! I gladly paid the postage to mail it away! Out damned spot!
Okay, well I read this entire book (90 pages) within a few hours in the Barnes & Nobles. Truth be told, I read it there for two reasons: (a) I have beOkay, well I read this entire book (90 pages) within a few hours in the Barnes & Nobles. Truth be told, I read it there for two reasons: (a) I have been told to read something by Paul Auster by a few people and (b) I didn't want to pay $16.00 for it.
(My daughter read the Guiness Book of World Records for Kids, lol)
It's an interesting story within a story. The writing, initially, is pretty solid, pretty tight. But the story is hard to keep interested in. A lot of the plot is a description of the main character, Mr. Blank, and his activities. You get bits and pieces of the story as you go along, and there is to be some great reveal/allegory at the end. I wouldn't say it was a great revelation, but it was interesting - I'll give Mr. Auster that much.
I've also been told this isn't the best of Auster's works, and I can accept that. It wasn't painful to read; it went quite smoothly for the most part, but I didn't find it particularly memorable or inspiring. Just meh.
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