A different, albeit refreshing look at Richard III. How nice to have a novel with a realistic, well rounded Richard instead of the pure and saintly one we’re always finding in the latest and *cough* greatest historical novels. Tannahill begins her novel in 1471 as Richard is planning to marry Anne Neville and recounts his life until that fateful day at Bosworth. Most of this is known history and enough reviewers have recounted what’s covered in the book I needn’t rehash it again.
As noted earlier, what I most enjoyed was the more life-like Richard – although depicted as an honorable man he was still very much a man of his times and ruthless when he needed to be. I really enjoyed how the relationship between Richard and Anne slowly developed during their marriage, instead of the pure as the driven snow instantaneous true love we’re always seeing these days. Outside of Francis, none of the other main players are as fully developed as you might find in some other novels on this period, but at the same time you’re not getting all black and white – everyone has their shades of gray – even Margaret Beaufort and Elizabeth Woodville – a very refreshing change.
All in all I found this to be a very enjoyable read, although Tannahill’s dry wit and sarcasm may not appeal to all readers. Still tops with me for books on Richard III is still Sharon Kay Penman’s fabulous The Sunne In Splendour: A Novel of Richard III, but it’s always fun to read another author’s take on the always enigmatic Richard and the mystery of the Princes in the Tower.
Christopher Heron breaks ties with his Northumbrian family (except for his beloved sister Meg) and sets his lodestar on gaining service in the household of Richard Duke of Gloucester. Christopher’s skills as a knight and lutist, as well as being circumspect when needed raise him higher than he’d dreamed possible – although when his Meg desperately needs him he forgets the vow he made to come to her whenever and wherever she needed him – and forever earns her enmity. Christopher finds himself in the thick of things as intrigue and treachery abound in the aftermath of the death of Edward IV – one attempt has already been made on the life of the young princes – can they be brought to safety? Once Richard takes the crown, peace comes to England for a time and Christopher is offered a wealthy heiress as his bride – albeit one spoiled by a doting father who despises Christopher. Can they surmount the odds and find happiness? Will they survive the invasion of That-Upstart-Henry Tudor in the aftermath of the Battle of Bosworth Field?
At Home With A Good Book and the Cat 