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A review by amandasbookreview
Fools and Mortals by Bernard Cornwell
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Silence. We like it when an audience is silent, when no one coughs, no one shuffles, no one cracks a nut, or uncorks an ale bottle with a sudden hiss. Silence means the play is working, and we have the audience in our power. To a player, that breathless silence is better than applause, and that morning in the great hall my audience was silent.”
FOOLS AND MORTALS
Ok. Here is the deal. I love Bernard Cornwell! His Saxon Tales, King Arthur Series, and Agincourt are some of the best historical fiction that I have read. But I am not going to lie, I was nervous going into Fools and Mortals. It just felt so different than what I am used to when reading Bernard Cornwell. This book is about Richard Shakespeare, the younger brother of THE William Shakespeare. Richard is young and handsome and women are not allowed on the stage yet so he must deal with mostly female parts. Life in London is hard, so he is a thief on the side. But he isn’t the only one struggling. The playhouses are competing to be the most successful and will stop at nothing to ruin the other. A rival playhouse approaches Richard with an offer…steal Shakespeare’s newest play and he will have bigger parts on the stage.
So if you are like me and saw the brief thoughts of previous readers then you might think…not for me. The beginning is slow and it took a while for the main plot to be introduced. But PLEASE, PLEASE do not let that stop you from reading this book. Not only is it just masterful how Bernard Cornwell pulls you into Elizabethan England but once the plot hits, there is no stopping it. What isn’t clear at first becomes crystal about midway through the book. There are layers of depth-the characters, the plays, the historical background, it just all comes together so beautifully.
So one of my favorite aspects is the brother relationship between Richard and William. William takes pride in his work but Richard just wants to show the world that he is capable of more than stealing. It is rare that I write a review with spoilers, but I can’t resist this book.
So be prepared, spoilers ahead:
In the story, they are rehearsing for A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream but Shakespeare is also working on a secret script…Romeo and Juliet. When Richard holds up his end of the deal with his brother, he is promised a male part in Romeo and Juliet, but William said it isn’t Romeo but it is a crucial part. Then there is one scene where I screamed out loud, “HE IS GOING TO BE MERCUTIO!!!”
Seriously, I was so happy I cried. It is rare when I close a book that leaves a smile on my face. So I am rating this book all the stars because it deserves it. I should have never doubted you, Bernard Cornwell.
So if you are like me and saw the brief thoughts of previous readers then you might think…not for me. The beginning is slow and it took a while for the main plot to be introduced. But PLEASE, PLEASE do not let that stop you from reading this book. Not only is it just masterful how Bernard Cornwell pulls you into Elizabethan England but once the plot hits, there is no stopping it. What isn’t clear at first becomes crystal about midway through the book. There are layers of depth-the characters, the plays, the historical background, it just all comes together so beautifully.
So one of my favorite aspects is the brother relationship between Richard and William. William takes pride in his work but Richard just wants to show the world that he is capable of more than stealing. It is rare that I write a review with spoilers, but I can’t resist this book.
So be prepared, spoilers ahead:
Seriously, I was so happy I cried. It is rare when I close a book that leaves a smile on my face. So I am rating this book all the stars because it deserves it. I should have never doubted you, Bernard Cornwell.