1066 and all that....

OK so I might have failed in the whole opposite covers month (1920s aristocracy-1980s aristocracy-1450s, well they weren't the aristocracy but you know what I mean fail) but I have learnt a little bit more about history. Not through the fiction, but the subsequent googling reading the fiction brings on.

That's the reason I love historical novels, which I get mocked for constantly by people who read 'proper' books- they make you interested in the past, and there is no greater avenue to research than the past and once you've learnt basic research skills, you can find out anything, and once people start finding things out, revolutions happen. Yes, yes I did just say reading historical fiction may one day lead to a revolution. Thesis that, bitches.

Anyway, this is the history of England from 1066 (bit of an important year) to 1890 ish in novels. Think of it as your summer reading list, if you will. You'll be tested on it later and I'll see you on the barricades in October, yes?

(These are books that I have read. Not having read every book ever written ever I've missed thousands out. If there is something I've missed that I really should read then tell me. My TBR pile is now bigger than I am (which trust me is a feat all by itself) but I shall try).

Needle in the Blood by Sarah Bower1066
The romance between William the Conqueror's brother Bishop Odo and one of the women who embroidered the Bayeux Tapestry. Its a bit overlong, to be honest, but fascinating. Beautiful cover too.









Cadfael by Ellis Peters1138

Brilliant, mostly murder-mystery series that reflects on the wars between King Stephen and Empress Matilda which split the country in half. Many in the series are set in Wales, and gives a good insight into politics there. They are also great fun.









The Gallows Curse by Karen Maitland1210
King John's ridiculous quest for power led eventually to the Magna Carta, one of the most important events in English law. Maitland's books show how the actions of Kings are reflected by the people. The Gallows Curse is her latest, and possibly darkest book.









The Owl Killers by Karen Maitland1321
Set 100 years later during the reign of Edward II, who was ousted by his own wife Isabelle of France, and was murdered by having a red hot poker inserted up his bum, this book shows the struggle for power between the very male power of the manor and village, and the female beguinage and ineffective Christian representative. Wonderful stuff.












Company of Liars by Karen Maitland1348
Karen Maitland's first book set in medieval England, and in my opinion her weakest (the ending lets the rest of the book down massively) this shows the impact the Black Death had on the common people. The Black Death decimated Europe's population and altered England forever.











Owen Archer by Candace Robb1363-
Set during the reign of Edward III, which was a bit of a golden time as England was transformed into a massive military power, kick starting wars in Scotland and the 100 Years War in France (any time when England gets to thrown its tiny weight around is classed as 'golden' apparently, if there's one thing we do well, its a penis-extension), this series of murder mysteries is more than just a lay-Cadfael, England is different now, there are more classes of person and, set in the last ten years of Edward's 55 year reign shows how the successive wars has resulted in a new kind of 'man'. Owen is a one eyed ex soldier adjusting to life as spy for the Archbishop of York. As a Yorkshire lass, I find the history of our city fascinating to read and this series, especially the first 'Apothecary Rose' is recommended.











Katherine by Anya Seton1377 ish
A good old fashioned bodice ripper, this one. Married off to the man who tries to rape her, Katherine Swynford falls hopelessly in love with John of Gaunt, second son of Edward III and Plantagenet England's Golden Boy. Naturally Katherine is ridiculously beautiful and hirsute and the two swan off together, founding a rather important dynasty along the way. LOVE this book, for all its ridiculous sloppyness, it's a lovely story and Katherine is one of those Women from History that Gregory hasn't got round to yet...











Crown in Candlelight by Rosemary Hawley Jarman1401 ish
Although this book starts in *spits* France, the story of Catherine of Valois and her two marriages is vastly important to English history, plus this is a lovely lovely book. Rich in detail, intrigue and magic, less bodice rippy than Katherine, but just as readable.











The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory1443
What I'm reading at the moment, the second in Gregory's Cousin's War series looking at the Wars of the Roses from the point of view of the women who were not that behind the scenes as some histories would have. Margaret Beaufort has always been a bit of a hero of mine and this book told in typical Gregory style is a great romp.











The White Queen by Philippa Gregory1450
More mystical magical magical mystical in tone that The Red Queen, this book reminded me more of Gregory's earlier book 'The Wise Woman'-which I hated, if I'm honest. The story of Elizabeth Woodville, wife to Edward IV, who comes accross as deeply unlikeable and manipulative. A further book in this series, The Lady of the Rivers, focussing on Elizabeth's mother Jacquetta, is out in September. I'll bet you a tenner Margaret of Anjou is next.

AND LO WE HAVE HIT THE TUDORS

There are several reasons I think that there are more books about the shitting Tudors than any other period in English history. Firstly, everyone studies then in school. Secondly, to be fair, a lot of stuff went down in the 1500s. Thirdly, these are the first monarchs we know a fair bit about. Printing had finally hit Europe properly, it was all kicking off on the continent because of it, and records were being kept. Oh, and who could resist such fascinating characters and times, and all in one family too?

There are THOUSANDS of books flooding the market about the Tudors at the moment. My favs though are








Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel1520s/30s
Now I know a lot of people find the tense thing a little off putting but I loved this book. Thomas Cromwell, the most powerful of Henry VIII's advisers, and one of the earliest capitalists, is so well drawn you can't help but be swept into the intrigue and deception that the Tudor court is lined with.











The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory1540
Better than The Other Boleyn Girl in my opinion, this is the story of the downfall of Anne of Cleaves, surely one of the saddest moments for women in English history, and a confirmation that heteronormative misogyny really has always been there. In fact it's hard to find a historical novel in any way sympathetic to Henry VIII. I wonder why...











Sovereign by CJ Samson1542
My favourite in the Shardlake series (which I've ranted about too much to go into any sort of detail needless to say if you haven't read them by now you need to Have Words), covers the Pilgrimage of Grace (google it and be proud of my county)and it's affect on the North. Also shows the king in his later days, and the horror that was his relationship with Catherine Howard.

Now one thing I've never read is a really good historical novel about Lady Jane Grey, whose story deserves one. Any suggestions?












The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory1553
Have to admit I've only read the Reader's Digest abridged version of this book, but I loved the story and the protagonist Hannah, a Jewish refugee from Spain living as a fool in King Edward VI's and later Queen Mary I's household.











The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir1555
The early life of Queen Elizabeth I told in a fictional way by the queen of accessible history. I love Alison Weir and if you can read every thing she's ever done that would be great, thanks.











The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory1569
Actually, don't read this. This is tripe. Read the beyond excellent biography of Mary Queen of Scots by Antonia Fraser and the even more excellent biography of Bess of Hardwick by Mary Lovell.

AND LO WE HAVE LEFT THE TUDORS

After the excitement of the 1500s you'd be forgiven to think nothing else ever happened in England. There are thousands of really good historical novels about war and magic and romance and all of that, but I'll be honest, I've run out of steam. So a for veeeeery quick overview of the last four hundred years read...







The King's Daughter by Christie Dickason1605
It covers the Gunpowder Plot, what else do you need?












Forever Amber by Kathleen Windsor1665
Because it ain't a BookElf blog post unless I mention this book.

















My Last Duchess by Daisy Goodwin1890
That I read last week. It's froth. But it's good froth. The ending nearly made me spit though.

Happy Reading!
BookElf xxx

The Winner of our Caption Contest is...

Dane Cross - with his hilarious entry below!!

"One more outburst like that, and so help me God I will break out the hoover."

Well done!!
 
That two tickets to the Hyde Park Picture House - when it suits you, to see what you fancy!!!

Inspired by Cadfael...

Back in the Mists of Time when I wanted to be a writer and smack myself on the forehead every morning I wrote the first three chapters of a book about a Charterhouse Monk living through the dissolution of the monasteries who falls in love with a farm laborer, has a breakdown, and drowns himself in a mill pond. The first chapter was entirely him describing a square of blue tile on the floor of the chapel where he spends a good 40% of his day in intricate, boring, detail. I was very young, so this terrible idea is excusable but still, my life long fascination with all things cloistered has not yet waned.



A couple of years ago I read a collection of stories about nuns called 'Unveiled: Nuns Talking' by Mary Louden. This fascination collection features nuns or various denominations from all over the UK and Ireland discussing their lives and their beliefs. It was upon reading this book that I decided to live my life according to rules dictated by what I believed in most strongly, in this way my entire life almost becomes a test. I'm not sure of the purpose behind this but it has certainly given me a lot more focus and drive and I can identify almost with women and men who have chosen to lives their lives to a rule; albeit a rule dictated by an organised religion rather than an individual (and therefore slightly more fluid) moral compass.

I think most of my love of monks and nuns comes from fiction. And yes, I'm looking at you, Cadfael. Ellis Peter's detective might not be the most historically accurate series in the world, but its lovely, and great, and easy to slip into. And the TV version stars Sir Derek Jacobi. I've just read The Summer of the Danes, which was brilliant stuff about the tribal wars in Northern Wales. A Morbid Taste for Bones I must have read about seventy times. Read them, read them now.



Other famous Books About Monks that I have loved have to include Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose. The bit where they are discussing whether laughter is holy just blew me away. The fact I was in Italy at the time and visiting the Vatican the next day, well.

The dissolution of the monasteries in this country caused such huge social upheaval, arguably the biggest shift in societal norms not including war since the Black Death. Dissolution, the first in the Shardlake series, is so good, almost too good, if you haven't had me rant at you about them before bloody hurry up and get the lot and read them!

I currently dragging my way though the 10078 page epic that is Russka by Edward Rutherford (don't expect a review anytime soon, it is MAMMOTH) and have already learnt seventeen different things including that early Russian Orthodox monks would live in caves underground and mortify the flesh as a way of getting closer to God. Which is just amazing.



Basically, I'm just really into the idea of being a medieval nun. Sometimes I really do wish I'd been born seven hundred years ago, but of course, then I wouldn't be able to watch TV adaptations of Cadfael or eat canned soup. Oh well. Another dream dies.

Happy reading!
BookElf xxx

British Library goes Google!

Google (specifically Google Books) has been joining forces with libraries around the world to digitise documents from the past, then making them available to the internet trawling public free of charge!

At the moment, approximately 40 libraries have agreed to take part. While that's exciting in and of itself - I'm particularly thrilled to hear about the most recently announced member of the team.  

The British Library - which holds a humongous collection of over 150 million items - will be digitising some 250000 documents from the 1700 - 1870 era.
It has been announced that a pamphlet about Marie Antoinette will be one of the first works to go online, alongside the 1858 plans by Spanish Inventor Narcis Monturiol for a submarine!

Apparently this will take some time, so nothing's available just yet, but I'll keep you posted. Google will be carrying the cost of the digitisation.

The Chief Executive of the library - Damy Lynne Brindley - sees this scheme as an extension of the original ambitions of the predecessor to the library in the 19th century - which was to make knowledge available to the masses. 

 The British Library collection contains books, journals, newspapers, magazines, stamps, sound & music recordings, patents, databases prints, photographs, drawings and manuscripts, amongst others. If this digitisation goes well, it could lead to other periods of history being similarly covered.

We're very fortunate here in Yorkshire to have one of the BL depot's at Boston Spa, but I for one relish the thought of being able to access these texts from my living room, with a nice cup of coffee, maybe some music on in the background...

This fits in nicely with Google Books stated goal of digitising every unique book by the end of the decade. Don't worry, that's only 129,864,880 books (according to wikipedia), with about 15 million already scanned!

Most of these are books that were out of print, or no longer commercially available. As noted in previous posts, Google Books have been criticised previously for operating a little fast and loose with regards to copyright infringement - particularly in the United States. It would appear that they have switched their focus - for the time being anyway - to older works.

Boston Spa - ain't it pretty?

 If you want an idea of what this *might* look like, check out The Complete Works of Charles Darwin Online. OK, so it's a tenuous link, but it's a great website, and a wonderful way of making these works accessible!

"The way of doing it then was to buy books from the entire world and to make them available in reading rooms.

"We... believe that we are building on this proud tradition of giving access to anyone, anywhere and at any time.
"Our aim is to provide perpetual access to this historical material, and we hope that our collections coupled with Google's know-how will enable us to achieve this aim."

* * * * *

Libraries Table of Contents

* * * * *

Full Table of Contents 

Better than something entirely irrelevent, or your money back

I read a book last week. It was a good book, about a group of women who discover a secret after their friend dies and the drama that this discovery leads to lead the plot. The front cover was in pastels with some baby shoes on it. And a sticker, saying "As Good As Jodi Picoult Or Your Money Back...”

Firstly, who actually is going to do that? Who is going to go back into WHSmith or where ever as be like 'I have collated this collection of reviews from various sources, plus monitored my brainwaves and measured how much my palms sweated and my heart raced whilst reading this book, and then compared this data with my sweat level during my previous reading of 'The [Insert Tragic Device] [Insert Tragic Device]' and, you know what, Jodi was better. Where is my seven ninety nine?

Secondly, you can't say one book is better or worse than another book based entirely on reader's perception of it because we don't all think the same. Thirdly, since when has a sticker decided what's good?

And it's not just Tragedy Porn. Have you read an alright-crime book recently? Does the writer have an even slightly "foreign" sounding name? If it isn't Steig Larsson reincarnated, I hope you've demanded to see management. Even though The Millennium Trilogy is first off an exposure of misogyny and corruption within the establishment, and the 'crime' aspect of the books is merely one of the many layers of character and theme driven onion-plots, even basic detective drama is being compared with it.

And then there's Twishite. Wuthering Shites was completely repackaged to appeal to a Twishite audience. There were stickers on the books proclaiming this, this, is Bella's favourite book, as if somehow a boring two dimensional walk over of a character approving of a literary classic the other half of my year had to study for GCSE makes it a good book. I am actually quite disappointed that they didn't do "Better Than Twilight, or your money back" stickers on the re-release, as I would have loved to see the look on the fittie from Albion Street Waterstones' (one day, one day) face as I pointed out that actually, WH is pretty fucking rubbish, comparably speaking.

We're never going to have books that aren't compared with other books but this trend for dividing us up into genre that publishing houses are fixated on recently is pissing me off. I read a very wide range of books; I like to think (check out my shelf on goodreads. It’s disappointingly classic and sci-fi free at the moment. Actually looking its not very diverse at all OK DO AS I SAY NOT WHAT I DO, RIGHT?) But I do try to mix up the genres a little; it’s good for the soul.

So this month I'm going to do Opposite Covers Month. If I read a bright pink cover, then next must have a tortured werewolf on it. For every arty swirly beautifulness the next must have some sort of inflammatory heroine standing at the end of a cobbled street in the 30s. Only this way will I be Fighting The System, Ending The Sticker Wars, and going 'ha! See! I don't need to have my reading list dictated by your marketing policy!'...

...even though it probably still will.

Happy Reading!
BookElf