Helpful Score: 5
I have been reading historical fiction for over 40 years. (I began at the age of 10 with Jean Plaidy - who still rules.) In particular, the first 15-20 or so years were particularly focused on England during the Tudor era (not including Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, to my embarassment).
I hovered around this book for a couple of years after it came out. One reservation was that I was unsure as to whether someone could give me a new perspective into the events of those years. Secondly, I had not read anything by Bennett and there were plenty of books by authors I was familiar with in the bookstore. (I wasn't a member of PBS back then, although I imagine this novel was on peoples' waiting lists for quite a long time - probably still is.) Thirdly, how interesting could Thomas More and Hans Holbein be?
Eventually, of course, I did buy the book and - Oh MY!!! Bennett gives you the perspective of a fly on the wall of a most unusual household. Her research is astounding. Secondly, although not much seems to be really known about Hans Holbein, she gives a convincing portrayal of one hypothesis about the man's personality. Thirdly (yes, it's true, I count too much!), it gives the reader a fascinating glimpse into the world of artistic history and symbolism.
The raison d'etre, as it were, for this plot lies in the famous Holbein portrayal (actually, portrayals) of the More menage. (Why am I adding all this French? I don't even SPEAK French!)
Now Bennett adds a few twists and turns about the painting, historical characters and events. Interestingly enough, the tale is quite believable. This is especially amazing in my eyes because she beautifully blends theory with reality in a stunningly convincing way.
There are many fictional tales written about some of the characters in this novel (and non-fiction research, as well) which contradict this text. Yet, even though my intellect tells me that it is highly unlikely that many of the events in this book actually happened, my emotions have completely fallen for Bennett's take on them.
Whether or not you agree with her is up to you. But in my opinion, Bennett is a master novelist.
A wonderful book.
I hovered around this book for a couple of years after it came out. One reservation was that I was unsure as to whether someone could give me a new perspective into the events of those years. Secondly, I had not read anything by Bennett and there were plenty of books by authors I was familiar with in the bookstore. (I wasn't a member of PBS back then, although I imagine this novel was on peoples' waiting lists for quite a long time - probably still is.) Thirdly, how interesting could Thomas More and Hans Holbein be?
Eventually, of course, I did buy the book and - Oh MY!!! Bennett gives you the perspective of a fly on the wall of a most unusual household. Her research is astounding. Secondly, although not much seems to be really known about Hans Holbein, she gives a convincing portrayal of one hypothesis about the man's personality. Thirdly (yes, it's true, I count too much!), it gives the reader a fascinating glimpse into the world of artistic history and symbolism.
The raison d'etre, as it were, for this plot lies in the famous Holbein portrayal (actually, portrayals) of the More menage. (Why am I adding all this French? I don't even SPEAK French!)
Now Bennett adds a few twists and turns about the painting, historical characters and events. Interestingly enough, the tale is quite believable. This is especially amazing in my eyes because she beautifully blends theory with reality in a stunningly convincing way.
There are many fictional tales written about some of the characters in this novel (and non-fiction research, as well) which contradict this text. Yet, even though my intellect tells me that it is highly unlikely that many of the events in this book actually happened, my emotions have completely fallen for Bennett's take on them.
Whether or not you agree with her is up to you. But in my opinion, Bennett is a master novelist.
A wonderful book.
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