Disappointing, especially as I approached this with very fond memories of Neill's "Mist Over Pendle."
This is a good old-fashioned historical romp. Neill manages to walk a fine fine between historical accuracy and "odds-bodkins" dialogue and descriptions.
I just wish I cared: about the characters, about the context. "Mist Over Pendle" comes with an immediate dramatic hook: witchcraft, possible injustice, high drama. This story of the predicament of Catholics in the North of England, during the Restoration requires a lot of exposition, and a lot of added drama (star-crossed romance between two of the most annoying young people you would ever want to meet; lace smuggling) to try to rub the sticks of a plot together.
Especially disappointing because I live about five miles north of the setting -- but I don't feel that the atmosphere of 17th century south Lancashire is particularly well done.
This is a good old-fashioned historical romp. Neill manages to walk a fine fine between historical accuracy and "odds-bodkins" dialogue and descriptions.
I just wish I cared: about the characters, about the context. "Mist Over Pendle" comes with an immediate dramatic hook: witchcraft, possible injustice, high drama. This story of the predicament of Catholics in the North of England, during the Restoration requires a lot of exposition, and a lot of added drama (star-crossed romance between two of the most annoying young people you would ever want to meet; lace smuggling) to try to rub the sticks of a plot together.
Especially disappointing because I live about five miles north of the setting -- but I don't feel that the atmosphere of 17th century south Lancashire is particularly well done.
