Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Firedrake's Eye by Patricia Finney ISBN: 0-312-18094-2 Publisher: Picador USA Pub. Date: 01 February, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.92 (13 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Great Elizabethan thriller, excellent prose style...
Comment: This book has very well conceived gritty characters. The three main ones are David Becket, a toughened gentleman and swordmaster who fell on hard times fighting in the Netherlands; Simon Ames, a Jewish Portuguese agent of spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham, and 'Tom O'Bedlam' an old law school buddy of Becket's who has given way to madness, who sees angels and devils everywhere, and has an alternate personality called "The Clever One." The story has action and intrigue which is made all the more compelling since it is narrated, at least mostly, by "The Clever One," who because of Tom's discourse with angels can see events as they happen to others. The Elizabethan color permeates the text in an attractively idiosyncratic way. Walsingham makes for the most lively Historical character. In the beginning of the book he is suffering from kidney stones, and Ames' uncle, Dr. Hector Nunez, attends him. Finney takes the time to delve into Walsingham's psyche pondering the effect that being present at St. Bartholomew's massacre when he was Ambassador to Paris may have had on him. This only adds to our understanding of both his role and the intrigue which is the main portion of the story. Other historical characters presented, include Walsingham's son-in-law Sir Phillip Sidney who is working on a procession float for the Queen in the shape of "The Dragon of Discord." And another not so well known historical character, Laurence Pickering, 'the King of Thieves', makes an important contribution to the plot. There are still more interesting characterizations and relationships developed, many quite sad, but I don't want to give too much away. The writing style, above all, impresses. It is really effective and poetic. I felt as though every word was being read to me and didn't want to miss a single one.
Rating: 5
Summary: Highly entertaining, informative and well-paced
Comment: As an performer who protrays Elizabeth, I found this book a very entertaining and informative glimpse into daily life in Elizabethan times. The writing style the author uses gives a flavor of the period while still being understandable. The characters are colorful, sympathetic and skilfully drawn. The plot weaves through historical fact and political intrigue so cleverly that the reader ingests a great deal of the historical period without even being conscious of being taught (a hallmark of a skillful writer). I highly recommend this historical novel which is more authentic than many so-called scholarly historical books. This is a great read for anyone with an interest in Elizabethan times. However, do not expect to learn much about Elizabeth the person, for although the book deals with an assassination plot against her, she is only in the background of the book.
Rating: 1
Summary: Major disappointment
Comment: I couldn't make head nor tail of it all and got rather upset about it. What a waste of time and energy!
 |
Title: Gloriana's Torch: A Novel by Patricia Finney ISBN: 0312312857 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
 |
Title: Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon ISBN: 0385337477 Publisher: Delacorte Press Pub. Date: 30 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
 |
Title: A Famine of Horses : A Sir Robert Carey Mystery (Missing Mystery, #14) by P. F. Chisholm ISBN: 1890208272 Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Pub. Date: 25 December, 1999 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
 |
Title: Seen By Moonlight by Kathleen Eschenburg ISBN: 0380815680 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 30 December, 2003 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
 |
Title: A Season of Knives (Missing Mystery, 18) by P. F. Chisholm, Dana Stabenow, P.F. Chisholm ISBN: 1890208329 Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Pub. Date: 01 May, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
