A Burnable Book: A Novel

What do you get when you combine historical late 14th century London (and Italy), a bunch of historical characters (Geoffrey Chaucer, John Gower, King Richard II), and MANY others, including several ladies of the night (and day), with a treasonable book of prophecy filled with cryptic prophecies concerning the death of the past 12 Kings AND the current King. Well, you get a whole lot of plotting and treachery and detective work, AND A REALLY FINE READ. It is rather long. It is not light reading. But it is lots of fun and very interesting. I happen to really like historical novels. I happen to really like detailed books. I happen to really like stories of investigation. And I most especially like novels with a few totally unexpected twists (or swerves). (Who wants boring?) I was not surprised to discover some ladies of the night in this book. I was a bit surprised to find how significant a role they played. And I was totally surprised to find that one of them was actually a guy. If you too like complicated historical novels with some unexpected twists, you will love this book.

Although I'm not usually a reader of mysteries, historical or otherwise, I was intrigued by the appearance of poet John Gower as the main character and his friend, Geoffrey Chaucer, as a secondary character. Holsinger creates a detailed and fascinating portrait at medieval London (or, as he would have it, three cities: London, Westminster, and Southwark), from the court of Richard II to the stews of Gropecunt Lane. The first chapter is designed to draw the reader in, and that it did. A young woman, Agnes Fonteyn, is hiding in the bushes, watching a horrific scene. Another young woman, this one dressed in rich attire, has just shoved a book into Agnes's hands as her pursuer approaches. Viciously beating the stranger, he keeps asking a question that Agnes does not understand--"Doovray libroo?"--before brutally killing her with a hammer. And thus the mystery begins. Gower, a lawyer as well as a part-time poet, hears rumors of a mysterious book full of cryptic prophecies that describe the deaths of thirteen kings of England, the last being the current young king, Richard II. The book, and cloth that covers it, point towards the king's uncle, John of Gaunt, as the mastermind of the assassination plot. Gower's search for the book and his efforts to unravel its secrets take him from the Inns of Court to the remote libraries of Oxford, from the royal court to the brothels of Southwark. And he is not the only one interested in the book. His friend Chaucer has asked him to find it, and Agnes, her sister Millicent, and their friend, a transvestite prostitute named Edgar/Elinor, at first ponder its mysteries but then decide to seek a buyer. And there are many interested in this burnable book. Along the way, Holsinger provides plenty of subplots. There's Gower's relationship with his estranged son Simon; Elinor's attempts to save her butcher's apprentice brother Gerald from his brutal master; the power and pull of Kathryn Swynford, Gaunt's mistress; Simon's service to an English mercenary in Italy; and the sad story of the murdered young woman. So with all this going on, why did my interest start to wane about 2/3 through the book? I can only attribute it to my lack of interest in the mystery genre. Regular readers of historical mysteries will undoubtedly find it more appealing. The book is very well written and the world it creates fully fleshed out; the characters are each, in their own ways, fascinating and sympathetic; and the books structure, a series of short chapters moving amongst the various characters, works well. But I'm just not a fan of the genre and will likely pass on the sequel.

This book was an entertaining read. There were some loose ends that did not ever really get tied up. In some cases it felt like in trying to get the history right the plot is sacrificed. The author is a scholar of medieval literature, and it shows in his attention to scholarly details but his character development feels a little too one dimensional by comparison. But overall I did enjoy reading this book.

Shakespeare would have loved this one. In what form does a mans love or infatuation towards a beautiful woman take and how does it transform into an artifact as dangerous as any weapon of mass destruction ; words so powerful that their journey, passing through the many hands of a medieval London, becomes life or death. Ready for some time traveling some six hundred years ago with some luminary characters.. I would love to give a short synopsis of this wonderful intricately woven medieval subterfuge with a cast of characters who to some will be old friends but I will honor my no spoiler modus operandi in documenting brief opinions on my reads. A nice comfortable reading chair, a little Port and Raine my feline bunk mate sprawled out on the hooked rug before the fire were the backdrop for total immersion into a thin slice of medieval England, beautifully wrought by an expert in the field. While navigating the warrens of old London, the inner sanctums of Royalty, an Oxford that had seen better days or the encampments of those that thirst for power, you are taken on an incredible bumpy and convoluted trip through a world that at once seems too raw in human foible and yet all too familiar but perhaps more veiled. The extremely dangerous mission of locating a book that the narrator, poet, esquire and self stylized chanteur or singer of information accepts from his very close friend, Geoffrey Chaucer will lead him, you, through a tangle of assassins, power mongers, maudlyns and jacks, bishops, princes, dukes, kings and knights. A bit of a let down today. The writer, bringing forth his own inimitable expertise of the time along with exhaustive research to the degree that you the reader become transported almost seamlessly to a fascinating moment in our history. I actually recommend reading ~ a note to the reader ~ in the back of the book to perhaps get a feel for the historical characters. Joan Rugg threw back her head, cackling incautiously. "Who'd have thought it?" The bawd smoothed her dress over her generous thighs, her chins aglow in the lamplight: a bullfrog's throat on a moonlit pond. "The very king of England, by the cross, and his life in the hands of five whores!"

A Burnable Book is a richly textured read that like a savory pie needs to be enjoyed slowly. We have the crust that is the first gripping chapter that draws the eye of the reader and tempts the curious to sample more, then as the shell is broken the reader will be surprised to uncover an assortment of complex characters that all have a hand in touching a potentially dangerous book called "Book of The Deaths of English Kings". Set in 14th-century England and beyond the realm, the reader is submerged into the darker side of the lanes and liberties of human drudgery and misery that pervaded many lives of those of the period. Narrations and views switch between those of the genteel standing, the unfortunate who specialize in self preservation and the others who battle their principles and private demons. The meat of the story is the hunt across the divided four corners of London, Southswark and Westminster for a book that contains 13 prophecies of historical significance. The sauce thickens as time is of the essence because the surrounding church bells ring and the risk escalates for those already involved and yet another soul views the pages of the poisonous book, a deadly countdown has begun and it appears no one is exempt from the fickle wheel of fate. In the end, this was a difficult but a worthwhile read for this reader. I will the first to admit that at many times my mind strayed to the other books I had waiting for me but there was just something so unique and interesting about this one that I just stepped away for a time then returned. So glad I did this and I encourage any frustrated reader to do the same. Just step away and come back because Mr. Holsinger will reward you with a truly standout tale that has many multifaceted puzzles, historical details and pulls such a diverse characterization from the medieval class that will have the patient reader applauding such a daring debut. Although at times for this reader A Burnable Book could be a little salty with a few overly vivid images and scenes and the ending a little cluttered and sometimes confusing with so many multi-layered secrets and motives. That all aside, A Burnable Book is a rich historical detailed read that is simply a book to savor.

Historical novels are difficult to write. Not only must the story grip the reader, but the setting must come alive. There can't be any mistakes. One anachronism and history becomes science fiction. In "A Burnable Book" Bruce Holsinger shows himself well up to the task. London in the 1380's is not a pretty place. Life is hard and the place stinks, literally it smells bad. A few (royalty) live in luxury though by our standards even their lives are not pretty. There are artists, artisans, and the clergy who can afford a little space, a decent roof over their heads, adequate food, and then there are the great unwashed who must live and often die as they can. Each of these groups is represented here and the story woven among them is nothing short of well told. Geoffrey Chaucer himself is among the story's protagonists as is his best friend John Gower (a real historical person) who is center stage here, but each of the aforementioned groups plays its role with the poorest among them playing the biggest part. Holsinger a superb scholar of the period reflected in the story's pace which, while it must hurry as much as horseback can manage when the King is to be saved, moves along at the pace of 14th century life. I especially liked the middle-English dialogue of the story's favoured characters, a bevy of prostitutes, but multiple stories are expertly woven together here relating important history never recorded for reasons well explained. All in all an excellent tale. Highly recommended.

Filled with period details, this historical fiction/mystery will immerse the reader in 14th-century England. The main plot involves two historical writers, John Gower and Geoffrey Chaucer, friends who become entangled in a mission to discover who is trying to sew discord in King Richard II’s court. Chaucer comes to Gower and requests his help finding a seditious, prophetic book that, in the wrong hands, could facilitate a French invasion of England. Gower is the right man to penetrate his contacts’ secrets and motives. His ability to uncover information and use it is widely known. In a later time, the man would have made an excellent detective or spy. Unfortunately for him, his friend Chaucer has left out some critical information that could cost Gower his liberty or life. Gower makes the rounds of lords, officials, and even prostitutes to glean clues. Meanwhile, his errant son, Simon, returns to London from a job he had in Italy. What is not clear is why he is back. Gower had been anxious for Simon to leave England to avoid prosecution for a man’s death during a fight. His return jeopardizes his father and him at a particularly bad time. The pleasure of reading this novel is due to the immersive experience. Readers feel like they are peering over Gower’s shoulder as the plot unfolds. Several point-of-view characters, including prostitutes, one of whom is a young boy who dresses as a woman, provide insight into the brutal realities of life at that time. I did think that the plot was overly obscure. It was hard sometimes to remember all the details of conversations between characters and who the characters were. There were also times when too much information was dumped all at once. The author provided a couple of pages in the front of the book listing characters and their titles so the reader could quickly reference them. I enjoyed reading the book mainly for being transported to medieval England and not for solving the mystery. Readers of English history and students of medieval literature should thoroughly enjoy the book.

This is an interesting piece of historical fiction/mystery set in 14th century England. Among its characters are actual historical figures Geoffrey Chaucer, John of Gaunt, John de Vere and King Richard II. The story line centers upon a mysterious book that purports to be a prophesy of the death of the 13 English Kings since William the Conqueror, including the current, living King. Possession of such a book would be deemed treason and several different factions battle for ownership of the work, for various reasons. Court intrigue is the order of the day, as the book finds itself in the possession of a group of prostitutes. Parts of the story are intriguing, and there are several different threads, some of which are certainly more entertaining and even educational then others. All in all, it is a pretty average effort in the mystery genre, moved up slightly by its setting in medieval England.

The murder of a girl outside the city walls, a snatch of verse and a book – thus begins “A Burnable Book”. Meanwhile, Geoffrey Chaucer asks John Gower, his poet and ‘information gatherer’ friend, to find for him ... a missing book. John searches ‘high’ and ‘low’, from the splendour of palaces to the squalor of the ‘stews’, places of intrigue, treachery & more. As John searches, in a race of time, he hears snatches of verses; what do they mean? Will he find the book in time? And what will he do then? Set in a late 14th century London, Southwark, Westminster, and further afield & teeming with characters (listed in the front, along with a map & genealogy chart of the English Kings & nobles – very useful!); through this medieval world of contrasts, John Gower searches, meeting Richard II, the ‘maudlyns’ of Rose Alley and others, in all walks of life. From the beginning I was totally immersed & involved in this medieval mystery & found the ‘titbits’ on medieval life and times, scattered throughout, thoroughly absorbing, adding to my imagination of a world both known and yet so different! (And if you can’t see how the letter fits in, do read on - all will be revealed …) An intriguing, fascinating & ‘un-put-down-able’ historical novel; & you don’t have to know the political or social history behind it to enjoy this tale (you may find however, like me, that you want to find out more after reading it!). I loved it, 5 stars & eagerly awaiting Bruce Holsinger’s next novel!

Excellent historical thriller as is the author's following book(also a great read) - I only wish that the author included a glossary at the back as some of the Middle English expressions are difficult to decipher - I have had to purchase a Middle English dictionary!

Zum Inhalt Die junge Prostituierte Agnes Fonteyn wird Zeugin des Mordes an einer jungen Frau, die ein brisantes Manuskript gestohlen haben soll. Bevor die Frau von ihrem Verfolger eingeholt worden ist, hat sie Agnes das Manuskript übergeben. Agnes und zwei befreundete Kolleginnen vom Straßenstrich der Gropecunt Lane überlegen, wem sie dieses Manuskript meistbietend verkaufen können. Sie ahnen nicht, in welche Gefahr sie sich begeben. Auch der Dichter und Spion John Gower ist – im Auftrag keines Geringeren als Geoffrey Chaucer - auf der Suche nach dem Manuskript. Es handelt sich um eine Sammlung von Versen unter dem Titel „Liber de Mortibus Regum Anglorum“, die sich mit dem Ableben der englischen Könige seit William the Conqueror beschäftigen und für den gegenwärtigen König Richard II den Tod durch ein Attentat im Frühjahr 1385 voraussagen. Dieses Werk, das aus dem Hause von Katherine Swynford (Geliebte des John of Gaunt) gestohlen wurde, darf auf keinen Fall an die Öffentlichkeit gelangen. Gower soll das Manuskript wiederfinden, die Umstände seiner Entstehung entschlüsseln und herausfinden, ob Richard tatsächlich tödliche Gefahr droht und wie der König geschützt werden kann. Bei seinen Ermittlungen tun sich Abgründe auf und Gower muss feststellen, dass er Menschen, die er gut zu kennen glaubt, falsch eingeschätzt hat. Beurteilung Der Roman besteht aus mehreren Handlungssträngen. Der „Serienheld“ und Ich-Erzähler John Gower forscht im Auftrag Chaucers nach dem verschollenen Manuskript; anlässlich der Rückkehr seines Sohnes Simon, der nach einem unglückseligen Vorfall einige Jahre vorher das Land verlassen und nach Italien gehen musste, erfährt der Leser auch allerhand über die Vergangenheit der Familie Gower. Simon hat während seiner Abwesenheit von England für John Hawkwood in Florenz gearbeitet, auch dieser Mann spielt eine Rolle im gegenwärtigen Geschehen in London. Der zweite große Erzählstrang ist in der dritten Person erzählt, hier wird von den Aktivitäten der Prostituierten berichtet. Agnes Fonteyn, ihre Schwester Millicent und Eleanor/Edgar Rykener, ein transsexueller „Kollege“, versuchen, einen Käufer für das Buch zu finden. Die Gefahren für Leib und Leben, die ihnen dabei drohen, überblicken sie nicht. Ein weiterer Handlungsstrang ist in kursiver Schrift eingefügt, er scheint zunächst in keinem Zusammenhang zur Haupthandlung zu stehen. Der Leser erfährt vorerst nicht, wer der Erzähler ist, der über Ereignisse aus der Zeit von König Richards Vater, des Schwarzen Prinzen, berichtet. Aufgrund der verschiedenen Handlungsstränge und der großen Anzahl an (größtenteils historischen) Romanfiguren ist die Lektüre zunächst etwas sperrig und unübersichtlich, man muss sich erst einlesen. Die sehr komplexe, verwickelte Handlung mit vielen Wendungen und ein gehobenes Sprachniveau verlangsamen den Lesefortschritt. Der Autor hat gründlich recherchiert, nimmt sich Zeit zur Ausgestaltung seiner Charaktere und gibt einen intensiven Einblick in das mittelalterliche Leben auf Londons Straßen. Selbst die Figur des/der transsexuellen Prostituierten ist nicht frei erfunden, sondern an einem realen Vorbild orientiert. Auch der derbe Sprachstil im Umfeld der Prostituierten und anderer Angehörigen der Unterschicht wirkt authentisch. Das Personenverzeichnis und der Stadtplan des mittelalterlichen Londons sind hilfreich, dennoch ist „A Burnable Book“ ein Roman, für den man Konzentration und Zeit mitbringen sollte. Fazit Inhaltlich und sprachlich ziemlich anspruchsvoll, auf jeden Fall eine lohnende Lektüre, wenn man Interesse und Konzentration mitbringt! Die Homepage des Autors ist sehr informativ.

I enjoyed this gripping historical murder & conspiracy tale set in the reign of Richard II. I had to look up some of the historical characters but I enjoyed Chaucer's role, in particular, in this story. At all times the scenes appeared authentic. This book should appeal to all who like complicated plots with lots of interesting characters.

I really enjoyed this book, the author obviously knows his period back to front and inside out. I found the evocation of medieval life fascinating, you could all but smell the dung !! The characters(especially the mauds) came alive off the page and the dialogue was convincing without the faux Old English used by authors of less skill. What prevented it from having five stars for me was the story which I found a bit thin, but all in all I would be very interested to read more by this author.