In the High Peaks
















Friday, September 26, 2014

A Mini-Post of What's to Come

Late September is peak foliage and we're having unbelievably beautiful Indian Summer weather at the same time. That means no work gets done anywhere and everyone gets out to enjoy the show.

So this is just a post to say that I'm planning on blogging about the incomparable medieval historical/thriller A Burnable Book by Bruce Holsinger. The novel is set in 1385, in Chaucer's day. I want to emphasize that Holsinger is not only an incredible storyteller but also an academic who has spent his career specializing in medieval studies. Actually, he is an expert on the history of vellum--the animal skins (parchment) that was used as paper in the 14th Century. I loved this novel so--Holsinger knows the medieval streets of London, Southwark, and Westminster inside out. I personally loved A Burnable Book more than Wolf Hall, though I would never claim that Holsinger's is the better book. Mantel's work is impeccable, of course, and, as I've stated previously, I do suffer from Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII fatigue! So, readers, do take this into account.

I am looking forward to giving more information about the Russian Literature Month in January. But gosh, that might have to wait for foul weather, which is sure to arrive sometime next week.

And I need to say that I'm participating in Caroline's and Lizzy's German Literary Month in November. Won't you join us? I have found my participation to be extremely rewarding.

More to come...


6 comments:

  1. looking forward to reading more about this book, which actually was already on my TBR

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    1. What I can say after just finishing A Burnable Book is that it was immensely readable (caps on readable), had a great story and nailbiting suspense, and was so authentically revealed.

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  2. I've come across a wide variety of responses to this novel and so am still debating whether or not to read it. I shall look forward to what you have to say about it.

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    1. What I loved about A Burnable Book was I felt I was there--and because I'm intensely interested in history and know something about medieval times, I felt that I learned many new things. Not only that, the characters were exceedingly well-developed, the plot suspenseful, and??? I loved it.

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  3. looking forward to russian lit month very much ,can't wait to see your details

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    1. Hi, Stu,
      I hope to get those details UP as soon as possible. My October 30 post explains why I'm so behind with everything blog-wise. Hope to make up for it now.
      Thanks for your interest, Stu!
      Judith

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