Everyone knows the legend of Lady Godiva - the woman who (in)famously rode naked on horseback through Coventry to relieve her people from unfair taxation. But why would a lady of the court take it all off and risk everything, including husband, home and well-being?
Everyone knows the legend of Lady Godiva - the woman who (in)famously rode naked on horseback through Coventry to relieve her people from unfair taxation. But why would a lady of the court take it all off and risk everything, including husband, home and well-being? In this richly imagined retelling of an oft-told ancient tale, Nicole Galland presents Lady Godiva in all her glory, as she and her best friend (the Abbess Egdiva) and husband (Leofric, Earl of Mercia) embark on an adventure filled with courtly intrigue, deceit, back-stabbing and romance.
...... Outer back cover.
FIRST SENTENCE: An Uncorrected proof copy, I have been asked not to use any quotations. PW
MEMORABLE MOMENT: As above.
MY THOUGHTS: Not something that particularly bothers me in other genres but once again here we have the story, albeit a fictionalised account, of what after all is a quintessentially English woman marred by the use of American spellings. Arguably only a small detail but to me an important one.
An okay if rather unimaginative account of what is described as 'a brilliantly crafted retelling of the legend of Godiva' made slightly more enjoyable by the inspired inclusion of Edviga, abbess, best friend and foster sister of Godiva, whose story I found much more plausible.
Set in the 11th century. Whilst I acknowledge that by necessity the writing of Godiva (or any historical fiction for that matter) combines historical fact with a certain amount of conjecture, the character of Godiva in this instance seemed to be way more of the latter. A shame really when she (or at least her riding naked through Coventry) is perhaps one of the better known historical characters of that period..
Disclaimer: An Uncorrected Proof copy, Godiva will not be published until the 11th of July, read and reviewed on behalf of NEWBOOKS magazine, I was merely asked for my honest opinion, no financial compensation was asked for nor given.
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10 comments:
A shame it's not based more on historical fact. That's a story I really don't know well (other than the obvious) and would enjoy knowing more.
Sorry the language was off and it wasn't beauituflly crafted
I actually like retellings so I might enjoy this one more than you. Oh and... "marred by the use of American spellings" ROFL! Just put an e on the end of it. ;)
Too bad it didn't live up to its potential!
Sorry you didn't enjoy this one more. I don't know much about Lady Godiva except for the naked horseback riding. I am curious to know more about her!
Too bad that this was disappointing. I think that the story had a lot of potential. This was also a very interesting time period.
I actually didn't know the legend! Now I'm curious!
Sounds like this might have been better than it was, it does seem like an interesting subject to take on.
I'm embarrass to admit that I didn't know the Godiva story ..love her chocolates though! LOL. --Sorry it fell short ..yikes, American spelling, I'd be in the same boat.
That's too bad it disappointed. The legend of Lady Godiva is something that would make for a great historical novel if done correctly.
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