A week ago I read about Margaret MacMillan, the Canadian historian who now teaches at Oxford. She is an acclaimed and award-winning author of books such as Paris 1919, an international bestseller.
She was asked about the books she is reading these days and I was a bit surprised but pleased to see that the novel, Revelation, by C.J.Sansom, was included in her list. Sansom has now written four historical mysteries, set in the time of Henry the Eighth, and the dissolution of the monasteries in sixteenth century Britain. I discovered these novels through one of my journals, The Christian Century. The first two were recommended as meticulously researched and entertaining stories of the period, which give us insight into the religious sensibilities of the era as a "side order."
Since that article Sansom has written two more, with the same central figure, a hunchbacked lawyer named Matthew Shardlake, who proves to be an excellent detective and a keen observer of the hypocrises and politics of religion around him.
Needless to say, I highly recommend them. Has anyone else read these novels?
Paris 1919 was a wonderful read. Will have to check out some C.J.Sansom. If you want a good read about nature in Canada check out Beth Powning.It is like reading a painting.
ReplyDeleteI have read all of C.J.Sansom's novels featuring Matthew Shardlake. I found them to be brilliant entertainment and a great way to learn about that period of England's history when Catholicism was being routed out and the monasteries dissolved. There is an engaging mystery at the heart of each novel which makes for a great read. I hope there will be another in the series forthcoming!
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