Unlike many historical fiction writers, Brit Bernard Cornwell doesn't specialise in a particular period. Rather, his interests encompass virtually the lot. And when he chooses a popular age, it's because he finds something in his research that his colleagues have missed.
Like them, he observes the literary form of assuring the reader that the story is the product of his imagination.
If the Fools And Mortals title of Cornwell's latest novel seems familiar, it should. It comes from the Bard's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It alerts us to the book's subject matter -- the immortal William Shakespeare himself. Cornwell's angle -- it's the story as told by his younger brother, Richard.
As is the case with more than a few siblings, they didn't get along. As the playwright became increasingly famous, the would-be actor had little talent and no respect. A more familiar figure in the bawdy house than on the stage, not above theft.
Cornwell informs us that plays until the mid-16th century were performed by touring groups in halls, homes and outdoors. The same play shown numerous times to different audiences. When theatres were built for the same audiences, new plays had to be written, hence Shakespeare et al.
The Puritans controlling London disapproved of entertainment. But Queen Elizabeth I and her successor James overrode them. The author's plot deals with a stolen manuscript. Has Richard stolen it? Was William an accomplice? Lots of sword-fighting, real and in the plays.
A number of historians have brought up questions about the Bard over the years, which Cornwell answers and means to put to rest. The foremost being did Shakespeare pen Shakespeare's plays? Definitely. The evidence that he did is overwhelming. Absolutely.
English literature teachers used to shove Shakespeare down your throat, as it were. Nowadays, he's a selective course. To those who don't read him, this reviewer urges you to see the screen versions.
Canadian thriller
I can't remember the last time I read a Canadian novel -- good, bad or otherwise. Doubtless they publish more than a few. But for some reason, none crossed my desk, until now. Come to think of it, the same applies to Canadian films. Perhaps their Chamber of Commerce needs a wake-up call.
The reason this reviewer brings up the subject is that a Canadian work of fiction did reach me. Its blurb informs us that it's the 14th crime thriller by former Toronto Star columnist Linwood Barclay. He's no James Patterson or Clive Cussler, yet Parting Shot holds our interest throughout.
The author captures small town life like Sinclair Lewis did in Main Street. Parting Shot, the title, is meant to be taken literally. The plot is original if not entirely credible, but that ought to be overlooked. Young Jeremy admits that he was drunk when he hit and ran over a teenage girl.
Though he doesn't recall it, he was behind the steering wheel when the car (his own) crashed into a tree. A clever lawyer gets him probation, noting that he was pampered growing up and never learnt to accept responsibility. Prison would certainly kill him.
The public, led by the media, howl for justice. Cursed, harassed, threatened, Jeremy's life, his mother's, his aunt's become a living hell. Private investigator Cal Weaver is hired to protect him. He persuades detective Barry Duckworth to assist as needed.
Barclay leaves us in no doubt that small towns have more than their share of major crimes. Revenge is a leading motive when the law is too lenient. Greed and jealousy are close behind. Needless to say, families have secrets, resulting in intimidation, blackmail, beatings, even death.
Weaver's investigation turns up facts uncovered at the trial. Such as Jeremy never having learned to drive. Not averse to using his sidearm, Weaver kills in self-defence. Finding the man who sent his attacker -- the owner of the car Jeremy was in -- it's a short step to learning what really happened that night.
It's an exaggeration to call Linwood Barclay a master of suspense or a brilliant manipulator of twists and turns. Nevertheless, he provides both. Going 500 pages, Parting Shot is over by 100 pages for what it offers. I'd rank it with the detective stories coming out of Scandinavia.
