Not a Romance! - Rated 
I would take issue with those who would regard this book as a 'romance' -it is certainly not, in the modern idiomatic usuage, a 'romance'. Rather, it is the antithesis of such; dark, brooding, and doom-laden. We know that there can be no 'happy ending'....from the onset, we are invited to accompany a tale of great, and heavy sadness. It is truly a story of 'what-might-have-been' - a tale of lost truths, of wickedness and deceit; of propaganda and manipulation.
I first read this book in 1972 and I recall having felt 'bruised' by its unrelenting insistence; Jarman does nothing to spare the reader. Now, having just reread the book, I note that nothing has changed! However, hopefully being now a tad more mature, I can better appreciate the relevence of wider connotations; which alas, did not help my almost crippling reluctance to join Jarman's powerful, almost obsessive, journey of revelation, to the bitter end. This book remains for me, as one of the most haunting and emotionally draining of all my 'reading experiences' - it is not, in any sense, an 'easy read'. It is, however, a truly great book.
Rosemary Jarman's thesis predates much modern research that has served to partially, as yet, discount much of the rewriting of history by the Tudors. The misconceptions of our 'education' are not necessarily 'accidental'.....something we ought never to forget!
Lovely, but maybe too much brooding - Rated 
Certainly a well-written book, and I did enjoy it. Unlike some books dealing with this period, it's a more domestic, subtle and low-key perpective on Richard of Gloucester, future Richard III, written from the point of view of "the Nut-Brown Maid", a very young servant who falls in love with the teenage Richard, and in the second part of the book, from the point of view of a lively Fool at court. So, far away from the 'blockbuster' school of historical fiction, nor does it fit into the romance mould. Rather than show the machinations of kings, you get an insight instead into the less dramatic lives of the courtiers. It's quite a sensual book (by which I don't mean erotic), with an emphasis on the natural environment, smells and textures, and some nimble characterisation.
Unfortunately, perhaps I have read too many 'Richard III, Romantic Hero' books recently, because the love affair at the centre of this novel was a little disappointing. Richard himself does not seem particularly charismatic, quite stiffly characterised as a careworn, distant young man. To be fair, this may well be more realistic, considering his experiences and responsibilities at such a young age, than for example the passionate, twinkly-eyed lover Richard of Sharon Penman's The Sunne in Splendour. Hawley Jarman's Richard is still a sympathetic character, serious in his loyalty, but is only seen through the eyes of others and comes off as a bit of an exaggerated brooder in his dialogue. The dialogue, though energetic, leans towards the olde-fashioned and although it runs quite smoothly, I can't help but think that there is never a place for "Great Jesu!", especially not a lovelorn scene of romance. And the romantic dialogue is a bit OTT in places:
" "We shall be caught up in the fire, my lord!" "We are in the fire already" he muttered, his face in my hair."
And that's just Richard with the Nut Brown Maid - his rescue/proposal scene with Anne Neville is more so: "To the Devil with the estates!" he shouts furiously of her vast inheritance. Anne and Richard's future is neatly signed and sealed in the course of five exaggeratedly tempestuous minutes, complete with tears.
I would still recommend it, though, and will probably be ordering the sequel. It's nicely atmospheric, particularly when Hawley Jarman turns her attention to the wholly fictional or lesser-known characters.
Unashamedly romantic novel about Richard III - Rated
This book was written in the 1970s and so the style of writing is very different from popular historical novels written today a la Gregory. It is much denser stylistically, with an obvious penchant for avoiding anachronisms in language. That might make it slightly hard going for readers brought up on the simplistic style of current writers, but it is well worth a read.
Jarman is unashamedly romantic and while the setting is the court of Edward IV, this is a far cry from Penman's Sunne in Splendour - or rather a different take on the story. Jarman concentrates on human (romantic) emotions rather than political intrigue and battles, making Richard a romantic and haunting figure.
Brilliant on atmosphere, the tangible feel and smell of Tudor England, I really enjoyed this book (there's a sequel which I'm eagerly about to start, always a good sign) though don't expect to tell you anything about the political history of the time (and why should it, being a piece of fiction?)
|
