Holsinger is also a fiction writer, the author of two historical novels set in ricardian england. Washington post a burnable book is fragrant with the stench of medieval london. A burnable book, bruce holsingers debut novel is set in england during the reign of richard ii. The invention of fire harpercollinswilliam morrow 2015. In chaucers london, betrayal, murder, royal intrigue, mystery, and dangerous politics swirl around the existence of a prophetic book that foretells the death of englands kings in this irresistible historical thriller, reminiscent of the classics an instance of the fingerpost, the name of the. College admissions scandal the wall street journal holsinger. Only a few powerful men know that the cryptic lines derive from a burnable book, a seditious work that threatens the stability of the realm. Chaucer a renowned poet along with his friend gower goes for the search of the book in order to end the instability in the realm. The burnable book joins a heavy shelf of novels about intrepid literary folk.
A burnable book deschutes public library overdrive. It was published by william morrow paperbacks and has a total of 464 pages in the book. Outside the walls of london, agnes, a maudlyn, or prostitute, observes the murder, by a cloaked, italian. Feb 16, 2014 in this endeavor, bruce holsinger is a gamekeeper turned poacher. A burnable book is a richly textured read that like a savory pie needs to be enjoyed slowly. A medieval scholar at the university of virginia, he specializes in culture, religion and literature. A burnable book is also the title of holsingers new historical thriller, set in the 14th century, with geoffrey chaucer as one of the main characters medieval noir, you might call it, he said in a recent interview.
This was set in fourteenthcentury england during the reign of king richard ii, and has holsinger s protagonist john gowerat the instigation of geoffrey chaucer hunt down a supposedly revolutionary book, in which a series of poems predict the deaths of the kings of england. Bruce holsinger is a fiction writer and scholar of medieval literature who teaches at the university of virginia in charlottesville. A burnable book by bruce holsinger 2014, cd, unabridged. I am less keen on holsingers character construction, particularly that of chaucer and gower. A book of poems prophesying the death of english kings, including the newly crowned king richard ii, is all anyone can talk about. A burnable book, by bruce holsinger the washington post.
This week sees the publication of a burnable book by bruce holsinger, a stunning debut historical thriller set in the turbulent 14th century. The title of this book is a burnable book and it was written by bruce holsinger. His first two novels, a burnable book and the invention of fire, are set in and around medieval london, where the poets geoffrey chaucer and john gower spent much of their lives. In chaucers london, betrayal, murder and intrigue swirl around th.
Before i was a third of the way into the book, i was flipping back to the first pages, eager to follow the trail holsinger was blazing. Surrounded by ruthless courtiersincluding his powerful uncle, john of gaunt, and gaunts artful mistress, katherine swynfordenglands. Read a sample read a sample read a sample read a sample enlarge book cover. He is a guggenheim fellow and a recipient of research fellowships from the american council of learned societies and the national endowment for the humanities. A burnable book in chaucers london, betrayal, murder, royal intrigue, mystery, and dangerous politics swirl around the existence of a prophetic book that foretells the deaths of englands kings. Holsinger s research, alongside the energetic vulgarity of a language in flux, delivers up a world where even the filth is colorful. Holsingers research, alongside the energetic vulgarity of a language in flux, delivers up a world where even the filth is colorful.
Surrounded by ruthless courtiersincluding his powerful uncle, john of gaunt, and gaunts artful mistress, katherine swynfordenglands young, still untested king, richard ii, is in mortal peril, and the danger is only beginning. In this endeavor, bruce holsinger is a gamekeeper turned poacher. John gower a poet himself, but more importantly, a man with connections must find the book to save his friend, the poet geoffrey chaucer. Soon she has left the moorfields and traced a route below the causeway, circling north of a city suddenly foreign to her, though she has spent nearly all her life between its many gates. Bruce holsingers a burnable book is an irresistible historical thriller reminiscent of the classics an instance of the. A burnable book is the same sort of delightful i was dismayed that i wouldnt be able to keep up with whos who and wheres what. February 18, 2014 the hunt for a book of seditious poems is at the heart of medievalist bruce holsingers detailpacked new. What he doesnt know or understand are his personal connections to the book that could also get him killed. The gifted school is the juiciest book ive read in ages. Bruce holsinger is a novelist and literary scholar based in charlottesville, virginia, and the recipient of a guggenheim fellowship. Winner of the john hurt fisher prize shortlisted for the american library associationss years best in crime fiction in chaucers london. An exlibrary book and may have standard library stamps andor.
The popularity of this subgenre an instance of the fingerpost. Here in the pages of bruce holsingers medieval adventure, that randy old poet finally gets the mission impossible cameo he deserves. In 85 london, the race is on to recover a missing book. Mar 24, 2014 bruce holsinger, professor of english at the university of virginia and author of a burnable book. This was set in fourteenthcentury england during the reign of king richard ii, and has holsingers protagonist john gowerat the instigation of geoffrey chaucer hunt down a supposedly revolutionary book, in which a series of poems predict the deaths of the kings of england. A deep understanding of the period combines with sophisticated writing to create a richly imagined world. A stolen manuscript prophesies the assassination of richard ii in bruce holsingers novel. Songs are heard across london catchy verses said to originate from an ancient book that prophesies the ends of englands kings and among the books predictions is richards assassination. The whole thing is a conspiracy against the kingdom that started after the publishing of the burnable book, a work that is threatening for the whole state. Summary a burnable book author bruce holsinger summary england of 85 and the young king richard is busy trying to unite his island country with enemies surrounding him as well as from within his own court. A burnable book is fragrant with the stench of medieval london the hunt for a book of seditious poems is at the heart of medievalist bruce holsingers detailpacked new novel. His first two novels, a burnable book and the invention of fire, are set in and around medieval london, where the poets geoffrey chaucer and john gower spent much of. Feb 18, 2014 a burnable book, as referred to in the title of bruce holsingers new novel of england and florence in the late 14th century, is simply a book that might cost the possessor his life. Surrounded by ruthless courtiersincluding his powerful uncle, john of gaunt, and gaunts artful mistress, katherine swynfordenglands young, still untested king, richard ii, is in mortal peril.
A burnable book king county library system overdrive. A burnable book is fragrant with the stench of medieval london. A burnable book, as referred to in the title of bruce holsingers new novel of england and florence in the late 14th century, is simply a book that might cost the possessor his life. The back biting and intrigue in his court leaves the young king with few to trust. The hunt for a book of seditious poems is at the heart of medievalist bruce holsingers detailpacked new novel. Bruce holsingers a burnable book is an irresistible historical thriller reminiscent of the classics an instance of the fingerpost, the name of the rose, and the crimson petal and the white. In chaucers london, betrayal, murder, royal intrigue, mystery, and dangerous politics swirl around the existence of a prophetic book that foretells the deaths of englands kings. Bruce holsinger, professor of english at the university of virginia and author of a burnable book. Medieval scholar expands historical fact into fiction. A burnable book, by bruce holsinger the new york times. Reigning over england is richard ii, later to adorn one of shakespeares plays. Website of bruce holsinger, author of the gifted school. Information provided by narration frequently clashes with character. A place of poetry and prophecy, where power is bought by blood.
Bruce holsinger s a burnable book is an irresistible historical thriller reminiscent of the classics an instance of the fingerpost, the name of the rose, and the crimson petal and the white. Songs are heard across londoncatchy verses said to originate from an ancient book that prophesies the end of englands kingsand among the books. A stunning debut historical thriller set in the turbulent 14th century for fans of cj sansom, the name of the rose and an instance of the fingerpost. Jan 31, 2014 a burnable book by bruce holsinger january 31, 2014 january 31, 2014 there seem to have been a lot of historical thrillers in recent years that focus on the search for a valuable item a book, a crown or a manuscript. At the heart of the novel is a book detailing the deaths of all the english kings from william the conqueror up to and including the current reigning king, richard ii. We have the crust that is the first gripping chapter that draws the eye of the reader and tempts the curious to sample more, then as the shell is broken the reader will be surprised to uncover an assortment of complex characters that all have a hand in touching a potentially dangerous book called book. See the newest novels, discuss with other book lovers, buy romance books online. He is the author of the gifted school riverhead books, 2019, in development as a tv series with nbcuniversal television. At the time merely considering the death of the ruling king was treasonous and. A city of shadows and fear, in a kingdom ruled by the headstrong young king richard ii, haunted by the spectre of revolt. Bruce holsinger is the author of the first john gower novel, a burnable book, and an awardwinning scholar of the medieval period who teaches at the university of virginia. Holsinger is a graceful guide to the 14th century, lacing his thriller with just the right seasoning of antique words and all the necessary historical detail without any of the fusty smell of a documentary. Bruce holsingers a burnable book is an irresistible historical thriller reminiscent of the classics an instance of the fingerpost, the name of the.
A burnable book by bruce holsinger she reads novels. A burnable book exemplifies the best in historical fiction. A burnable book a burnable book audiobook, by bruce holsinger. The author or the owner of such a book could be accused of anything from heresy to treachery and end his life burned at the stake. A burnable book by holsinger, bruce a copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. Listen to a burnable book audiobook streaming online free. A burnable book by bruce holsinger 2014, cd, unabridged for. Bruce holsingers captivating historical novel a burnable book is testimony to this more accurate view of a fascinating period.
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