Madeleine
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Posts posted by Madeleine
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The King's Witch" by Tracy Borman - it's the early 17th century, and Frances Gorges finds her happy rural existence shattered when her uncle arranges for her to be sent to London, to be of the ladies attending Queen Anne, wife of James, who succeeded Elizabeth I on her death. Frances was also one of Elizabeth's attendants, but James's reign is very different - for a start, he is on a crusade against Catholics, and also suspected witches, an obsession he brought with him from Scotland, where he was responsible for the torture and execution of many, probably innocent, women. Frances herself is a healer, but this of course immediately puts her under suspicion of witchcraft, and it's not long before she finds herself in the Tower of London, accused of witchcraft, following the death of the child of another lady at the Court, although by the time Frances got to attend the child, she could see that he was beyond help. However after a few weeks of (literally) torment, Frances is cleared and released and allowed back into the Royal fold, but she knows she is constantly being watched, both by her uncle and the odious Robert Cecil. She longs to return to the countryside but this is out of the question, and her only comfort, apart from a good relationship with her young charge, the King's daughter, Elizabeth, is her burgeoning friendship with lawyer Thomas Wintour. But there are many plots against the King, he's not popular both inside and outside the Court, and eventually Frances finds herself caught up in the most famous plot of all, as events move towards November and the re-convening of Parliamen, and she also discovers devastating news about her own family, as she tries to avoid persecution yet again. I really enjoyed this book, the witchcraft section was the usual horrible history of persecution, but once the Gunpowder Plot started to develop I was gripped. I haven't actually read that many books that feature this as a major part of the story, so it made a refreshing change, and also to see it from another angle. It really was an audacious plot. Frances Gorges did exist, and her family home still stands. This is the first part of a trilogy and I look forward to seeing what Frances does next. The author is a genuine historian who works for London's Royal Palaces organisation, this is her first novel and it's well-written and does bring history alive with it's vivid descriptions of life at Court, and all the intrigue and backbiting that goes on. 8/10
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I didn't want the series to end either! Shame as I felt it could have kept going, but that's the author's decision.
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We had quite a few fireworks over the weekend but thankfully they seem to have stopped for now, it's so annoying and pointless during daylight!
Rainy and overcast here too, Wednesday was quite nice during the day but then it started raining in the evening and hasn't really stopped for long since. Also quite cold.
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The sun always shines on Tv - Aha
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The Third Man - Graham Greene
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It was dry for most of yesterday but rained most of the night, has been dry for most of the day so not sure what will happen tonight, it is meant to rain again though.
Hope you get your roof sorted out.
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Yes the songs annoyed me as well in The Hobbit, haven't re-read it yet though. I have The Silmarillion but from what I've heard about it I'm not sure if I'll attempt it!
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There are very few independent bookshops near where I live too, none in my immediate shopping areas, and only one fairly near by which isn't open on Sunday, which is fair enough, but the area is gridlocked on Saturday so I avoid going there then! There were a couple of others but they've closed down now. The only dedicated bookshop we really have is Waterstone's, and both branches have cut their floor space from two floors to one, so of course there's less of a selection in store now.
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I've got lined up:
The Christmas Party - Karen Swan
The Christmas Railway Mystery - Edward Marson
12 Strange Days of Christmas - Syd Moore
The Christmas Egg Mystery - British Library, can't remember the author!
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The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
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Also benefits the bookshop too, I would be happier paying full price in an independent bookshop.
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Our dog was petrified too, when she got older she got quite deaf so it wasn't so much of an issue, but she'd be sitting there shaking and trying to get away from the racket.
I also have no problem with the specific night for various festivals, but as Brian says they seem to be pretty constant for several days (weeks even) either side of the actual dates.
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It's pouring with rain - been raining nearly all day - Bonfire Night was 4 days ago - and there are still fireworks going off! What is it with people?
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Mister Brightside - the Killers
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Daughter of Time - Josephine Tey
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Time and Chance - Sharon Kay Penman
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I read the first few, and they were good escapism, but after a while I found them a bit repetitive so haven't read any more.
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Just started number 38.
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I'm not sure about some of the topics either, I don't think I would have put The Tenant of Wildfell Hall under Family & Friendships, and some of the fantasy novels seem to be in a strange category too. But yes it is personal and I'm sure will generate a lot of discussion.
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Wait till you read Jude the Obscure.....the reviews were so bad that he never wrote another novel.
Under the Greenwood Tree is surprisingly jolly for Hardy, but not much story. The Mayor Casterbridge is probably his other most famous novel, or Return of the Native.
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Mainly commuting on the train (can't read on a bus, especially given the standard of driving!), and in bed.
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I enjoyed Hound... as well, a good ripping yarn!
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Over You - Roxy Music
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Hi Munipenny and welcome.
What's the weather like?
in General Chat
Posted
Keeps trying to rain.
I seem to have started a weird cold, which has gone straight from a sore throat yesterday, to a few sneezes today, and now a tickly cough which is so annoying!