tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post6638595084957899806..comments2024-03-14T05:56:44.390+00:00Comments on Edward II: The Confession Of Piers Gaveston by Brandy Purdy: ReviewKathryn Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397714441908100576noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-46835487034012667472015-07-26T13:52:55.400+01:002015-07-26T13:52:55.400+01:00What is wrong people when they can not write fanta...<i>What is wrong people when they can not write fantasy as fantasy but have to write "historical" novels instead? If one is writing completely fantastic stuff, why not do so openly and honestly?</i><br /><br />This, a thousand times. Fantasy is an established and reputable genre with a huge book buying public. Leave historical fiction to people who actually give a damn about the period they're trying to portray.chris yhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07556240635442613879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-24978891956489515112015-07-23T20:39:57.675+01:002015-07-23T20:39:57.675+01:00I can't judge because I have read nothing by t...I can't judge because I have read nothing by this author but your feature has not encouraged me to sample her works. There may have been witches and warlocks (or people who considered themselves to be such) in Medieval England - in my hometown in the sixties and early seventies some half-timbered buildings were knocked down (it was the fashion to do so then and of course now they are gone for ever) but in one a written spell was found behind a wall - that may have dated from a little later than true medieval times however.<br /><br />I think Sami has the right of it when he/she (sorry Sami I don't know which) says that people who want to write fantasy should do so - only with fictional characters instead of maligning people who actually lived.<br /><br />The late Agnes Stickland, bless her little cotton socks does seem to have made errors in writings about historical personnages. I quite liked Norah Lofts' "The Concubine" - a book about Anne Boleyn when I read it some time ago but I discovered later that their were some inaccuracies (like giving Anne a step-mother) that resulted from Ms Lofts having used a work of Agnes Strickland as some of her source material.<br /><br />Patricia OAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-21910691384094498182015-07-21T11:26:59.263+01:002015-07-21T11:26:59.263+01:00I have never read anything by this author, but I&#...I have never read anything by this author, but I'm almost tempted to try one of her books, just out of curiosity. This book sounds utterly awful. I might have to learn to speed-read first, so if it is as bad as it sounds I won't waste too much time on it. The name "Brandy Purdy" sounds almost like a Mills and Boon author, or one of those writers whose paperbacks are tucked away on the top shelf of a Motorway Services shop.<br /><br />Why does anyone need to exaggerate like this when actual history can be just as sensational without straying too far from known facts. The fourteenth century has an awful lot of gaps into which a skilled novelist can weave an excellent plot. Possibly the hardest thing of all is actually getting inside the mind of real historical personalities, based on what they did, said or wrote, and try to work out what was dominating their thoughts or actions at the time. What external influences caused them to act in a certain way, and were some of the things they did actually a bit out of character?<br /><br />For example, there are times when I think I can understand Edward, and other times when I haven't a clue what was going through his mind, most notably his actions in 1322 after his retreat from Scotland and how Isabella came to be marooned at Tynemouth. Given that Edward is well documented, how much more difficult is it to do that for other key persons in his reign, like Piers Gaveston, Thomas of Lancaster, Pembroke, both the Despensers, Roger d'Amory, Roger Mortimer or Andrew Harclay (my personal favourite)? There is some terrific scope in there for anyone with imagination, and that can even include a bit of red-hot sex from time to time.<br /><br />Did Ms. Purdy have Piers in an emotional relationship with Jaques de Molay and the entire senior echelon of the Knights Templar's? If not, she missed a trick there. Can't be much good as an author then!Jerry Bennettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-89852057635566981922015-07-20T19:05:26.366+01:002015-07-20T19:05:26.366+01:00Katherine ... IMO, reading Brandy Purdy to warn th...Katherine ... IMO, reading Brandy Purdy to warn the rest of the world is heroism going beyond the call of duty. That writer is a serial defamer of the dead (she does a hatchet job on both Jane Parker Boleyn in "The Boleyn Wife" and Elizabeth Howard in "The Boleyn Bride")and I would like to know what she has been smoking!<br /><br />EstherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-79778491208709753082015-07-20T07:05:41.076+01:002015-07-20T07:05:41.076+01:00Oh why, Lord, oh why oh why...
What is wrong peop...Oh why, Lord, oh why oh why...<br /><br />What is wrong people when they can not write fantasy as fantasy but have to write "historical" novels instead? If one is writing completely fantastic stuff, why not do so openly and honestly?<br /><br />And what is this with the "fantastic elements" in these babblings? Goddess worshipping in medieval England? Give me a break!<br /><br />It seems to me that some writers have forgotten one thing: the historical fact is far more interesting than these pubertic fantasies about "dark hidden secrets". <br /><br />And then again: what is wrong with these people when they depict Edward II? Can't they read documents? Have they never taken time to find out what kind of a man he was?<br /><br />Yes, he may have been gay, he may have been bi, most likely he did not even think about it, but he was certainly not a weakling. Just check what he did at the field of Bannockburn. I reommend any writer to repeat that. Yes, put on full ice hockey gear, the helmet too, and then go out with your mates and beat each other with hockey sticks for couple of hours, take a breather, and repeat it. All this on horseback too. Now you get a very small idea of what he did. <br /><br />Except at Bannockburn people really died and were killed and maimed all the time. And Edward had to be taken away from all that. Doesn't sound much of a sissy, does it?Sami Parkkonennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-53299859862777419262015-07-19T22:58:56.987+01:002015-07-19T22:58:56.987+01:00Sounds like a poorly written book, no matter who s...Sounds like a poorly written book, no matter who starred. I'm sure you would be willing to concede a few historical inaccuracies even it was well written, not? ;-)<br /><br />Anyway, I once told my partners at a plotting session for a comic book - waaay back - that it was all right to have sex in the story, if it wasn't the entire 'plot'. I still hold it at that. Some books, though, straddle the line between plot with sex and just sex to tantalize. But if they veer toward the latter category, 181 pages or what it was, seem excessive. Especially if there are so many other things NOT to like about this book, including the characters.<br /><br />Thanks for steering the rest of us clear of this apparent mess, Kathryn. I hope a good Piers-book will soon drop into your lap, though - you deserve it :-)<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />UlrikUlrikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13201955178511979110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-13477686442543172912015-07-19T20:49:04.231+01:002015-07-19T20:49:04.231+01:00OMG - I could hardly bring myself to read your rev...OMG - I could hardly bring myself to read your review as the mere mention of the WORST Piers novel ever, and, in all honesty, one of the worst novels ever written, makes my blood boil! The only good thing about it was that after reading it I discovered your blog! Your rant is self-contained - how did you manage it?:> It's so awful! Piers as some sort of male prostitute, who'll sleep with anything with a pulse, whatever they offer him - it's awful! Where's the chivalric knight who fought in battle and was considered so graceful and well-mannered Edward I chose him as a role model for his son. And as for poor Edward - shudder! Dreadful portrayal - especially when he appears to rape Piers after they have an argument at a tavern. Where Piers, of course, has to wear gloves so no-one recognises his burned hands when he tried to save his mother from the flames - and yes, I am now doubled up with laughter - however did he learn to fight with such scarred hands? ridiculous novel and deserves the review you gave it!Anerjehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16305237339979790391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-11829747511437514112015-07-19T17:43:45.004+01:002015-07-19T17:43:45.004+01:00Thank you! :-)Thank you! :-)Kathryn Warnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00397714441908100576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-8131839208900817122015-07-19T17:37:55.290+01:002015-07-19T17:37:55.290+01:00Even when you rant you do it elegantly and with gr...Even when you rant you do it elegantly and with great wit. I love it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com