Long before bookseller Kate sets her eyes upon Thomas More, the chancellor of England, she already fears and hates him.
Why?
Discovery of the forbidden English Bibles she sells could send her to the stake.
In The Heretic’s Wife, author Brenda Rickman Vantrease skillfully weaves Kate’s life-or-death choices into this novel set in Tudor England.
English Catholics contend with Bible-reading Protestants for the nation’s religious future, and Henry VIII loses patience with the Pope’s refusal to sanction his marriage to Anne Boleyn. In this fraught era, Kate marries John Frith, a Protestant reformer.
As Kate joins her husband in enabling the English people to read the Bible in their native language, they face threats from enemies in the king’s court, as well as Thomas More’s dungeons and torture.
Characters, of course, are at the heart of the story.
Main Characters:
Kate Gough (Kate Gough Frith) – The novel’s protagonist, she’s a fictional London bookseller, from a long line of religious dissenters, who works in her brother John’s bookshop.
John Gough – Kate’s brother, a bookseller who is deeply involved in the underground Lutheran movement
John Frith – A major historical figure and Protestant reformer, he’s Kate’s primary romantic interest.
William Tyndale – Famous historical figure as Bible translator; he’s Frith’s mentor and collaborator in Antwerp.
Sir Thomas More – Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor, uses any available means to keep Protestant ideas (especially English Bibles) out of England.
Henry VIII – The King of England; he set in motion religious turmoil in England in his attempts to annul his first marriage and marry Anne Boleyn.
Supporting cast sympathetic to Reformed religion:
Anne Boleyn – Henry’s second wife
Thomas Cranmer – Future Archbishop of Canterbury
Thomas Cromwell – Henry’s powerful minister, aligned with political reform and, when convenient, with religious reform.
Lady Walsh – A noblewoman who shelters reformers
Endor – A mute, humble servant who offers kindness and comfort to those around her; her life reveals the suffering and lack of justice for common people
Sympathetic to More and Catholicism:
Lady Margaret Roper – Thomas More’s devout daughter
Strengths:
Strong, solid portrayals of the Reformation’s impact on common people (such as Kate’s family and others who endure hardships due to their Reformed beliefs and activities); these balance the well-known, high society characters of Thomas More, Henry VIII, Queen Catherine of Aragon, and Anne Boleyn.
Vivid, accurate historical details of the numerous people and settings in the novel.
In-depth characterization of Thomas More—beyond his one-dimensional portrayal in A Man for All Seasons
Two supporting characters, Endor and Lady Margaret Roper, appealed to me as sympathetic and multi-dimensional.
Weakness:
The complex plot—juggling multiple viewpoints, locations, and timelines—can occasionally disorient readers, though it mirrors the era’s chaos.
Content review:
This novel includes descriptions of torture and violence, as well as physical intimacy.
My Recommendation:
The Heretic’s Wife is perfect for fans of Hilary Mantel seeking suspenseful Reformation stories beyond palace intrigue. If you enjoy immersion in a bygone era with characters, both common folk and the high-born, who sacrifice for their ideals, and if you’d like to witness how the conflicting beliefs of Kate Gough and Thomas More collide in England in the 1500s, I recommend this gripping story.
Reader, can you recommend a novel that shows how the Reformation affected common people?
Imagine you’re from a wealthy English family, coming of age in the second half of the 1800s, an independent female thinker, a supporter of women’s rights, and a sculptor.
How could you live out your identity if you were Princess Louise, daughter of the domineering, grief-obsessed Queen Victoria?
Heather B. Moore answers this question in her recent historical novel, In the Shadow of a Queen, based on her research into the life of Princess Louise, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
The novel begins when Louise is twelve, includes her father’s death and many scenes of her interactions with family members and friends, revealing the unique personality of each individual. The author doesn’t shy away from conflicts, and she closes the story with Louise’s decision of what would be her life’s project.
Characters:
Princess Louise—fourth daughter and sixth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, a talented sculptor and independent thinker who chafed at her mother’s off-the-cuff dictums
Queen Victoria—a forceful personality who bonded so strongly with her husband, Prince Albert, that she depended to an unhealthy degree on her daughters, changed her mind frequently, and never recovered from Albert’s death
John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne—Scottish suitor of Louise, a commoner considered after no attractive royal options materialized
Sybil Grey—Louise’s loyal friend, daughter of General Grey, the queen’s loyal aide
Albert Edward (Bertie), Prince of Wales—Victoria’s oldest son, heir to the throne; a sympathetic older brother to Louise as she grows up, despite his moral lapses
Louise’s other brothers: Alfred, Arthur, Leopold (Leo)
Louise’s sisters: Victoria (Vicky), Alice, Helena, Beatrice
Strengths:
In the Shadow of a Queencaptures the personalities of each member of the Victorian English Royal Family, as well as others. In particular, the author shows the pressures Queen Victoria exerted on Princess Louise (and her other children), and how Louise dealt with them.
Weakness:
The story reads more like a biography than a novel, because indeed, it’s a lightly-fictionalized biography.
Content review:
This novel reveals the character weaknesses of the royal family, including smoking, class discrimination, and adultery (all common in the era).
My recommendation:
I found this novel entertaining and educational. If you enjoy books that neither romanticize nor scandalize the lives of royals, In the Shadow of a Queen will give you an opportunity to get to know Princess Louise and reflect on her life, dreams, and achievements.
Reader, can you suggest favorite novels about royal families?
Especially in this season, I’m thankful for you, reader, and I hope you’ll have a few moments to reflect on who and what you’re thankful for.
This month, I’m pleased to offer both a book review and an interview with the author! I hope you enjoy them!
My Review:
In this moment, The Air Raid Book Club might be just the right read for you, as it was for me. Although the story is set in England during the dark days of the Blitz in World War II, many of this novel’s characters reveal a refreshing humanity and care for each other that often seems missing in the world today.
Many twists and turns, with both sparkling and grievous moments, immerse readers in the story of Gertie, an ordinary woman who owns a bookstore in Beechwood, a non-descript section of southeast London. She ponders, what can she can do to counter fear and despair? These are her eventual responses: • She starts a book club, bringing people together to discuss books, forge ideas, and inspire history • She takes in Hedy, a Jewish teen refugee from Germany
In spite of Gertie’s good intentions, Hedy doesn’t bond well with her host. One of this novel’s strong points is the clear portrayal of how their relationship, and those of other characters, evolve through the story.
Major Characters:
Gertie—protagonist, a humble heroine who brings people together Harry—Gertie’s sweet husband Charles—friend of Gertie’s husband, a supportive friend to Gertie after her husband’s death Hedy—German teen whom Gertie takes in from the Kindertransport, saving her from the Nazis Margery Fortescue—wealthy widow with a strong personality
Strengths: Clear, heart-warming portrayal of how characters’ relationships evolve through the story Satisfying ending Variety of characters, each with a distinct personality and viewpoint Author’s skill in weaving literature and bookshops into the story
Weakness: Although this novel includes plenty of action to propel the story forward, it also includes passages containing characters’ reflections, so it probably won’t be a good fit for readers who prefer action adventure thriller stories
Content review: Includes violence and death connected with World War II and the Blitz
My recommendation: If you enjoy a historically accurate story that’s warm-hearted and life-affirming, while not shying from the tragic details of the Blitz in WWII, I would recommend The Air Raid Book Club.
Author Interview with Annie Lyons:
What triggered your decision to create this story?
There were many sources of inspiration for this book, one of them being Eudora Honeysett, the main character from my previous novel. I had so enjoyed writing the flashback scenes in that book, transporting the reader back to the Second World War and other moments in history, that I decided I wanted to write my first full historical fiction novel. It was 2021, in the middle of the pandemic and I had noticed how communities were supporting one another during these difficult times. It made me think about similarities with how communities rallied during the Second World War and the seed of an idea was planted. Added to this, I’ve always wanted to write a novel set in a bookshop about the power of books and reading and how important they can be in dark times. Gertie began to emerge as I found myself struggling to read or engage with stories for a while and I imagined a character who was ready to give up on her bookshop and move away. Hedy’s character came about after I read and listened to accounts of Jewish children who fled Nazi Germany before the start of the Second World War. It was their spirit of optimism and hope which inspired me to write this story as Hedy and Gertie’s bond grows through a love of books and reading.
It’s obvious that you do careful research in the development of your scenes and characters. What sources helped you fill in the details and context for this novel?
Research was tricky as I was writing this book during lockdown so the internet became my best friend! The Imperial War Museum online was a huge source of information. It’s a fantastic resource. Online, I listened to accounts of Kindertransport children, now adults, who came to live in the UK. Their stories and spirit were a big source of inspiration. I also love the BBC’s archived resource, The People’s War. It’s a treasure trove of personal stories which are often heartbreaking, often funny but all completely wonderful. I read a great deal too. Millions Like Us by Virginia Nicholson was a book which started as a springboard for the whole idea as it deals with the role of women during the war. I also had to understand bookselling from the start of the twentieth century and found a wonderful book called ‘The Truth About Bookselling’ by Thomas Joy.
What was the biggest surprise in researching this story?
How the role of women changed forever as a result of the Second World War. They literally went from sitting in the passenger seat to driving the truck!
What’s the ratio of fact to fiction in this story?
The bones of the story are all factual. I followed the course of the Second World War and its events as closely as I could. The fictionalized parts are the town of Beechwood itself and Bingham Books. As I was writing this novel during lockdown and couldn’t visit bookshops, it was a treat to be able to create one from my imagination!
What were the most challenging aspects of writing this novel?
Deciding which historical details to include and which to leave out! I love history and am particularly fascinated by the Second World War so I’d often get lost down research rabbit holes and probably have enough material for at least another five books!
What did you enjoy about writing this novel?
I loved so much of it. Losing myself in the past was particularly wonderful. I’d also always wanted to write a book set in a bookshop so this was a dream come true and choosing the books for Gertie and Hedy’s book club (and the quotations which start each chapter) really appealed to my booklover’s heart.
Beyond entertainment, what would you want a reader to walk away with after reading The Air Raid Book Club?
To remember this part of history and the profound effect it had on the world and to be proud of the role that women played during that time.
You may be familiar with Martin Luther’s reform efforts and eventual break from the Roman Church in the 1500s…
But these earlier reformershad less success and paid a terrible price:
John Wycliffe, a cleric who translated the Bible into English in the late 1300s (His followers became known as Lollards)
Jan Hus, a preacher in Prague in the early 1400s who championed Wycliffe’s ideas in Bohemia.
Why?
The Mercy Seller, Brenda Rickman Vantrease’s 2007 novel, immerses readers in the cultures in which Wycliffe and Hus lived (England and Bohemia, respectively). After reading it, I understood in a visceral way why the beliefs and reforms that Wycliffe and Hus proposed were doomed to fail in their times and locations.
Because Anna was raised with the teachings of Jan Hus in Prague, she must flee and undertake a dangerous journey, both physical and metaphorical, to find safety and a new life.
Without a guide, this young woman struggles to know whom to trust. The people she encounters challenge her view of the world, as her perspective challenges theirs.
This compelling story of courage, betrayal, persecution, and character growth also gives readers a window into an era far removed from ours.
Characters:
Some were easy to root for, others easy to hate, some evoked both emotions
Gabriel/VanCleve—title character, an English priest assigned to sell pardons/indulgences; his background and many-faceted career become central to the story
Anna—protagonist who grew up in Prague, raised with Lollard beliefs by her grandfather, Finn; she learns his trade but must flee Prague after religious persecution begins
Finn—copyist of writings of Wycliffe and gospels of the New Testament, fled from England to Prague to escape persecution of Lollards
Abbess Kathryn—leader of the abbey at Saint Martin’s that specializes in copying texts, both sacred and secular
Brother Francis—Gabriel’s spiritual father and mentor
Little Bek—abandoned handicapped boy; Anna mothers him
Sir John Oldcastle, Lord Cobham—member of House of Lords; he and his wife use their wealth in generous ways, among which are supporting the Lollard community and the copying of religious texts into English
Prince Hal (Henry V of England)—friend of Cobham’s during their military years; torn between his need for Archbishop of Canterbury’s blessing of his coronation and his friendship with Sir John Oldcastle
Archbishop Arundel—aged, declining leader of Roman Church in England; determined to root out heresies and heretics from England
Strengths:
Characters—three-dimensional, their arcs reveal clear change; the author shows us their flaws as well as (for some) their heroic qualities
Heroic theme—self-sacrifice for one’s beliefs
Plot—fascinating threads connect the characters, including multiple generations; plot twists that keep readers on edge
Settings—portrayals of the several settings provide telling details to immerse readers
Weakness:
Alternating points of view between characters from scene to scene can confuse readers until they get their bearings.
Content review:
Readers should anticipate a few scenes of physical intimacy, but not of a graphic nature, as well as descriptions of executions in this time period.
My recommendation:
If you enjoy an exciting story of strong-willed individuals whose religious convictions lead them to risk and sacrifice their lives, and whose interactions shape their characters, I highly recommend The Mercy Seller.
Reader, can you recommend novels set in the world of John Wycliffe or Jan Hus?
I hope you’ll find good cheer in this season! As my contribution, I’m reviewing a recent novel,The Last Bookshop in London, an inspiring story of the power of books, courage, friendship, and hope as London endures the Blitz during World War II.
London, 1939. Grace, a young woman from a small town in Norfolk, arrives in the big city, desperate for a job. She lands a temporary position at a run-down bookstore, but she’s not a reader and has little interest in books. Then the Blitz, Germany’s effort to bomb England into submission, begins. Britons’ responses often put them in conflict with each other, even as people needed to unite to survive this dire threat to their nation’s existence.
How much of this story is based on facts vs. fiction?
Author Madeline Martin answers this question in a blog post:
“Aside from the characters and Primrose Hill Books itself, everything is as true to history as was possible for me to make it. Even the location of the bombings and when they occurred (with one exception) are exactly how they were recorded in history.”
How did the author come to understand her characters’ world?
She used the following sources:
Books
Personal eyewitness accounts
Photos taken before, during, and after the war
Videos and sound bites
Characters: (a few of the many)
Grace, the protagonist – young and naïve at the start, the story’s events force her to make choices that help her mature
Mr. Evans – owner of Primrose Hill Books, his depression adds to Grace’s doubts about working at the bookstore
Mrs. Weatherford – Grace’s host in London, a support to Grace. In the face of tragedy, she must find new strength and purpose.
George Anderson – Grace’s love interest, he’s a lover of books who joins up to fight the Germans.
Mr. Stokes – an Air Raid Precautions warden partnered with Grace to monitor blackout compliance during the Blitz. His attitude and beliefs challenge Grace.
Jimmy – orphan who hesitates to trust anyone after his parents are killed in the Blitz.
Strengths: The well-crafted plot, telling details, and sympathetic characters combine to create a page-turner that’s both entertaining and educational.
Weakness:Happy endings for the surviving characters leave readers on a positive note, but they seemed a bit unrealistic after the tragedies of World War II and the Blitz.
Content review: Descriptions of death and injuries, but no profanity or physical intimacy.
I recommend The Last Bookshop in London. This novel’s time setting could have made it depressing. Instead, Madeline Martin skillfully weaves a plot that doesn’t avoid the terror and death of this harrowing time, but ends in personal transformation and national unity.
When we need a break from the daily news, Jane Austen and her times provide a welcome respite. Her novels are well known by many, but Jane tried to keep her own life private. Miss Austen, a recent novel by Gill Hornby, provides insights into Jane’s life through that of her younger sister, Cassandra, and their family.
Cassandra (henceforth referred to as Cassy) is the main focus of this novel. Because she and Jane stayed close throughout their lives, their stories intertwine throughout this novel.
Readers familiar with the Austen family will dive effortlessly into this novel, while those of us less conversant must allow time to learn or refresh our memories about the family members and their personalities.
Long before I finished reading Miss Austen, the story attracted and held my interest. Because I didn’t know much about the Austen family, I found the plot twists suspenseful. The author reveals much about Jane’s and Cassy’s lives and emotions through Jane’s letters (imagined by the author). The constraints the female characters faced saddened me, but I enjoyed watching these women develop, interact, and change over time.
Major Characters:
Cassy – Jane’s younger sister; devoted (excessively?) to her family throughout her life; the author fills in details about Cassy’s life and feelings through Jane’s letters
Jane – the only sister and closest friend of Cassy; she was a novelist whose writing never received its proper recognition or reward during her short lifetime; the author skillfully portrays the sisters’ differences and how they complemented each other
Mrs. Cassandra Austen – mother of Jane and Cassy, an opinionated and domineering woman, perhaps an example of an antiquated perspective on life
Isabella – sister of Tom Fowle, Cassy’s fiancé; she was initially cool to Cassy; the development of their relationship was a highlight of the story
Mary Lloyd – the second wife of James Austen, a brother of Jane and Cassy; her dogmatic, non-empathetic personality made her Cassy’s nemesis
Strengths: In addition to an engaging plot, Miss Austen offers an in-depth look into the Austen family, the distinctive personality traits of each member, and their family dynamics.
Weakness: I’d appreciate more clarity about how many of the characters were historical and how accurately they were portrayed. Mrs. Cassandra Austen and Mary seemed almost caricatures, with few redeeming features shining through.
Content review: clean, with no violence; perhaps most interesting to readers of young adult age or older.
My take: I recommend Miss Austen to readers interested in learning more about Jane Austen through the eyes of her sister and interactions with her family members. If you also enjoy a story that slowly develops characters and their relationships, this is the novel for you.
Reader, what’s the most surprising thing you know about the Austen family?
