King's Fool: A Notorious King, His Six Wives, and the One Man Who Knew Their Secrets by Margaret Campbell Barnes
He's No Fool
Will Somers starts out with a dull life in the country on the family farm. Even his family admits that he doesn't make a good farmer. That doesn't leave him with any real options, until an option lands in his lap.
Will is one of the few lucky country children that had an education. He is given to a merchant, Richard Fermer , to work for. He has a good head for numbers and he must do the books and take inventory. He is good at what he does, but it bores him. The one shining light in his new life is Joanna, Master Fermer's daughter. He knows that it would not be possible to marry her, yet he dreams of a life with her.
One day Master Fermer told Will that he would be going to Court with him to conduct business. He meets King Henry and while the king and other royalty bowl, Will cracks a joke. With that, Henry scoops up Will to be his royal fool.
Will witnesses everything at court. The six wives, Henry's mood swings, everything. He become King Henry's companion and confidante and stand by him through it all. However, he still pines for Joanna through the years.
I could go on and on about this wonderful book but I wouldn't want to give you any spoilers. This book was first published in 1959. It is now being re-published by Source Books and is coming out this month. Though it was out in 1959, I didn't find it dated by today's standards.
My only small complaint is that I would have liked it a bit longer. Some of King Henry's six wives are barely touched upon.
Margaret Campbell Barnes envelopes the reader into the pages of her book. It is a compelling read and captures the period and Will Somers well. This book is hard to put down! Highly recommended!
4.5/5
Thanks to Danielle L. Jackson for a ARC of this wonderful book.
Also reviewed by:
Passages to the Past
The Tome Traveller's Weblog
Devourer of Books
A Hoyden's Look at Literature
Posts
I enjoyed this one a lot. I think it was an interesting take on the whole Tudor fiction, from the point of view of a fool (long before Philippa gregory came up with hers, by the way). Thanks for the review.
lilly said... April 2, 2009 7:19 PM
I so agree Lilly. I actually found it refreshing.
Teddy Rose said... April 2, 2009 8:06 PM
I'm thinking I need to get this one for a summer fun read.
Lezlie
Lezlie said... April 3, 2009 5:38 AM
All these great reviews of this one lately really makes me want to read it being that I love The Tudors.
Dar said... April 3, 2009 8:35 AM
This sounds like something I would really enjoy. I read one of the author's books last year and liked it a lot too.
Alyce said... April 3, 2009 12:36 PM
I read this one several years ago and really liked it.I'm glad to see you enjoyed it, too.
Taminator said... April 3, 2009 5:34 PM
Lezlie, it would be nice for a short summer read.
Dar,I think this is my favorite Tudor's read so far. Much more substance then Phillpa Gregory. IMO.
Alyce, I really want to read more of her works now!
Tammy, it was a goodie!
Teddy Rose said... April 3, 2009 9:44 PM
Sounds like a great book. I'll have to add it to Mt. TBR.
Kristy said... April 4, 2009 8:28 AM
A Brief Gaudy Hour was the first adult historical fiction I had ever read. My grandmother picked up one of the first editions on accident at a booksale when I was a kid. I just adored it (and still have it somewhere)! Never occuried to me to look and see if she had other books and then they started being republished! Looking forward to reading these soon :)
Ladytink_534 said... April 4, 2009 8:44 PM
Kristy, isn't mt. TBR getting out of hand? Mine sure is! LOL!
Teddy Rose said... April 4, 2009 10:48 PM
Sounds like you really enjoyed this book, Teddy ... continued happy reading!
Wanda said... April 6, 2009 6:56 AM
Thanks Wanda!
Teddy Rose said... April 6, 2009 1:06 PM
Post a Comment