New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell makes a dramatic departure with this enthralling, action-packed standalone novel that tells the story of the first production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream—as related by William Shakespeare’s estranged younger brother.Lord, what fools these mortals be . . .In the heart of Elizabethan England, Richard Shakespeare dreams of a glittering career in … Shakespeare dreams of a glittering career in one of the London playhouses, a world dominated by his older brother, William. But he is a penniless actor, making ends meet through a combination of a beautiful face, petty theft and a silver tongue. As William’s star rises, Richard’s onetime gratitude is souring and he is sorely tempted to abandon family loyalty.
So when a priceless manuscript goes missing, suspicion falls upon Richard, forcing him onto a perilous path through a bawdy and frequently brutal London. Entangled in a high-stakes game of duplicity and betrayal which threatens not only his career and potential fortune, but also the lives of his fellow players, Richard has to call on all he has now learned from the brightest stages and the darkest alleyways of the city. To avoid the gallows, he must play the part of a lifetime . . . .
Showcasing the superb storytelling skill that has won Bernard Cornwell international renown, Fools and Mortals is a richly portrayed tour de force that brings to life a vivid world of intricate stagecraft, fierce competition, and consuming ambition.
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A delightful departure from Cornwell’s usual wonderful blood-and-battle epics, depicting in all its glitter and squalor the world of Elizabethan theatre. The hero is Shakespeare’s younger sibling Richard, an actor resentful of his dour playwright brother and yearning to graduate from women’s roles to men’s roles. “Midsummer Night’s Dream” is to be performed for a noble wedding, after that “Romeo and Juliet” is being written…what part will he get? Just delightful.
I wish I’d had this book to read in high school when I was trying to figure out what A Midsummer’s Night Dream was really all about. Great fun and an education on the Elizabethan theater.
Really solid storyline with characters that you will love getting to know. Extremely descriptive writing style that depicts the world perfectly.
Anything by Bernard Cornwell is great.
This wasn’t exactly what I expected, but it was a wonderfully engaging book. Cornwell captures the frenetic energy, hopes, and superstitions of the backstage players in Shakespeare’s performances, then throws in a little mystery and a little romance to create a satisfying story.
I loved this book even though it is quite a departure from the brilliantly crafted battle scenes and shield walls of Bernard Cornwell’s usual novels! Who thinks to write about Shakespeare’s brother?? His wife and children, surely; possible mistresses, maybe. Cornwell, however, plucks the unheralded sibling from obscurity and weaves him into a story that is both engaging and plausible. Many things about the book were appealing to me , from the vivid, behind the scenes portrayal of typical Elizabethan theatre to the different and often humorous perspective of Will from a younger brother’s point of view. The novel has its share of danger, violence, and intrigue as Richard Shakespeare strives to make a career as an actor. All in all, though, it’s really good fun! I’m hoping for a sequel; I want to see Richard play Hamlet!
A must-read for theater geeks, Shakespeare fans, and historical fiction lovers.
Although perhaps not as compelling as the Sharpe series, or my other favourite, The Fort, the insight into life in London during Shakespeare’s time was a revelation. The immersion into that often brutal world, in geographical as well as human terms, was, for me at least, as important as the plot and characters.
I love anything written by Bernard Cornwall. This was thoroughly entertaining.
Not his best work.
Loved drilling down into the day-to-day of Shakespeare’s actors!
“It was ‘nonsense, happy nonsense . . . lovers soaked in moonbeams, froth, and we had reached the happy ending.” So quips Will Shakespeare’s younger brother, Richard, as the first production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream draws toward its end. This story of the Lord Chamberlain’s men in the fall and winter of 1595-96 has much the same feel as the play they perform at Lord Chamberlain Hunsdon’s hall following the wedding of his granddaughter. William himself, James Burbage, Will Kemp all appear in the narrative, sometimes dominating scenes, but the story is told by Richard Shakespeare as he strives to prove himself as an actor and a young man in love. There are, of course, evil antagonists aplenty, swordplay, moments of high tension, and some intrigues and a betrayal – after all, this is a Cornwell novel – but the plot’s problems that must be solved by Richard are mostly difficulties in the nature of romantic love or sibling rivalry.
Not up to previous work
This was a thoroughly entertaining and original look at “what could have been” in Shakespeare’s life. It is interesting that the protagonist is William Shakespeare’s brother rather than Shakespeare himself. Although I don’t usually like fiction which incorporates actual historical figures, I found this book to be quite interesting.
I really enjoyed the depiction of how Shakespeare’s acting troupe worked together.
This really is a page turner. Incredible characters bringing the past alive. Cornwell at his best.
Great read
I really enjoyed the characters in this book and it takes place in my favorite time in English history.. the reign of Elizabeth I.
1st time this author swung and missed
One of my favorite authors outside his ear genre. Great book