Feb 18, 2014 a burnable book, as referred to in the title of bruce holsingers new novel of england and florence in the late 14th century, is simply a book that might cost the possessor his life. Read a sample read a sample read a sample read a sample enlarge book cover. Outside the walls of london, agnes, a maudlyn, or prostitute, observes the murder, by a cloaked, italian. Feb 18, 2014 bruce holsinger is the author of the first john gower novel, a burnable book, and an awardwinning scholar of the medieval period who teaches at the university of virginia. The gifted school is the juiciest book ive read in ages. In chaucers london, betrayal, murder, and intrigue swirl around the existence of a prophetic book that foretells the deaths of englands kings. A burnable book is fragrant with the stench of medieval. Bruce holsinger s a burnable book is an irresistible historical thriller reminiscent of the classics an instance of the fingerpost, the name of the. A burnable book pinellas public library cooperative. A burnable book by bruce holsinger 2014, hardcover for. Bruce holsinger has been trying to add history in his work now and the blend of history and fiction provide an appealing and irresistible taste to the audience. A burnable book by bruce holsinger 2014, hardcover for sale.
A burnable book a burnable book audiobook, by bruce holsinger. Discover book depositorys huge selection of bruce holsinger books online. Listen to a burnable book audiobook streaming online free. This time the era is 85, the city is once again london the one we visited in the invention of fire as well. Not only must the story grip the reader, but the setting must come alive. Holsinger is an american author, academic and literary scholar, professor of english at the university of virginia and the author of a burnable book. Bruce holsinger is a fiction writer and scholar of medieval literature who teaches at the university of virginia in charlottesville. Gower and his friend geoffrey chaucer are hot on the tomes trail when gowers sinister son, simon, returns inopportunely from exile abroad. At the heart of the novel is a book detailing the deaths of all the english kings from william the conqueror up to and including the current reigning king, richard ii. John gower a poet himself, but more importantly, a man with connections must find the book to save his friend, the poet geoffrey chaucer. A burnable book, as referred to in the title of bruce holsingers new novel of england and florence in the late 14th century, is simply a book that might cost the possessor his life.
The title of this book is a burnable book and it was written by bruce holsinger. Bruce holsinger is a professor of english at the university of virginia and the author of a burnable book william morrow, 2014. Any reader who enjoys robyn young insurrection, richard blake conspiracies of rome, iain pears an instance of yet there may come a time when your knowledge. In chaucers london, betrayal, murder, royal intrigue, mystery, and dangerous politics swirl around the existence of a prophetic book that foretells the death of englands kings in this irresistible historical thriller, reminiscent of the classics an instance of the fingerpost, the name of the. Jan 31, 2014 a burnable book by bruce holsinger january 31, 2014 january 31, 2014 there seem to have been a lot of historical thrillers in recent years that focus on the search for a valuable item a book, a crown or a manuscript. It is richard ii that we meet who is heavily influenced by his uncle john.
Holsinger is a prolific and awardwinning scholar of the middle ages who teaches at the university of virginia in charlottesville. It was published by william morrow paperbacks and has a total of 464 pages in the book. Surrounded by ruthless courtiersincluding his powerful uncle, john of gaunt, and gaunts artful mistress, katherine swynfordenglands young. What he doesnt know or understand are his personal connections to the book that could also get him killed. A burnable book by bruce holsinger she reads novels. Jan 26, 2020 bruce holsinger has been trying to add history in his work now and the blend of history and fiction provide an appealing and irresistible taste to the audience.
His first two novels, a burnable book and the invention of fire, are set in and around medieval london, where the poets geoffrey chaucer and john gower spent much of their lives. In 85 london, the race is on to recover a missing book. The author or the owner of such a book could be accused of anything. His first two novels, a burnable book and the invention of fire, are set in and around medieval london, where the poets geoffrey chaucer and john gower spent much of. Jan 30, 2014 a burnable book, bruce holsingers debut novel is set in england during the reign of richard ii. He is a guggenheim fellow and a recipient of research fellowships from the american council of learned societies and the national endowment for the humanities. Summary a burnable book author bruce holsinger summary england of 85 and the young king richard is busy trying to unite his island country with enemies. Additionally, bruce has authored nonfiction books on medieval culture and literature and won a guggenheim fellowship. College admissions scandal the wall street journal holsinger. His books on medieval culture have won numerous prizes from the modern language association, the medieval academy of america, and other scholarly organizations, and he is the coauthor of the complete idiots guide to movies, flicks, and film. May 04, 2014 interview with bruce holsinger at the university of virginia, may 2014. Surrounded by ruthless courtiersincluding his powerful uncle, john of gaunt, and gaunts artful mistress, katherine swynfordenglands young, still untested king, richard ii, is in mortal peril, and the danger is only beginning. A burnable book is fragrant with the stench of medieval london. One anachronism and history becomes science fiction.
A city of shadows and fear, in a kingdom ruled by the headstrong young king richard ii, haunted by the spectre of revolt. Recommended read a burnable book by bruce holsinger. He is considered an expert on the use of parchment in medieval english manuscript production, and organised, with bioarchaeologists from the university of york. She retrieves the book and wraps it once more in the cloth, hiding them both in her skirts. The author or the owner of such a book could be accused of anything from heresy to treachery and end his life burned at the stake. Life is hard and the place stinks, literally it smells bad. A burnable book, by bruce holsinger the washington post. A burnable book is fragrant with the stench of medieval london the hunt for a book of seditious poems is at the heart of medievalist bruce holsingers detailpacked new novel.
If 14thcentury londoners were to come alive, he more than most would know what they might talk about. A burnable book, by bruce holsinger the new york times. A burnable book, bruce holsingers debut novel is set in england during the reign of richard ii. Bruce holsingers a burnable book is an irresistible historical thriller reminiscent of the classics an instance of the fingerpost, the name of the rose, and the crimson petal and the white. In this endeavor, bruce holsinger is a gamekeeper turned poacher. In a burnable book bruce holsinger shows himself well up to the task. A burnable book by bruce holsinger overdrive rakuten. Bruce holsinger is the author of the first john gower novel, a burnable book, and an awardwinning scholar of the medieval period who teaches at the university of virginia. Bruce holsinger s a burnable book is an irresistible historical thriller reminiscent of the classics an instance of the fingerpost, the name of the rose, and the crimson petal and the white.
Feb 18, 2014 a burnable book is fragrant with the stench of medieval london the hunt for a book of seditious poems is at the heart of medievalist bruce holsingers detailpacked new novel. The result is a rare sort of book, a domestic drama with the pace of a whodunit. A stunning debut historical thriller set in the turbulent 14th century for fans of cj sansom, the name of the rose and an instance of the fingerpost. A deep understanding of the period combines with sophisticated writing to create a richly imagined world. Bruce holsinger, author of a burnable book virginia living books. Surrounded by ruthless courtiersincluding his powerful uncle, john of gaunt, and gaunts artful mistress, katherine swynfordenglands. Surrounded by ruthless courtiersincluding his powerful uncle, john of gaunt, and gaunts artful mistress, katherine swynfordenglands young, still untested king, richard ii, is in mortal peril. He is the author of the gifted school riverhead books, 2019, in development as a tv series with nbcuniversal television.
A burnable book in chaucers london, betrayal, murder, royal intrigue, mystery, and dangerous politics swirl around the existence of a prophetic book that foretells the deaths of englands kings. A medieval scholar at the university of virginia, he specializes in culture, religion and literature. Here in the pages of bruce holsingers medieval adventure, that randy old poet finally gets the mission impossible cameo he deserves. Reigning over england is richard ii, later to adorn one of shakespeares plays. Interview with bruce holsinger at the university of virginia, may 2014. Summary a burnable book author bruce holsinger summary england of 85 and the young king richard is busy trying to unite his island country with enemies surrounding him as well as from within his own court. Bruce holsinger is a novelist and literary scholar based in charlottesville, virginia, and the recipient of a guggenheim fellowship.
Trouble is, possession of a burnable book, one that embodies heresy andor threats to the kings person, is high treason. Surrounded by ruthless courtiers including his powerful uncle, john of gaunt, and gaunts ar. Soon she has left the moorfields and traced a route below the causeway, circling north of a city suddenly foreign to her, though she has spent nearly all her life between its many gates. Website of bruce holsinger, author of the gifted school. The back biting and intrigue in his court leaves the young king with few to trust. Feb 16, 2014 in this endeavor, bruce holsinger is a gamekeeper turned poacher. Holsinger is also a fiction writer, the author of two historical novels set in ricardian england. A book of poems prophesying the death of english kings, including the newly crowned king richard ii, is all anyone can talk about. The first book in john gower series opens up with the murder of a young woman and the theft of burnable book which contains accurate prophecies about the deaths of england monarchs, including the current king. Bruce holsinger, author of a burnable book youtube. The invention of fire harpercollinswilliam morrow 2015.