Harris' Holy Fools a Hit

Again, I can blame my reading of this one on the whole Talking Book thing.

However, it was lovely after my last reading of Harris, to revist her at her best. Holy Fools has a lot of the magic of Chocolat, but as darker and more mysterious.

Set in 17th century France, Juliet (once a actor and tight-rope walker) lives in a remote abbey where she is raising her five-year-old daughter, Fleur. But the abbey of Sainte Marie de la Mer is about to receive a visitor - one who knows Juliet far too well.

When Guy LeMerle arrives disguised as a cleric, Juliet realises this costume can only hide his most dazzling and malicious performance of all. And when Guy realises his old companion Juliet is there, he feels compelled to draw her into his schemes through any means necessary.

Harris pokes a bit of fun at religious fanatacism here, which always sits well with me, and tells a thrilling and engaging story. This is definitely worth looking at - you are guaranteed to enjoy it.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

This was an 'it' book a few years ago, and my new fondness for audio books while I am driving or exercising is forcing me to diversify a little. In this case, finally reading such a recognisable book was really a good thing.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is an interesting blend of fact with a little bit of fiction... very Truman Capote.

Berendt himself narrates the story of Jim Williams, a Savannah native accused of the murder of one of his employees - a young attractive man called Danny Hansford. There is a strong suggestion by the prosecution that Hansford and Williams were lovers. Williams was a wealthy older bachelor in the antique business who seemed to employ Hansford to live with him for spurious reasons.

The case was interesting - Williams claimed self-defence, but no gunshot residue was found on Hansford. It took four trials before Williams was finally cleared. But more importantly, the novel paints a fascinating portrait of Savannah itself, a place Berendt had a growing passion for. He came on a short trip, and ended up returning for gradually extending periods of time, until it was clear that he really lived in Savannah, and only made the most necessary trips back to New York.

Berendt, a journalist by trade, approaches the story as it unfolds in much the same way. However, whereas in the book Berendt claims to have been in Savannah and acquainted with Williams and the action of the book long before the shooting, in reality he had only met Williams a year after he was arrested. He has fictionalised and added himself to aspects of the story that he was told of later, to paint a better picture.

Berendt, openly gay himself, paints us many interesting character portraits. The most notable (the one that "got to him" most), was the Lady Chablis, a pre-operative transsexual who never planned on actually having the operation. This feisty Southern Belle is one of the most memorable characters in the story, although not central to it.

Fascinatingly, Berendt openly explores the aura of voodoo and black magic that surrounds the south, and describes in detail the woman of power Williams hires to help him with his case. The title comes from a particular excursion she takes Williams and Berendt on, to a cemetary. She says she must work in the half hour before midnight to do good, and the half hour after midnight to do evil.

This was more enjoyable than I expected, and well worth a look. The Talking Book only goes for about three hours.

The Boleyn Inheritance

Okay. it's official. I have become addicted to Talking Books.

Not because these are replacing my normal reading - rather, they are supplementing it. Now I have a book on the go, as well as one happening on CD. I rather look forward to walking my dog that little bit more, because I also get to find out what happens next in my Talking Book.

So, the latest one I have finished is another historical fiction (I must admit, that lack of choice is a real concern here). And it also surrounds Henry VIII. I warned you he was one of my favourite historical characters!

The Boleyn Inheritance is told from three perspectives; Anne of Cleves, the woman on her way to become Henry's fourth queen, Catherine Howard, the spoiled young lasy-in-waitng who becomes the fifth, and Jane Boleyn who watches and orchestrates so much on behalf of her benefactor, the Duke of Norfolk. After all, it was he who suggested she testify against her hisband George and sister-in-law Anne. And this at least saved her title and lands.

In opposition to the George novel I read recently, Henry is really quite demonised here, and we manage to feel sorry for all of these three women who somehow seem to inherit something from the Boleyns. But to each, it means something different. To the angelic but reserved Anne, it is a throne with a shadow across it, and a husband she can never please. A husband who is not afraid to behead his wives if it suits his purpose. Catherine, who inherits some of the Boleyn lands during her rise in the King's favour, also falls under this very same shadow when political machinations put her on the throne. And Jane - Jane thinks she has already saved her Boleyn inheritance, but instead also has to face the axeman.

History has reported all their stories already, so a reader wont be suprised by the end of the journey, but the journeying itself is rather good. I was amazed that I could have so much sympathy for each of the characters - even vain and silly Catherine, who was portrayed as such a harlot in the other novel.

Worth a read, one of Gregory's better ones.

Oh, and if anyone would like to recommend me another historical fiction that isn't about Henry VIII, that might be a refreshing change!