The title of this book is a burnable book and it was written by bruce holsinger. Not only must the story grip the reader, but the setting must come alive. A book of poems prophesying the death of english kings, including the newly crowned king richard ii, is all anyone can talk about. A burnable book pinellas public library cooperative. 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. Gower and his friend geoffrey chaucer are hot on the tomes trail when gowers sinister son, simon, returns inopportunely from exile abroad. 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. Here in the pages of bruce holsingers medieval adventure, that randy old poet finally gets the mission impossible cameo he deserves. John gower a poet himself, but more importantly, a man with connections must find the book to save his friend, the poet geoffrey chaucer. It is richard ii that we meet who is heavily influenced by his uncle john. 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. Website of bruce holsinger, author of the gifted school. College admissions scandal the wall street journal holsinger. The invention of fire harpercollinswilliam morrow 2015.
In this endeavor, bruce holsinger is a gamekeeper turned poacher. One anachronism and history becomes science fiction. Recommended read a burnable book by bruce holsinger. She retrieves the book and wraps it once more in the cloth, hiding them both in her skirts. Additionally, bruce has authored nonfiction books on medieval culture and literature and won a guggenheim fellowship. 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 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. Bruce holsinger is a novelist and literary scholar based in charlottesville, virginia, and the recipient of a guggenheim fellowship. Surrounded by ruthless courtiers including his powerful uncle, john of gaunt, and gaunts ar. 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. A medieval scholar at the university of virginia, he specializes in culture, religion and literature. The gifted school is the juiciest book ive read in ages.
It was published by william morrow paperbacks and has a total of 464 pages in the book. A burnable book by bruce holsinger overdrive rakuten. In 85 london, the race is on to recover a missing book. This time the era is 85, the city is once again london the one we visited in the invention of fire as well. 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. A burnable book by bruce holsinger 2014, hardcover for sale.
In a burnable book bruce holsinger shows himself well up to the task. 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. 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.
Life is hard and the place stinks, literally it smells bad. Holsinger is a prolific and awardwinning scholar of the middle ages who teaches at the university of virginia in charlottesville. Bruce holsinger is a fiction writer and scholar of medieval literature who teaches at the university of virginia in charlottesville. 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. The back biting and intrigue in his court leaves the young king with few to trust. 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. 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.
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. Interview with bruce holsinger at the university of virginia, may 2014. A burnable book is fragrant with the stench of medieval. What he doesnt know or understand are his personal connections to the book that could also get him killed. A burnable book is fragrant with the stench of medieval london. Bruce holsingers captivating historical novel a burnable book is testimony to this more accurate view of a fascinating period. 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. He is the author of the gifted school riverhead books, 2019, in development as a tv series with nbcuniversal television. Feb 16, 2014 in this endeavor, bruce holsinger is a gamekeeper turned poacher. 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 considered an expert on the use of parchment in medieval english manuscript production, and organised, with bioarchaeologists from the university of york. 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. The author or the owner of such a book could be accused of anything. A city of shadows and fear, in a kingdom ruled by the headstrong young king richard ii, haunted by the spectre of revolt.
Read a sample read a sample read a sample read a sample enlarge book cover. 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. Discover book depositorys huge selection of bruce holsinger books online. A deep understanding of the period combines with sophisticated writing to create a richly imagined world.
Jan 30, 2014 a burnable book, bruce holsingers debut novel is set in england during the reign of richard ii. A burnable book a burnable book audiobook, 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. 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. Trouble is, possession of a burnable book, one that embodies heresy andor threats to the kings person, is high treason. Holsinger is also a fiction writer, the author of two historical novels set in ricardian england. A burnable book, by bruce holsinger the new york times. At the time merely considering the death of the ruling king was treasonous and. 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. Bruce holsinger s a burnable book is an irresistible historical thriller reminiscent of the classics an instance of the fingerpost, the name of the. 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. 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. Listen to a burnable book audiobook streaming online free.
A burnable book by bruce holsinger she reads novels. 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. 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. 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. A burnable book by bruce holsinger 2014, hardcover for. 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. Bruce holsinger, author of a burnable book virginia living books. 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. 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 washington post. Outside the walls of london, agnes, a maudlyn, or prostitute, observes the murder, by a cloaked, italian.
In chaucers london, betrayal, murder, and intrigue swirl around the existence of a prophetic book that foretells the deaths of englands kings. 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. Holsinger is an american author, academic and literary scholar, professor of english at the university of virginia and the author of a burnable book. Reigning over england is richard ii, later to adorn one of shakespeares plays. 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.