A History of Death in 17th Century England by Ben Norman - #BookReview

 

Death was a constant presence in the lives of the rich and poor alike in seventeenth-century England, being much more visible in everyday existence than it is today. It is a highly important and surprisingly captivating part of the epic story of England during the turbulent years of the 1600's. 

This book guides readers through the subject using a chronological approach, as would have been experienced by those living in the country at the time, beginning with the myriad causes of death, including disease, war and capital punishment and finishing with an exploration of posthumous commemoration. Although contemporaries of the seventeenth century did not fully realise it, when it came to the confrontation of mortality they were living in wildly changing times.

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I know that we dwell a lot on the subject of death at the moment and 2020/1 is truly a time that will never be forgotten. With the UK daily death toll from covid exceeding a thousand deaths per day at the moment, the last thing that I want to do is to further depress us all by reviewing a book whose subject matter is death. 

However, this is an excellent history book and I did not find it's subject matter to be bleak and depressing in any way.   

As expected, the book considers reasons why people died during the 17th century, along with the funerary methods prevalent during this period in England and which we can recognise as the beginning of present day funereal rites. However, it is interestingly and engagingly written and well worth reading.

It is worth setting out the chapter headings here:

Chapter 1: The Natural Death

Chapter 2: The Soldierly Death

Chapter 3: The Criminal Death

Chapter 4: The Deathbed

Chapter 5: Of Corpses, Coffins and Carriages

Chapter 6: The Common and the Noble Funeral

Chapter 7: Royal Funerals

Chapter 8: The Unorthodox Burial

Chapter 9: Remembrance

Conclusion: The Seventeenth Century and Beyond

At the end of each of these chapters the author provides an extensive bibliography and I would really enjoy the opportunity to read some of them; all of which appear to be of great historical interest.

This book has been published at just the right time for me as I am researching the 17th century for a project that I am currently working on and has been instrumental in filling in some of the information gaps that I  had.

Anyone who is interested in the history of the 17th century would gain much from reading this book and I highly recommend it.

ISBN: 978 1526755261

Publisher: Pen & Sword History

Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear - #BookReview - Maisie Dobbs #10

"Maisie Dobbs manoeuvred her MG 14/28 Tourer into a place outside the bell-shaped frontage of the grand country house. She turned off the engine but remained seated. She needed time to consider her reason for coming to this place before she relinquished the security of her motor car and made her way towards the heavy oak door."

London, 1933. Two months after Usha Pramal is found murdered in a South London canal, her brother turns to Maisie Dobbs to find the truth about her death, as Scotland Yard have failed to conduct a proper investigation.

Before her murder, Usha was staying at an ayah's hostel, a refuge for Indian women whose British employers had turned them out. But nothing is as it seems and soon another Indian woman is killed before she can speak out. As Maisie is pulled deeper into an unfamiliar yet alluring subculture, her investigation becomes clouded by the unfinished business of a previous case. And at the same time her lover, James Compton, gives her an ultimatum she cannot ignore.

***

I really like the Maisie Dobbs books and this is number ten in the series. Of course, for those of you who follow my blog regularly, you will already know that I have read them all in order, as my anally retentive mind insists upon it. However, I have not reviewed them all but my reviews of Maisie Dobbs, (#1) Pardonable Lies, (#3) and Messenger of Truth (#4) can all be accessed by clicking on the title links. Although it is not entirely neccessary to read them in order I really do recommend starting with, Maisie Dobbs, the first in the series as it provides so much information of Maisie's background.

I have become rather fond of Maisie over the years. She is a bit like having a friend who I am continually drawn back to but who can be a little irritating at times. She has a tendency towards arrogance, and will sometimes bulldoze herself over the feelings of others. However, I still find her a charming and captivating character.

In this particular novel, Ms. Winspear takes up the themes of prejudice, immigration and love and combines them into one delightful story. There are ample twists and turns that are appropriately placed and paced throughout the book.

To date there are fifteen books in this series so I have at least five more to look forward to.

ISBN: 978 0749014599

Publisher: Allison & Busby

About the author:

Jacqueline Winspear was born and raised in the county of Kent, England. Following higher education at the University of London’s Institute of Education, Jacqueline worked in academic publishing, in higher education and in marketing communications in the UK.

She emigrated to the United States in 1990, and while working in business and as a personal / professional coach, Jacqueline embarked upon a life-long dream to be a writer.

A regular contributor to journals covering international education, Jacqueline has published articles in women's magazines and has also recorded her essays for KQED radio in San Francisco. She currently divides her time between Ojai and the San Francisco Bay Area and is a regular visitor to the United Kingdom and Europe.

Jacqueline is the author of the New York Times bestsellers A Lesson in Secrets, The Mapping of Love and Death, Among the Mad, and An Incomplete Revenge, and other nationally bestselling Maisie Dobbs novels. She has won numerous awards for her work, including the Agatha, Alex,and Macavity awards for the first book in the series, Maisie Dobbs, which was also nominated for the Edgar Award for best novel and was a New York Times Notable Book.

Lethal White by Robert Galbraith (A Strike Novel) - #BookReview

         

"Such is the universal desire for fame that those who achieve it accidentally or unwillingly will wait in vain for pity."

When Billy, a troubled young man, comes to private eye Cormoran Strike's office to ask for his help investigating a crime he thinks he witnessed as a child, Strike is left deeply unsettled. But before Strike can question him further, Billy bolts in a panic. 

Trying to get to the bottom of Billy's story, Strike and Robin Ellacott - one his assistant, now his partner in the agency - set off on a twisting trail that leads them through the backstreets of London, into a secretive inner sanctum within Parliament and to a beautiful but sinister manor house deep in the countryside.

And during this labyrinthine investigation, Strike's own life is far from straightforward; his relationship with Robin is more fraught than it ever has been - she is now invaluable to his business, but their personal relationship is much, much more tricky than that...

Although my edition of this book is just over 770 pages, I was so engrossed by the story and characters that I would have happily have continued reading this book if it was twice the length.

Without doubt, Robert Galbraith, the pseudonym of J.K. Rowling, is an exceptional story teller. She creates worlds and characters that are both likeable and unforgettable as evidenced by a whole generation of children and young people who have grown up alongside Harry Potter.

This is equally evident in this, the fourth book in the Cormoran Strike series. I have read the previous three novels, The Cuckoo's Calling, The Silkworm and Career of Evil.  I am completely entranced by the chemistry in the relationship between Cormoran Strike and his colleague Robin Ellacott. With each one of the books in the series I have felt that the books have grown in strength even though each of them have been fantastic novels in their own right. I think this is largely attributable to the characters who we get to know a little better with each book.

The plot has some wonderful twists and turns, making this book enormously absorbing, entertaining and unputdownable. I am excitedly anticipating the next book in the series, Troubled Blood, which is due to be published in the UK on the 9th September 2020 and on the 29th September 2020 in the US so I am just going to have to be patient until then.

If you have not read any of the books in this series then I strongly encourage you to do so as you have a real treat in store. 

Happy reading.

ISBN: 978 0751572872

Publisher: Little Brown

Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson - #BookReview

"9th April 1975, Leeds: The Bay City Rollers at number one. IRA bombs all over the country. Margaret Thatcher is the new leader of the Conservative Party. At the beginning of the month, in Albuquerque, Bill Gates founds what will become Microsoft........... In the middle of it all, Tracy Waterhouse was only concerned with the hole in one of the toes of her tights. It was growing bigger with every step she took. They were new on this morning as well."

A day like any other for security chief Tracy Waterhouse, until she makes a shocking impulse purchase. That one moment of madness is all it takes for Tracy's humdrum world to be turned upside down, the tedium of everyday life replaced by fear and danger at every turn.

Witnesses to Tracy's outrageous exchange in the Merrion Centre in Leeds are Tilly, an elderly actress teetering on the brink of her own disaster, and Jackson Brodie, who has returned to his home county in search of someone else's roots. All three characters learn that the past is never history and that no good deed goes unpunished.

I am so enjoying this series of books, of which, this is the fourth in the Jackson Brodie series. I always like to read a series of books in order and so have previously read Case Histories, One Good Turn and When Will There Be Good News; all of which have been great reads. Of course, these books would read very well out of order and my need to read books chronologically probably says more about my anally retentive personality than about the books themselves.

 I think it must be difficult to keep up the momentum of a series of books but the writing and plot are every bit as good as the earlier novels. In addition to Jackson Brodie I thought Tracy Waterhouse was a really good character. Ms. Atkinson's characters are very easy to engage with and which make this series a real treat to read. I already have the next book, Big Sky, lined up to read.

The narrative changes from the present day to the 1970's seamlessly and between Jackson and Tracy's voices. The voices are distinct and very easy to follow. Having been young during the 1970's (yes, I too, was a Bay City Rollers fan) I enjoyed this little trip down memory lane.

The author is remarkably skilled at mixing mystery and murder interwoven with good humour in a way which feels totally authentic. This series of books are a joy to read and I highly recommend them.

ISBN: 978 0552 772464

Publisher: Black Swan

About the Author:

Kate Atkinson was born in York and now lives in Edinburgh. Her first novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum, won the Whitbread Book of the Year Award and she has been a critically acclaimed international bestselling author ever since.

She is the author of a collection of short stories, Not the End of the World, and of the critically acclaimed novels Human Croquet, Emotionally Weird, Case Histories and One Good Turn.

Case Histories introduced her readers to Jackson Brodie, former police inspector turned private investigator, and won the Saltire Book of the Year Award and the Prix Westminster.

When Will There Be Good News? was voted Richard and Judy Book Best Read of the Year. After Case Histories and One Good Turn, it was her third novel to feature the former private detective Jackson Brodie, who makes a welcome return in Started Early, Took My Dog.

All That Remains: A Life in Death by Sue Black

Sue Black confronts death every day. As Professor of Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology, she focuses on mortal remains in her lab, at burial sites, at scenes of violence, murder and criminal dismemberment, and when investigating mass fatalities due to war, accident or natural disaster. In All that Remains she reveals the many faces of death she has come to know, using key cases to explore how forensic science has developed, and what her work has taught her.

Do we expect a book about death to be sad? Macabre? Sue’s book is neither. There is tragedy, but there is also humour in stories as gripping as the best crime novel. Our own death will remain a great unknown. But as an expert witness from the final frontier, Sue Black is the wisest, most reassuring, most compelling of guides.

Sue Black first came to my attention when I saw her on television. She presents as an exciting person to watch and  listen to so when I saw this book I had no hesitation about reading it despite its potentially macabre and depressing topic. 

However, nothing could be further from the truth. For those of you who have not seen her on television she is a red-headed Scot who is full of enthusiasm for her subject and who brings the subject of forensic anthropology to life in her own unique way. As an anatomist she has much to say on the subject of death. However, her very down to earth manner ensures that this book is uplifting and positive to read. I was absolutely gripped by her writing and finished this book within a couple of days.

It is true that there are some difficult subjects to consider in this book. The author has worked in areas of mass fatalities such as Kosovo, Thailand following the tsunami in 2004 and also London following the bombings on the 7th July 2005. All horrendous situations but she talks about her work with compassion, sensitivity and knowledge.

Sprinkled amongst all this is evidence of Sue's infectious humour. However, I do not in any way want to suggest that she is light hearted about death, identification of the dead or those who bequeath their bodies to science. Rather she demonstrates tremendous respect for the dead and those left behind but she writes about this in a way that enables the reader to understand the science, medicine and challenges behind what she does in a way that makes it fascinating to read about.

I highly recommend this book. It will appeal to anyone who is interested in science as well as those who enjoy crime fiction. The author works closely with Val McDermid and other crime writers and her influence on books of this genre can be seen in this book. 

Do let me know your thoughts on this fascinating book when you read it.

ISBN: 9780857524928

Publisher: Random House UK

About the Author:

Sue Black is Professor of Anatomy and Anthropology at the University of Dundee. She graduated from the University of Aberdeen and later studied for her PhD there. 

She was awarded an OBE in 2001 for her services to forensic anthropology in Kosovo. In 2016 she was listed in the Queen's Birthday Honors for her continued services to forensic anthropology.

She lives in Scotland with her husband and three daughters.