Review: Reels you in, keeps you hooked
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 13, 2014
This is quite a departure for Ms Tyler, in that her books up to now have been pure fiction. Kings and Queens is also, of course fiction, but her imagination has weaved a fascinating network of criss-crossing ideas leaping across 500 years, creating the concept of `King' Harry Lanchester and his trials and tribulations, comparing these with the life and loves of bluff King Hal.In less experienced hands, this idea could have been a fiasco, but Ms Tyler's treatment has produced results which are surprising and splendid. There's nothing at all clumsy or contrived about this novel, as there might have been. I particularly liked the parts where Will Brandon, Harry's lifelong friend, has sections all through the book, acting as impartial observer on the dysfunctional Lanchester family, the story of which is otherwise seen through the eyes of each of Harry's successive wives. Problems could have been legion: the real King Henry chopped off the head of his favourite wife. Since broadswords and chopping blocks weren't much in evidence in 1980s Britain, how do you get rid of Harry Lanchester's lovely wife number two, Annette Hever? I won't spoil the story, but to say her solution worked and worked convincingly is all you need to know.To go into details would be pointless and, again, might even spoil the story, but I think this writer has done something pretty rare: to take an idea that might have been a disaster and created something quite magical, that, I believe, will stand the test of time. As with all her books there's no `padding' or dull parts, everything is interesting, lively, and germane to the plot. The characters of the different wives are cleverly conveyed through their own words and perceptions, effortlessly showing you which of them is wily and clever, which are vacuous and nave, even though none of them are truly evil, realistic characterisation, so true to life.Harry is definitely a flawed hero, and in one way this book is a consummate study of selfishness. If you live your life thinking primarily of yourself, does it give you ultimate happiness? Or does the lack of empathy with others have a corrosive effect on your own life, however much material wealth you might accrue? These are weighty issues, and ones which Ms Tyler tackles in an insightful way.In a way there are two analogies, for in addition to the Tudor historical allusions, there's a reminder of the grisly birth of Britain's `greed is good' philosophy that became prevalent in the early 1980s Britain, when austerity was a word in a dictionary hardly anyone had heard of, let alone experienced.It's a convincing modern novel, set in the last century with allusions to half a millennia prior to that: no mean feat to pull off. And Ms Tyler has pulled it off. Masterfully.By the way, it's important to mention that non-British readers, who know nothing about King Henry V111, don't need to know anything about him to enjoy this book.  It's definitely a book that stands alone on its own merit.In all kinds of ways this book is one that will reel you in, keep you hooked and remain with you for a long time afterwards, and frankly, it's just thoroughly enjoyable. I hear she is now working on a sequel, so that's something to look forward to. Please don't keep us waiting too long.