- Hardcover: 228 pages
- Publisher: Chatto & Windus; First Edition edition (31 July 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1856197069
- ISBN-13: 978-1856197069
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 15.6 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 577,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Peter Ackroyd opts for full immersion in The Clerkenwell Tales after dipping a toe, or ten, in the Middle Ages with Albion: The Origins of the English Imagination. The Clerkenwell Tales is a gripping novel about murder and religious and political intrigue in 14th century London. As hinted at in the title, a cap is generously doffed to The Canterbury Tales; several characters and chapter headings mimic Chaucer and, at least superficially, it takes the form of a series of interconnected tales.
Although this is a work of fiction, it is nonetheless as rich in historical material as, say, his evocative London: A Biography. Set in 1399, it's heavily underwired by events surrounding Henry Bolingbroke's usurpation of Richard II. On the whole an appendix, dubbed "The Author's Tale", keeps the Ye Olde London factoids from intruding on the yarn but there are moments, especially when he touches on Medieval customs and eating habits, where the research bubbles to the surface. However, like Hawksmoor and The House of John Dee, it's Ackroyd's judicious use of the more esoteric shards of the capital's past that really fuels the drama. This is, after all, Clerkenwell in the era of the mystery plays; a district inhabited by quack physicians, dung rakers, heretical sects and murderous clerics. (Think Umberto Eco in EC1.)
Clarice, the novel's demonic central force, is a sister of the House of St Mary beset by visions. "Some called her the mad nun ... others revered her as the Blessed Maid of Clerkenwell" but in this "turbulent time of a weak and wretched king" Clarice's prophecies of impending doom strike an ominous chord. Elsewhere in the City, a shadowy group of pre-eminent Londoners, known as Dominus, have long been plotting to dethrone Richard and install Henry. William Exmewe, an Austin Friar and Dominus member, has slowly nurtured a gang of lowly religious dissenters--the foreknown, or predestined ones--to, unknowingly, aid their cause. Believing themselves, as Christ's true followers, to be absolved from all sin, William has persuaded them to wage, essentially, a terrorist campaign to bring on God's day of judgement. The predestined ones will fire five churches, making five wounds upon London, mirroring the five wounds of Christ and the five circles of an ancient Christian symbol. (A mystical five-pointed pentagram was something of a motif in Hawksmoor.) Quite how these schemes (and counter schemes) pan out is best left unspoiled. Ackroyd fans and anyone who savours cunning, intellectually exhilarating mystery tales will not be disappointed. --Travis Elborough
Review
Another year, another Ackroyd, although his 2003 offering marks a return to the historical novels which helped to establish his reputation. The Clerkenwell Tales' backdrop of late fourteenth-century London is coloured by the narratives of a nun, a friar, a merchant and a clerk, told with a nod and a wink towards Chaucer's prose and passions. The nun in question, Sister Clarisse, opens the book, a woman whose premonitions of a future in which Henry Bolingbroke overthrows Richard II causes much concern, not all of it sceptical. What follows is a portrait of a time when disenchantment with the Church and the attendant dangers of heresy results in spying, secret societies and murder.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The year is 1399. London is rife with rumours of the overthrow of an increasingly unpopular Richard II by Henry Bolingbroke. In the style of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, Peter Ackroyd chronicles the intersecting lives of a wide array of the city's inhabitants caught in this world of dangerous political and religious intrigue.
Ackroyd has created a fast-paced, historically-detailed journey down the lanes and alleys of medieval London that is a joy to read. Equally fun - and sometimes a challenge - is negotiating the vocabulary of Medieval English, Anglo-French and variants of Latin! It is also great fun meeting such a wide-ranging cast of London folk.
Despite being an immensely enjoyable historical read, The Clerkenwell Tales has shortcomings as a novel. Although described as a 'murder-mystery' there doesn't appear to be much in the way of coherent plot/storyline: indeed, there are three (or more) murders but no sustained mystery or organized investigation into their perpetration. Moreover, due to the large number of characters and short length of this novel, none of the characters is developed in sufficient depth to engage the reader's emotional involvement in their fortunes.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Yet again, Ackroyd comes up trumps with an eminentely readable - I'd say, unputdownable - murder mystery tale set in Clerkenwell, by the old River Fleet, London in 1399. Ackroyd uses all his copious historical knowledge to evoke a memorable picture of medieval life, replete with a cast of colourful characters. At times I could almost smell the blood of old Smithfield and see the Fleet. Ackroyd brings together diverse plot threads around Sister Clarice, a nun who seems to have a direct line to God but who is profoundly destabilising to the community. The backdrop to the plot is the demise of Richard II and Bolingbroke's ascent to the throne. Through this is woven apocalyptic sects, Lollards, whores and useless medics. How Ackroyd brings all these characters together in the unpredictable but thrilling denouement is for the reader to find out. Please do read this book - if you're intrigued by the idea of medieval London then savour its recreation here.
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having read a London: The Biography and The Life & Times of Sir Thomas More, I was looking forward to reading The Clerkenwell Tales. Sadly I was disappointed, as the book largely failed to live up to the sum of its parts. This historical novel delves into the usurpation of King Richard II by Henry Bollingbroke, and Ackroyd puts forward a grand conspiracy theory for the events. The historical detail was superb, and it focuses is slightly skewed more towards ordinary people rather than the politicians and statesmen whom history tends to favour.
There were some nice comic touches to the book and the writing rattles along at a nice pace. The characters were by and large well drawn - especially the comic characters. One also felt secure with the detail in the book - often historical fiction plays hard and fast with facts to create a gripping storyline, but Ackroyd's reputation, and the footnotes made me feel like I was being guided by a safe pair of hands.
The book rotated through a number of voices, and it is here where the problems with the book start. Ackroyd fails to build up tension because one does not really feel sympathy or start rooting for one particular character. There is a collegiate nature to the way that the investigation into the conspiracy progresses, which tends to blunt much of the dramatic tension and the way that it is built up. The book works as a series of set-pieces, but doesn't really knit together terribly well. It comes across as quaint rather than dark and brooding, which was presumably the intended effect.
This is a disappointing book. Ackroyd is a superb historian, and that comes across clearly in the book. However, his dramatic skills perhaps need honing. If his next novel looks interesting, I would be tempted to give it a try...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Clerkenwell, London. The Date - 1399
Ackroyd at home again, bringing to life a city he knows and loves so well. I have most of his books - fiction, non-fiction, collections from newspaper articles and I enjoy his... Read more
Published 8 months ago by RR Waller
Medieval Magic
I really enjoyed this slight but complex novel about the rise to power of Henry Bolingbroke and the fall from grace of Richard II. Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2010 by Mrs. K. A. Wheatley
Learn social history by reading this thriller
Ackroyd, biographer and historian of London, sets this novel at the time of Bolingbroke's usurpation of the throne from Richard II. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2010 by Martin White
Hard work
This is the first Ackroyd book I have read and I doubt I will go back. Its well written and it flows well, it also gives insights into past events - though the accuracy is not... Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2008 by aceadrian
Pretentious rubbish
Ackroyd takes some (doubtless very erudite) historical research, and then builds a flimsy story around that research, rather using it to add to his story and characterisation. Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2007 by London Boy
One of his best
A very complicated set of stories centred around a plot to depose King Richard and place Henry Bolingbroke on the English throne. Read more
Published on 31 Dec 2006 by P.M. Wood
Ackroyd fails again
A great stylist, lovely writer at times. But often his books seem little more than that. This is one of the empty ones.
Published on 31 Oct 2005 by The Fat Priest
Medieval conspiracy thriller
It's funny the way none of the reviews pick up on either the conspiracy or the terrorism angle. The book is essentially a conspiracy story in which a group of highly placed men... Read more
Published on 28 Sep 2005 by Jezza
Characters and story are slaves to the structure
An absorbing read but ultimately lacking a bit of soul.There are simply too many characters in this book. Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2005 by Silver Moon Sailor
Stars
I will stake my imagination on Peter, reason being is that there is no other author in this world who has made me so alive, so vidid, so creative, just from words, mingled with... Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2003
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