The Master of Bruges
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Review
'Morgan has produced a stunning debut, a novel of people rather than place, The Master of Bruges excels in vivid characterisation, sparkling dialogue and a savagely cynical worldliness... An intelligent and exciting new voice in historical fiction.'
--Lancashire Evening Post
'Choosing the enigmatic 15th century artist Hans Memling as the subject of his exquisite debut novel was a master stroke by Terence Morgan... Intelligent and exciting.' --Lancashire Evening Post --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
--Lancashire Evening Post
'Choosing the enigmatic 15th century artist Hans Memling as the subject of his exquisite debut novel was a master stroke by Terence Morgan... Intelligent and exciting.' --Lancashire Evening Post --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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History is a matter of perspective . . .
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I enjoyed this well-written novel about Hans Memling, a 15th-century artist. This fast-paced story gives an inside look at the heart and mind of a painter who was often commissioned to paint portraits of nobility. Memling was an observer of people and of history and yet, this novel is much more than a recount of events. It is the story of what an artist must do to keep his clients happy.
The voice of the narrator is crisp, and I was drawn into the drama of the times. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next Terence Morgan novel.
The voice of the narrator is crisp, and I was drawn into the drama of the times. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next Terence Morgan novel.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I like historical novels and I was quite enjoying this one about the 15th century Flemish artist Hans Memling - even though it was all a bit superficial and unlikely, and the lectures on art were getting tiresome - until the entry of two mysterious Yorkist refugees from England in 1470, Ned and Dick 'Plant'. Surely not, I thought.
Unfortunately, yes it was - none other than Edward IV and his brother Richard of Gloucester.
There follows a plot twist so ridiculous that I'm embarrassed to repeat it: basically, to protect his son and any future heirs should he die young, Edward makes Richard promise to use an old rumour to declare him (and therefore his children) illegitimate, and take over as king. Then, when Edward's son is fully grown and ready to rule, Richard would reveal the deception, give up his 'temporary job' and hand the throne back to his nephew. All with the cheerful assent of parliament and the many warring factions of 15th century England, of course - what could possibly go wrong?
Now, a certain amount of artistic licence is positively encouraged in historical fiction, and there are as many different interpretations of how and why Richard III seized the throne as there are books, but this one is so far from what could ever have happened as to make it nonsensical. I won't bore you with a list of the reasons, or with the many minor plot points which are almost as ludicrous.
'History is a matter of perspective' says the tagline on the cover - have I missed something? Is it meant to be a comedy or a fantasy?
Whatever: I managed to get to the end, but I have to admit that I only skimmed through the second half of the book in disbelief.
Unfortunately, yes it was - none other than Edward IV and his brother Richard of Gloucester.
There follows a plot twist so ridiculous that I'm embarrassed to repeat it: basically, to protect his son and any future heirs should he die young, Edward makes Richard promise to use an old rumour to declare him (and therefore his children) illegitimate, and take over as king. Then, when Edward's son is fully grown and ready to rule, Richard would reveal the deception, give up his 'temporary job' and hand the throne back to his nephew. All with the cheerful assent of parliament and the many warring factions of 15th century England, of course - what could possibly go wrong?
Now, a certain amount of artistic licence is positively encouraged in historical fiction, and there are as many different interpretations of how and why Richard III seized the throne as there are books, but this one is so far from what could ever have happened as to make it nonsensical. I won't bore you with a list of the reasons, or with the many minor plot points which are almost as ludicrous.
'History is a matter of perspective' says the tagline on the cover - have I missed something? Is it meant to be a comedy or a fantasy?
Whatever: I managed to get to the end, but I have to admit that I only skimmed through the second half of the book in disbelief.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My eye caught this book while enjoying the delights of Bruge. A really cracking story and a historical eye-opener. First, I enjoyed the format of the story: there's nothing like small dynamic chapters to spur you on. Second, the use of the historical material was first class. The idea of creating an exciting narrative within the framework of historical material is far from easy. Morgan did an excellent job in mixing fact with fiction and applying all the rumors and conspiracy theories associated with the War of the Roses in general and the death of the Princes in the Tower in particular. His take on Richard 3rd was great - an almost whitewashed saint! And to crown it all he bestows us with the wonderful biography and insights of the great Flemish primitive painter, Hans Memling. Well done Mr Morgan, I await your next work!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Enjoyable load of hooey
Crackpot theories about Richard III abound, and this has to be the crackpottiest yet. However, it isn't presented as serious history; indeed, the narrator of the novel actually... Read more
Published 10 months ago by R. A. Williams
Artist's story
The story was interesting especially for a different view on Richard III and the princes in the tower which takes up much of the second half of the book. Read more
Published 16 months ago by D. J. Chandler
Mostly a cracking tale
This is a good story, and I learned about Memling's paintings (and methods) at the same time. I've read quite a lot about Richard the Third and I'm glad the author sees him as a... Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2010 by Rosalind
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