A SPURIOUS BROOD by Phil Revell
Review by Rachel
Fact wrapped up as fiction is presented here in A Spurious Brood. This is the story of the four children of Katherine More, herself the youngest daughter of an old Shropshire family; land but not cash rich. As was typical of the time, Katherine was forced into a marriage neither she nor her husband desired. However less typical is the way in which the marriage plays out. It is the true story of her four young children who are sent as foundlings to America as passengers on The Mayflower.
There is so much cruelty at play here simply for the sake of saving face and keeping reputation, the pain caused over legal aspects of a marriage that should never have taken place; all the while set against a backdrop of a changing Great Britain under the unification of James I, or VI depending on your viewpoint. This story is so well written it’s impossible to not find yourself angry at the treatment of Katherine as well as finding your heart breaking for her.
If there was any drawback to A Spurious Brood, it would be a question as to why the cover picture is a wooded glade rather than a picture of The Mayflower, perhaps. Not a criticism, more of a wondering as this may help attract further readers.
A Spurious Brood is not a book I would have usually read. It’s not the period of history I usually delve into, neither is it battle ready and full of the sounds of clanking armour but I am extremely glad this was sent to me. This is a story I would absolutely recommend, I would go as far as to say that it’s one that needs to be ordered from libraries or Amazon immediately. Don’t let this book pass you by.
Published
30/09/2011
Publisher
Ascribe Publishing
ISBN
9780956962607
http://www.amazon.com/A-SPURIOUS-BROOD-ebook/dp/B006E8ZWWS
Fact wrapped up as fiction is presented here in A Spurious Brood. This is the story of the four children of Katherine More, herself the youngest daughter of an old Shropshire family; land but not cash rich. As was typical of the time, Katherine was forced into a marriage neither she nor her husband desired. However less typical is the way in which the marriage plays out. It is the true story of her four young children who are sent as foundlings to America as passengers on The Mayflower.
There is so much cruelty at play here simply for the sake of saving face and keeping reputation, the pain caused over legal aspects of a marriage that should never have taken place; all the while set against a backdrop of a changing Great Britain under the unification of James I, or VI depending on your viewpoint. This story is so well written it’s impossible to not find yourself angry at the treatment of Katherine as well as finding your heart breaking for her.
If there was any drawback to A Spurious Brood, it would be a question as to why the cover picture is a wooded glade rather than a picture of The Mayflower, perhaps. Not a criticism, more of a wondering as this may help attract further readers.
A Spurious Brood is not a book I would have usually read. It’s not the period of history I usually delve into, neither is it battle ready and full of the sounds of clanking armour but I am extremely glad this was sent to me. This is a story I would absolutely recommend, I would go as far as to say that it’s one that needs to be ordered from libraries or Amazon immediately. Don’t let this book pass you by.
Published
30/09/2011
Publisher
Ascribe Publishing
ISBN
9780956962607
http://www.amazon.com/A-SPURIOUS-BROOD-ebook/dp/B006E8ZWWS