All the winding world by Kate Innes

 

Name of Book: All the Winding World

Author: Kate Innes

ISBN: 978-0-9934837-4-5

Publisher: Mindforest Press

Part of a Series: sequel to THE ERRANT HOURS 

Type of book: Medieval Ages, 1292, 1294-1295, knights, loyalty, ransom, capture, Edward I, England, France, siege, surrender, finances, strength, journey, daily life, pets, companions, literature 

Year it was published: 2018

Summary:

England 1294 - The country is under siege, threatened by treachery and invasion. In the contested territory of Aquitaine, the incompetence of the English command has led to the capture and death of many of King Edward’s most trusted knights. Amongst the angry hostages, there is one who will choose to betray his country.

Meanwhile in the Welsh Marches, resentment against crippling taxes and conscription boils over into rebellion. Lady Illesa Burnel, determined to protect her family and home, must find an ingenious way to free her imprisoned husband before Fortune’s Wheel tips them all into death and ruin.

In a peculiar company of pilgrims, armed only with the voice of a siren, the cunning of an actor, a rogue Templar, and a weasel, Illesa embarks on a reckless foray into the heart of the enemy’s castle.

This gripping sequel to 'The Errant Hours' interweaves old and new characters in a moving story about the savagery of war, the insistence of love and the power of illusion.

“Rich, intricate, and full of ordinary women finding power in a society that seeks to rob them of autonomy. Second novels rarely live up to the promise of the first, but this delivers wholeheartedly. A fantastic testament to the power of love.”

Best-selling author - Manda Scott

The first book in the Arrowsmith series, 'The Errant Hours', told the story of Illesa Arrowsmith, whose perilous journey with a secret manuscript saw her travel from her home Shropshire valley to the western reaches of medieval Britain.

Characters:

Two main characters include Illesa, an illegitimate daughter of Robert Burnel who has married her cousin Richard Burnel and is raising a family with him. Illesa is best described as determined, intelligent, careful, diplomatic and extremely loyal. She loves literature and often hides it when collectors come to pick up debt. She also knows how to read. She loves her husband as well and will do whatever is possible to have him returned home, but she is capable of running estates and taking care of family. Richard Burnel is a wounded knight who is forcefully conscripted to fight a disastrous battle for Edward I and is captured and ransomed. He is OBSERVANT, experienced, knowledgeable and careful. He treats people with respect and often sees reality as it is. There are plenty of minor characters like their son or men who work for them as well as noble women and yes setting and relationships between nations or languages are covered as well. 

Theme:

Don't underestimate self 

Plot:

The story is told in third person narrative primarily from Illesas point of view as well as her husband Richard and begins in 1292 when Illesa and Richard lost a child before resuming in 1294 during some disastrous periods during King Edward I reign. There is something for everyone in this tale, be it fighting, ransom protocol, loyalty, strong yet realistic women and so forth. Truly a joy to meander through these pages and with the characters, seeing their lives unfold. I do hope she will continue on with the characters. 

Author Information:
(From goodreads.com)

I was born in London, of South African parents, and spent my early life in America. At eighteen, I returned to Britain and studied Archaeology and Teaching. Two years working in rural schools in Zimbabwe helped me to grow up very quickly!

When I returned to Britain, I worked as a Museum Education Officer around the Midlands, and began to write in earnest after the arrival of my three children.

I write about the deep past. My first historical novel- 'The Errant Hours' is based on real events in the 13th century Welsh Marches. It was inspired by the seductive art of illuminated manuscripts and the influential legends of the time. These themes weave together into a story of survival and courage, trickery and love.

“Kate Innes’s glorious first novel is a lyrical joy. Up there with the best of Pat Bracewell and Elizabeth Chadwick, it offers utter immersion in an intricate, plausible world. A must read for the autumn.”

Manda Scott

My second novel, 'All the Winding World', is a sequel to 'The Errant Hours', interweaving old and new characters in a moving story about the savagery of war, the insistence of love and the power of illusion.

Currently I read mainly history, in order to get a proper frame of reference for my fiction. But I still enjoy novels when I am not working. Helen Dunmore, Barry Unsworth, Margaret Atwood, Anne Patchett and David Mitchell are profound recent influences, whereas my childhood was more in the fantasy realm, with Ursula Le Guin, Ann MacAffrey, Susan Cooper, Tolkien and CS Lewis.

I have been writing and performing poetry for many years, usually with a particular focus on animals, art or the natural world. These poems, associated research and thoughts are posted in my blog and through @kateinnes2. My poetry collection, 'Flocks of Words' contains poetry from 25 years of writing. The title poem won the 2016 Imagined Worlds Prize, from the Friends of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

I enjoy running writing workshops, collaborating to write community poems and undertaking commissions and residencies.

Opinion:

Quite often in historical fiction, the setting and people feel more modern than historical. Yet in this novel, a sequel to THE ERRANT HOURS, the setting feels as if it's from the past rather than today. In my opinion, this is more of a standalone with realistic HERO and heroine as well as a memorable journey and it's a picture of how ordinary noble people lived. The author doesnt skim over the ugliness that war creates during that turbulent period, and what happens to people especially when you were either useless or didn't have a ransom. One does need to know the basic history of what is going on or of how men and women lived during that time. ( Lack of literacy, wars, long absence, etc.) But other than that, a truly wonderful and memorable journey through a true 13th century England and France. 

This was given for review 

5 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)