I wanted to try one of Bernard Cornwell’s highly recommended historical novels and where better to start than with one set in the time of Shakespeare’s theatre?
It is the end of the 16th Century, the era of the beginning of theatre as we know it, with plays and performers moving out of taverns and private houses and into specially built theatres
The narrative is from the POV of Richard Shakespeare who travels to London to join the theatre company run by his older brother William with whom he has a strained and rather contentious relationship.
The background scenery for Richard’s story being the trials and tribulations of running a theatre company at this point in time. There are rivalries between the different theatre companies, excitement about a performance in front of the queen and the constant concern of being shut down on the whim of the authorities, while everyone lives in fear of persecution by Puritan extremists.
I really enjoyed the author's, pleasant and smooth writing style that drew me into the characters’ stories while educating me about life in a Shakespearean theatre companies: The tedious transcribing of the scripts, the young boys playing female roles, and the famous actors of the time such as Will Kemp and Richard Burbage.
The author brings the setting to life with sights, sounds and smells so much so that at one point I exclaimed “Oh dear lord, the 16th century was an appalling place to live!”

I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it to all.

Very well written. Cornwell transports you to Elizabethan London, where you find out what it's like to be the estranges brother of Will Shakespeare, and all the drama that goes with it.

Unfortunately I just could not get into this book. It may be one for other readers, but I was unable to finish it.

A big departure from his other books.but as usual well researched and great characters. I really enjoyed this book especially as it referenced so much of the history of this time that I really enjoy. You can really relate to the characters and really care how everything turns out.

I struggled quite a bit with this book, although I was so excited to read some of Cromwell’s work. Having read some other reviews for this book I have seen this described as out of his comfort zone, and so I may give The Last Kingdom a go instead of this. I couldn’t get into the story and found that I couldn’t relate to or get excited by the characters. Richard was whiny and the plot was slow and didn’t grab my attention. I also thought that, although the theatrical setting was cool, the repeated rehearsal and performance structure felt repetitive.
However I did think that the author did a good job at describing Elizabethan England which makes me intrigued by the author’s other work. Unfortunately I just wasn’t enjoying this book and dropped out before the end.

Elizabethen England, Bernard Cornwell, what more do you want! A beautiful book written by one of the greatest authors of a modern age

This was my first Bernard Cornwell, and I was really excited to read this after hearing so much about his books. I was certainly not disappointed!

This was definitely not a complex historical fiction, but young Richard Shakespeare's exploits kept me glued to the book and highly entertained. The mix of real and fictional characters and events was executed flawlessly, and I absolutely loved the detail Cornwell put in describing the process of putting together a play in Shakespearean times.

My one complaint is that characters (aside from Richard) could have been more fleshed out to provide a fuller experience, but even so this was a most enjoyable read.

Thank you for the opportunity to read Fools and Mortals. I have read many, many Bernard Cornwell books over the years and have had the pleaure of seeing him in launch events in the past - The Winter King trilogy remains one of my favourite series to this day.

However, I have struggled to get into Fools and Mortals and have not been able to read the book to completion. I am afraid this story did not grab me in the way I had hoped it may and despite having read the first 20% or so I didn't feel any compulsion to keep reading. I stopped some weeks ago and haven't returned to the book since then.

I am sorry I have not been able to provide a review as I had hoped, this one just wasn't for me I am afraid.

Received ARC from Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for honest read and review.

The blurb sounded really entertaining,but my goodness I couldn't get into this one at all.None of the characters grabbed me,and I could not even get by chapter 2.....

Not for me.

The World, A Stage

This is a one-off by Bernard Cornwell and very different from his normal fare, and some of his fans will be somewhat bemused, I think. It is set in Elizabethan London and focuses on the acting company of Will Shakespeare, but through the eyes of his lesser known brother. The plot involves politics, drama, stolen manuscripts and stagecraft. The reader will learn of the origin of plays such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet, as well as less savoury aspects of Elizabethan times. The portrayal of Shakespeare is an interesting one, as it appears through the lens of sibling rivalry. In truth the plot is rather predictable, but the story telling is excellent, with lots of references to the plays and some first-class jokes. I am glad to report a comedy, not a tragedy.

This is my first Bernard Cornwell book and I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it. Well, after a slightly slow start, I was riveted. The plot was intriguing, and the history and life at the time wonderfully researched.
Not much is actually known about Shakespeare, so it was nice reading this novel and imagining how he was as a person. One of my favourite Shakespeare plays is A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the rehearsals for this play are central to the book.
I have read that this book is a slight departure from Bernard Cornwell’s usual style, so I am intrigued to discover how I find his previous novels.

I'm guessing that this was a bad choice for my first foray into the world of Bernard Cornwell. I've seen his books around for years and my own mother owns numerous titles. I just didn't enjoy this. It seemed to take ages to get into it and then it seemed to repeat the plot of a Shakespeare play three times. Having looked at other reviews, it seems that this isn't his usual style of writing either. I love Shakespeare and the plot sounded enjoyable but it ended up falling flat. It felt very slow moving and seemed to take forever to get through. After reading some brilliant books, this put me in a slump. I may try his other books and see if I prefer his usual writing style.

I received this book from netgalley 2 years ago and can't believe that I have not read it before now. The book is set in the time of Shakespeare and also includes William Shakespeare as one of the characters although the (fictional) story centres on his not so famous brother Richard. The history of the theatre at that time has been well researched and the descriptions of the London of that time, theatre and costumes is fantastic - I felt as if I was there. Richard has little money as he is a 'hired' actor - he has to make a decision as to whether he should join another company promising more money. Along the way he is questioned/tortured regarding his religious beliefs and also falls in love with one of his employers maids - however she is betrothed to someone else. All in all a great read. Thanks netgalley for the free read.

I tried to finish this one but sorry could not finish it. This one was not for me. I could not get into this book after trying a few times.

I loved the premise of this book - the brother of the more famous William Shakespeare plotting his way round Tudor England, but somehow it didn't do it for me. If you really like historical fiction loosely wound around known facts, I am suer it is brilliant.

You had me at Elizabethan London and Cromwell.
And I was hooked through out.

The setting was fantastic and the way the scenes are painted made it so real you could almost reach through the pages and touch the buildings, back drops and people.
The people were so lavish and deep that you could see them playing their part on the stage and in the shadows.
The story...it was difficult to wrap my head around at first, my mind kept slipping into the school taught history of Shakespeare, however once I got into the story I was hooked.

Grab this book for a weekend adventure to the past without the need for a time machine or shots.

I've really enjoyed Bernard Cornwell's writing in other novels, such as the Warlord Chronicles and his Arthurian trilogy. The author does such a good job crafting interesting characters, telling an exciting/intriguing story and paying close attention to including accurate historical detail. 'In Fools and Mortals', Cornwell sets aside his best known theme of warfare to spin a tale of Elizabethan England, William Shakespeare and his company of actors. As ever, his writing is intelligent and entertaining, cleverly written with well researched detail, yet so ehgaging and easy to read.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this historical fiction about the Shakespeares. It was very intriguing.

Bernard Cornwell is an amazing writer, he has brought Shakespearean London to life as usual the research is sublime. The theatres of Elizabethan London are brought to vibrant colour, the struggle between the puritanical Protestants and the catholic’s are in full flow, the theatre has a friend in the rich and powerful but how long can this go on?

Into that add William Shakespeare’s lesser known brother Richard and you have a tale to be told- Cornwell’s loveof Shakespeare is evident and makes for a richer story.

Another hit for Cornwell....

Some authors have the ability to transport you body and soul into the past; their knowledge and zest for the period taking you along for the ride. For me Bernard Cornwell has always been one of those writers, a safe pair of hands at the wheel of a vehicle hurtling towards a shield wall or infantry square. His long running series are absorbing, enlightening and bring enjoyment to many die hard fans but it’s good that he occasionally detours to a different destination.

Fools and Mortals introduces us to Richard Shakespeare, middling actor and brow-beaten younger brother of a certain William. He has been playing female parts for longer than he anticipated and is struggling against the constraints placed on him by his more successful sibling. Cornwell has a habit of placing iconic figures on the periphery of his tales and not always treating them sympathetically, so it goes with William Shakespeare. No hero worshipping white-wash here - despite his clear reverence for The Bard’s works he doesn’t assume that he was a saint.

Although the story and pacing wasn’t quite up to the standard of his military tales this novel is very enjoyable. The author brought his passion for history and knack for authentic world-building to this era, his insights into the difficulties faced by Elizabethan players and the realities behind bringing a play to the stage are enlightening.

Bernard Cornwell is an excellent author, always able to convey the reader to a time and place effortlessly. His Sharpe and Uhtred novels are action-packed but well researched and full of historical flourishes. Cornwell brings many of his skills to Fools and Mortals plus obvious enthusiasm for the subject matter.