Tudor intrigue and Shakespeare how could you not want to pick this book up. Bernard Cornwell takes you into the teaming smelly streets of London at the time that the 'Theatre' was being invented. Competition for high quality plays is intense, religious fundamentalists are against the theatre full stop and every where you look there are theives and vagabonds. Set against the first production of a Midsummer Night's Dream you not only learn masses about Elizabethan theatre but also get enmeshed into the intrigue of court and players. If you love a Tudor mystery this is the book for you.

I loved this book, but then I love anything to do with Shakespeare. I'm addicted to Upstart Crow on the telly, and I love matching the characters to their counterparts in here. The story is good too, full of good historical detail, and well rounded. A definite recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

Never having been a fan of Bernard Cornwell's Tom Sharpe novels I was a bit hesitant about reading Fools and Mortals when I received it from Netgalley, but as I am always willing to take a chance on something new I thought I would give it a couple of chapters before making any decisions about whether to read the whole book or to abandon it as not my cup of tea.

The book is so removed from what I remember of the story-telling style and plot-lines of earlier Bernard Cornwell books that I had struggled to read that I almost had to check that this was the same author and not another with a similar name.

By the end of chapter two, I was captivated and thoroughly enjoyed reading the rest of the book.

The story is set towards the end of the Tudor era, a time when theatre as we know it was just beginning to develop and actors were not the idolised celebrities they are today.

Bernard Cornwell's descriptions and explanations bring the period to life in a way no history book can do. The play that is featured throughout the book is A Midsummer Night's Dream and I learnt more about the play and its subtly of meaning from this novel than I ever did from studying it at school.

I was left in no doubt that Bernard Cornwell is a Shakespear fan and has a deep love for and knowledge of the period.
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I can only imagine that some of his current fans may find this book too far a departure from his normal style for it to be to their taste but I'm sure there will be a whole new set of fans, like me, who did not enjoy the earlier books but are hoping that there are more like this in the pipeline.

tangled web of intrigue.

I have been a fan of Bernard Cornwell since reading my first Sharpe book as a teenager. I have read everything, eagerly awaiting each new book and devouring it within days of its release. So when I was offered the chance of an advance copy of Fools and Mortals – well – I jumped at it.

Fools and Mortals is a major departure for Bernard Cornwell. There are no world-changing battles as in the Sharpe and Last Kingdom books, no ancient legends such as in the King Arthur and Thomas of Hookton series; in fact, this book is all about pretend, following the antics of William Shakespeare’s younger brother as he tries to make his way as a player in Elizabethan England. And it is fascinating.
I know that not every Bernard Cornwell fan will be impressed by this new story; if they are only reading Cornwell for the blood-curdling action, they will be disappointed in this book. But if they read Cornwell because he is THE greatest storyteller, because he can transport you through time and space to a world that is recreated from history and his imagination, they will love this book.
I admit I was a little dubious at first, but once you start reading, it is – as usual with a Bernard Cornwell book – impossible to put down. It may be because this is not a war story, is not a crime thriller, and is a totally new departure for the author, that this story works so well. It proves just what an excellent wordsmith he is.

As has come to be expected with one of our greatest authors, the research is impeccable and interwoven in the story are many of the political concerns of the time, the opposition to theatres, the hunt for Catholics and their sympathisers, and even the constant need to impress the aging queen, Elizabeth I. However, Fools and Mortals is not a simple melodrama. There are many threads to the story, the development of professional theatre, love, intrigue, betrayal and sibling rivalry being just a few.

Everything about this book proves why Bernard Cornwell is one of the greatest storytellers of our generation. The writing is of his usual high standard, and keeps you engaged to the very end. The hero, if a complete contrast to Sharpe and Uhtred, is an engaging and entertaining protagonist, with whom the reader can readily invest their hopes and expectations of a great story. Richard Shakespeare is a young man, trying to find his role in life, whilst trying to survive medieval London and negotiate that age-old problem – a superstar older brother!

Any fan of Bernard Cornwell knows that he loves the theatre and the bestselling writer has put all his knowledge and passion into creating this amazing novel. It more than lives up to the high standards we have come to expect in all his work.

I couldn't put this book down. Thrilling from start to finish. Elizabethan era, Shakespeare's brother as the hero in a super tale of playhouses, espionage, theft and rightful revenge.

Really solid storyline with characters that you will love getting to know. Extremely descriptive writing style that depicts the world perfectly.

If you liked the film Shakespeare In Love, you’ll love this novel. For a full review go to tumblr https://joebloggshere.tumblr.com/post/175910564226/fools-and-mortals-by-bernard-cornwell-i-had-never

I truly love Mr Cornwell’s Writing, he have give us some truly fantistic stories and I always look forward to his next book. Fools and Mortals I did not enjoy though, it was not Mr Cornwall’s writing more what I enjoy reading. Fools and Mortals is well written and the characters well constructed. I am sure you would probably enjoy this story.

I loved reading the book - Fools and Mortals by Bernard Cornwell. Intitally I was hesitant, as I am not so interested in historical ficiton, however this was an incredibly book. Set during Elizabethan England, it tells the story of William Shakespeare´s brother - Richard and his struggles trying to find fame and fortune . It was dramatic and fun with wonderfully evocative imagery. I feel overjoyed to have read Richard´s story and I thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I am so disappointed to say that I didn’t enjoy this novel although I had expected to. It had everything going for it Elizabethan England, Shakespeare a good writer but it just didn’t click for me. So sorry. It was me not you!

I have just finished rereading Fools and Mortals and would like to change my review. At the time of the earlier reading it must have been when my mind was in a different place as on rereading I actually really enjoyed this novel of Shakespearean England. It was engaging and interesting and the Epilogue gave me so many new facts about Shakespeare. What I particularly enjoyed was the playing of Midsummers Night’s Dream which I have seen performed by the RSC and also acted in as an amateur.

Thank you for the opportunity to return to this novel.

Bernard Cornwell at his Masterful Best: read, learn and enjoy:
Bernard Cornwell's success as a writer of historical fiction is largely based on his ability to transport the reader effectively back in time to the subject matter of his book whilst maintaining the integrity of an excellent plot. Cornwell has that rare gift to convey even a sense of the smell and taste of the time in which his novels are based. He does this better than probably than any current living writer.
"Fools and Mortals" is an intelligent and informative novel with an exceptionally realistic plot. Written from the perspective of Richard Shakespeare, brother of William, this novel relates events leading up to the premiere of A Midsummer Night's Dream in the Winter of 1595. It is captivating, whilst at the same time providing the reader with the vivid reality of the London in which William Shakespeare lived, wrote and performed his plays. Indeed the Lord Chamberlain's Men (of which William Shakespeare was part) performed the work of many other playwrights whose work has sadly been lost to us. This is mainly the result of the victory of the Roundheads in the Civil War. The puritans then purged what they considered to be un-Christian works such as plays. We are, as Cornwell points out at the end of the novel, indebted to the production of the "First Folio" which preserved many of Shakespeare's plays for posterity. A world without Shakespeare is unimaginable to us now. What Cornwell does so well is to provide the reader with a glimpse into the age in which Shakespeare wrote and the political and religious pressures dramatists worked with. This is the first book that I've read since James Shapiro's "1599" to fully bring the period of the Bard to life. Bernard Cornwell also brings to the fore the value of the written play. Demand for dramas in the 1590's was insatiable and the better the quality the more they were worth. In 1595 it was not common for plays to be printed and sold. By doing so the writer effectively lost copyright. Instead a single Master hand-written copy was kept, under lock and key, by the Theatre Company. Shakespeare's plays were worth a tidy sum and of value to rival Theatre Companies. This factor is to play a pivotal rôle in the plot.
A great plot with brilliant flowing prose, containing delightful excerpts from Shakespeare's plays, this novel deserves every success it will no doubt have. A great book by a great writer.

Unfortunately this was just not my cup of tea. I have wanted to read Bernard Cornwell for quite some time, as the premises of the books have always intrigued me. Unfortunately, though, I was left a little disappointed. At least I now know.

I did however appreciate the world of theatre and the places it took people (and still takes people today). I had butterflies reading how enthralled and engrossed the audience were. As well as leaving me with a renewed appreciation of the art that the playwrights, players, and background staff share with us in the name of entertainment.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a review copy.

Having read a few of Bernard Cornwell ‘s earlier books this Is a complete departure from what has gone before. That is no bad thing in general but may leave fans puzzled.

It still made me read until the end but his love of Shakespeare is not mine. Having said that, his love for his subject does shine through - as his love for battles and history does in his other books.

When you get the chance to read the latest Bernard Cornwell your initial response should be 'OH yes PLEASE!'.

Cornwell is a master storyteller and this time he takes us to the Elizabethan era where traveling theater groups settle down and start their own theaters. 'Fools and Mortals' follows the rivalry between the brothers Shakespeare.

Full of details, it sucks you in and at the end it spits you out as an expert on Elizabethan theater.

BRAVA!

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins for offering the chance to read and review this book

This the first book have read by Bernard Cornwell and I enjoyed it from start to finish. I it interesting how the story was told through Shakepeare’s different plays.

Definitely a book for Shakespeare and historical fiction fans.

I am a huge fan of Bernard Cornwall because he is such an accomplished writer of so many genres. However, I am a huge fan of historical fiction, a genre that Mr. Cornwall excels at. Fools and Mortals has a slightly different from his other books but I'm not complaining. I think to be able to change and subvert your writing style successfully, for example, like Hilary Mantel, is a huge achievement. The setting is Shakespearean England, indeed, Shakespeare himself is a character but it's his brother Richard who is allowed to tell his story.
In its way, Fools and Mortals is a tale about the complex arena of sibling psychology and how our placing in the sibling line can form us in a certain way.

Richard is a great actor but he's fed up with playing women and wants his own male defining role. His brother, William, who is a prolific and celebrated writer but not the best-loved, is very hard on him. The rivalry between theatre companies is fierce and some of them will employ any means necessary to 'buy' the best actors or 'appropriate' the best plays.

Richard's unhappiness is well-known and he is approached by a rival company with offers of great parts and posterity and the novel uses his momentary weakness as a clever device to show that creative egos are fragile and how sibling love can turn so toxic.

There were many fascinating aspects of this story but I particularly loved 'being' part of the unveiling and casting of a Midsummers Night's Dream. Having studied it I had never thought of it as a modern piece but, of course, it would have been quite breathtaking to Elizabethan London.

Really enjoyed this book and thoroughly recommend it.

I am a big fan of Bernard Cornwell and this book did not disappoint even though it was a deviation from the usual. Based in Elizabethan times it centres around William Shakespeare’s brother, Richard during a time when the theatre scene is evolving and it covers the first performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.

Richard does not portray his brother in a positive light but as the hero, himself doesn’t appear too sympathetic. The development of relationships throughout the story is well handled including the love interest for Richard and the sibling rivalry with his brother.

Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, Bernard Cornwell for the ARC of ‘Fools and Mortals’ in return for my honest review.

Enjoyable and recommended.

From Netgalley as an ebook, this is from the author of the Sharpe series of books, which I haven't read (but have been known to watch the adaptations when they come on the TV, if that counts for anything).

So this is a departure from his normal work, in him writing about the playhouses starting up in the time of Queen Elizabeth 1 and William Shakespeare. It is told from the standpoint of Richard, William's younger brother. Richard is already a member of the playhouse, and whilst playing the parts of women, he is getting a little too old to do so, and is desperate to get “men’s parts”. It is precarious work – they don’t get paid to rehearse, only to actually perform in a play, of which new ones are few and far between.

Those that can read and write can earn a little more money, by copying out actor’s lines or being the “bookman”, prompting the performers during rehearsals.

With new Playhouses and groups being set up almost weekly and demand for entertainment ongoing, competition for new material is constant, with some groups resorting to stealing other group's works if they dont have a writer to create their own work.

We get to find out what living in this kind of London is like – trying to find somewhere to stay if you miss curfew; literally living hand to mouth because you haven’t been paid that week; your work and home being raided on a regular basis by the heavy handed state gangs looking for priests and seditious materials – it has long been believed that the Shakespeare family are heretical Catholics, and people are desperate to find some kind of proof. The story is framed by the completion and staging of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” for the wedding of the Lord Chamberlain’s daughter. The competition for parts, the learning of lines, what happens when things get “confiscated” by competing playhouses. There is intrigue, fighting, plotting and ever changing politics that most groundlings are unaware of.

Meanwhile, told in flashback is how Richard came to be in London - Being rather older, William has already left the family home and gone to London by the time Richard is old enough to get an apprenticeship, something that does not work out well. Richard escapes and goes looking for his brother who places Richard with Sir Godfrey Cullen. It is here that Richard learns most of his life lessons, including how to act, put on a performance and sword fight and most importantly – how to steal. Whether the William of the book or the actual William knew that being in Sir Godfrey’s “care” means that he was one of many who got prostituted out as part of St Benet’s Choir, we don't know.  Richard's skills in thieving, as well as the other stuff he's learnt since coming to London, helps both himself and the group (as well as his relationship with William) when things go missing.

Because of Cornwell’s previous books, I suspect people would be a let down if there wasn’t a little sword play and fighting throughout the book, and there are several scenes included, which I hope makes some fans happy.

This is not my usual era of history - I tend to read Tudor or Regency - so this was an interesting change in tone. The difference between the rich and the poor; actors living hand to mouth, whilst performing to the groundlings and the Queen; the need to please the crowd whose tastes could be simple (bit of dancing, some fighting, some singing, some rude jokes); all combined with th pressure of finding or writing new work.

So this is not quite a Ripping Yarn, but a detailed story of a fraught time in English history, that is well worth reading and rather entertaining.

This is the story of the beginnings of the theatre, started because Queen Elizabeth I loved plays and dancing and fun. Richard, the younger brother of William Shakespeare runs away to London to join his brother with dreams of a starry future as a great actor with silver in his pocket. But it all falls to ruins as he is gets caught up in deadly intrigues and betrayals when he comes under suspicion for the theft of William's manuscripts. I have been a huge fan of Bernard Cornwall's books - from Sharpe to his sea adventures to Utred and his history of the Battle of Waterloo too but this one never seemed to find his heart. I have found it hard to get into mainly because the character of Richard is simply not likeable. I kept hoping that Richard would turn into a really nice person, or do something nice that i could start to warm to him and frankly care what happens to him but I have not found that to be the case. I am disappointed.

I was really looking forward to reading this have enjoyed the Grail Quest series and other standalone books by the author. Sadly the writing style didn't engage me and I ended up abandoning the book.