This was an interesting book, but I also found it very slow going to get through it. The concept is solid, but the execution had some challenges for me. While I'm not especially offended by profanity, the amount in this book is significant, and seemed excessive. I have been fascinated with the Tudor period for over 4 decades, so the subject matter was of interest to me, and the book did make me think about an alternate version of history, but is likely not something that a general audience would enjoy - it's best suited for those obsessed with this time period. I appreciate the free e-copy in exchange for an honest review of the book.

This is such a sad, but very well told story of a child who never truly understands his role in a world where trying to seize power from others is everything. I definitely think the biggest thing to know before going into this story is this isn't for people who know absolutely nothing about English history, especially the Tudors. You definitely need some background and understanding of the politics of the time and the major players. Otherwise, this book does such a great job of vividly bringing you back into history and makes you feel something for real people of the past. Sometimes, when you read these types of books, it's from a very detached standpoint, but this really makes you feel in the story and of the time. I feel like these is one of the books that you won't necessarily enjoy because of how sad it is, but you'll get something out of it.

The Pretender
By Jo Harkin

This is the time of the Wars of the Roses. The Yorkists and the Plantagenets have struggled for the throne of England. As the story begins, a young boy, John Collan, is being raised as the youngest son on a farm far away from the intrigues and battlefields. Richard III, has supposedly murdered the sons off his deceased brother, King Edward, and taken the throne for himself. But another threat in the person of Henry Tudor is invading in order to overthrow Richard and claim the throne.

One day, John is spirited off to play the pawn. He is told that he really is the son of George, Duke of Clarence, Richard's brother. He has been hidden away since birth to keep him out of harm's way. John goes through many transformations, ultimately ending up as Edward, Earl of Warwick, at the court of Burgundy. His Aunt Margaret, a Plantagenet, rules here, and she grooms him to become the rightful King of England. The naïve boy is sent back to Ireland to play a role in this game of politics.

But Henry Tudor is on the throne and he is a paranoid and vicious man who will protect his position at all costs. As history tells us, Edward falls into Henry's hands. He is imprisoned in the Tower of London, where he remains for 14 years. At Henry's order, he is beheaded at the age of 24, the last of the challengers for the crown.

This is a sad book. John never quite understands his role in all this, but tries his best to do the right thing and to win God's approval. He proves to be quite the scholar – his dreams of sailing the world and writing about his travels never reach fruition. Instead his life is forfeit through no fault of his own. The author obviously pitied this young man who ended up on the wrong side of history.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

gosh, i have so many things i could say about this book. i’ve needed time to parse out what i think and how i feel about this book before writing a review.

i received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, so thanks to them and the publisher, Knopf, for sending me this copy in exchange for a review. i can honestly say when i requested this ARC, i was not prepared to love this book as much as i do.

it’s a longer read and the writing takes getting used to, since the writing style lends itself to historical accuracy. don’t let that intimidate you because the book is hilarious and follows the story of a young boy who learns he is a secret heir to the English crown following the War of the Roses and with Henry VII as King. the main character, who is a young child for most of the book (we follow him from the time he’s 8 til he’s a young adult), is considered a political threat despite having no idea what’s really going on at any given time.

we watch this character grow from a young, genuine child to someone who has been hardened by the adults around him who have conspired for and against him. we watch him fall in love and go through heartbreak, we watch and feel the betrayal he feels when adults in his life prove their untrustworthiness, and even when he’s making morally wrong decisions, it’s hard not to root for him.

this book does a great job poking fun at the British monarchy and the wealthy lords and ladies that uphold the diabolical and dysfunctional political system. there’s a lot of parallels to politicians today that feel more relatable than a book set in the 15th century (where leaders kill children and wage endless wars) should.

definitely add this one to your TBR.

The Pretender fills a hole that Hilary Mantel left--it's a slow burn of a novel, but thoroughly enjoyable when you don't want to think too hard but also want to enjoy something.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Beyond my expectations, genuinely funny, heartbreakingly tender. Requested this given its comp to Maggie O’Farrell’s historical fiction and because my Roman Empire is the Tudors / I’ve been too intimidated to pick up Wolf Hall. The Pretender is set in the aftermath of the War of the Roses, an English crisis of succession resulting in civil war/extensive shifting of noble alliances, as paranoid Henry VII becomes the first Tudor king. But old factions still vie for power, as poor John Collan, a son in a peasant village is plucked from his existence and heralded as the switched at birth, true Earl of Warwick with real claim to the English throne. As he tumbles through identities, John questions what it means to have his whole identity forfeit and what it means to build a life when everything you knew was a lie.

Things I loved: the humor! I’m easily cringed out by humor but the comedy was great, reflective of the jesting Decameron but contemporary enough to be accessible without feeling immersion-breaking. The characters! Joan and Simnel and their tender, juvenile, cruel, competitive joust of a relationship. The ache of not knowing yourself! Through John’s journey across identities as he is battered by the political forces of this world, we understand what it means to build personal meaning and belonging, meditations on capital G God/atheism, how do we write history both national and our own, how we chase the wrong things, how we belong, how we love. I’m doing a disservice to the way Harkin presents these but the last few chapters hit me like a freight train.

The Pretender took me by surprise after a months-long drought of ok reads so maybe that’s why it struck so hard (or maybe it was the perfect crossroads of my interests) but I’d assert it an underrated fav! This needed more fanfare! Will likely pick up Hamnet to see how the vibes compare but if you wished O’Farrell was a little more funny, I’d pick this one up.

The premise of this was absolutely fascinating, and the author executed it so well. To take a character that is a footnote in history, and create a fully fleshed life for them was no small feat. The writing was witty and nuanced. If you like historical fiction, especially medieval historical fiction, this book is fantastic.

John Collan is a peasant boy, living a very simple life, when one day some well dressed strangers show up on horseback. He discovers that he is not John Collan, but Lambert Simnel, rightfully heir to the throne.

What I liked:

- The historical setting
- The author’s unique take on the often overlooked part of history
- The historical accuracy

What I didn’t enjoy:

- The emotional disconnect; it was hard to connect with the characters and much of it just felt like explanations rather than immersing the reader in the emotions
- The writing style overall was challenging
- The pacing was slow, with lots of unnecessary detail, especially in the middle.
- The overwhelming cast of characters in the book

I struggled with this book with the way they spoke. I know it was historically correct but it made it difficult for me to read and enjoy the story.

This was such an interesting story--not quite what I expected, but a fascinating read nonetheless! We follow the reimagined life of Lambert Simnel, and what an interesting life this was. I love the historical fiction setting and how much research and focus on detail it seemed like Harkin put into the setting and narrative. The writing style was also somewhat unique and executed beautifully, Harkin clearly has strong prose and knows how to write! It took me a second to really get into this story, but once I did I found myself really captivated by our protagonist and his journey. Highly recommended for historical fiction fans!

I loved this book and story of a young boy who is heir to the throne, hidden at birth in the 1400's. A sweeping historical fiction novel, it is excellently written, with engaging characters told from the boy's POV, we are taken on the journey along side him. It is highly entertaining and all the lovers of good historical fiction need to read it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of The Pretender by Jo Harkin in exchange for an honest review. It’s out now so you can go get it!

The Pretender is loosely based on a historical footnote during the reign of King Henry VII in England during which several Yorkist pretenders to the throne attempt to wrest control back from the new Tudor dynasty. One of these, the supposed hidden Earl Edward of York, is hidden as a baby on a farm and in late boyhood is taken away to be educated and used by his superiors who want him on the throne for their own purposed. In turn, the chapters follow the boy through these various guises.

Anyone who has studied British history knows that the plan doesn’t work; the heir to Henry VII isn’t Edward. But the novel is about more than the history: we meet farmers, soldiers, nobles, servants and more, seeing their lives through the eyes of the pretender. The writing is engaging, entertaining and smart. My only complaint is that the story could have been told in about half the number of pages. That said, I’m glad I stuck with it and will be looking for more from this author. Four stars. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of The Pretender by Jo Harkin in exchange for an honest review. It’s out now so you can go get it!

The Pretender is loosely based on a historical footnote during the reign of King Henry VII in England during which several Yorkist pretenders to the throne attempt to wrest control back from the new Tudor dynasty. One of these, the supposed Edward of York, is hidden as a baby on a farm and in late boyhood is taken away to be educated and used by his superiors who want him on the throne for their own purposed. In turn, the chapters follow the boy through these various guises.

Anyone who has studied British history knows that the plan doesn’t work; the heir to Henry VII isn’t Edward. But the novel is about more than the history: we meet farmers, soldiers, nobles, servants and more, seeing their lives through the eyes of the supposed Edward. The writing is engaging, entertaining and smart. My only complaint is that the story could have been told in about half the number of pages. That said, I’m glad I stuck with it and will be looking for more from this author. Four stars.

I thought the subject matter of this book was interesting and wanted to like it more than I did. It was a little slow and ultimately not for me. i think it is a book that many people will like so I will continue to suggest it to our patrons at the library who enjoy historical fiction set in the Tudor time. Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy.

A fascinating concept that gets slightly lost in the details. Names and places started to blend but if you look past some of the nitty gritty, you get a glimpse into a moment in time that seems lost to history.

I'm very glad I gave this book another try because it was marvelous. Harkin does a phenomenal job taking an obscure historical figure and bringing him back to life with The Pretender. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

Very interesting novel that I was thoroughly invested in. I think this is a good introduction to the time period and I really loved Harkin's writing style. Will definitely recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the ARC!

Jo Harkin’s "The Pretender" is a fascinating piece of historical fiction that can’t quite manage its narrative ambitions or tonal swings.

Inspired by the kind of rich, under-explored historical footnote that is perfect for the genre, "The Pretender," set in the late 1400s, follows a peasant boy named John Collan who suddenly learns that he is royalty and in line for the crown. Or is he? Throughout his life, he is given different names, held up as an icon, and pulled in countless directions as he double-crosses his way through different factions in order to stay alive.

Thematically, Harkin gets at something interesting here—what does it even mean to be a self when one’s self is constantly redefined for others’ purposes? Who is Simnel outside of a weapon? In a political climate where vulnerable people are constantly used as tokens, it’s resonant to see an author attempt to examine the impact that has on an individual, even if Harkin never quite pulls it off.

A solid chunk of the book is defined by anachronistic bawdiness reminiscent of media like Hulu’s "The Great." It might seem odd to mention a TV show here, but Harkin’s writing has a similarly glossy sheen, often seemingly desperate to prove that history can be interesting and worth reading because people were a little naughty back then. If you’ve ever seen a Shakespeare play that tries to make the material accessible by stressing how horny and funny it is, you’ll understand the reductionism at play here. Additionally, many of these scenes linger a little too long on young teenagers, and they feel fetishizing rather than like a natural exploration of clumsy, burgeoning sexuality.

The ultimate problem, however, is that "The Pretender" isn’t nearly as clever as it thinks it is. Aside from the aforementioned issues, Harkin peppers her writing with so much archaic language that it feels confused rather than authentic—like when someone has learned a new word and wants to fit it into every conversation. Similarly, there are some truly insufferable suggestions of winking self-awareness that mask a goofy self-importance. For example, Simnel reflects on what people will say about him in 1,000 years, and a character encourages him to “write his story.” Maybe it wouldn't feel trite in a better book, but it's embarrassing to read here.

Narratively, the book just can’t sustain its nearly 500-page runtime. After countless, leering sex scenes and penis jokes, it’s more than a little difficult to stick with Harkin when she tries to depict Simnel’s journey from farm boy innocence to bloodthirsty corruption. It reads less like escalating stakes and more like a desperate bid for readers to take the book seriously about halfway through. It’s the kind of change that might work in a series of books, but its execution feels incoherent here.

By trying to be so many things, the book ends up being, well, not much of anything.

Perhaps it's fitting that "The Pretender" struggles to find an identity, but I’m not sure it’s a struggle that's worth participating in.

Who was Lambert Simnel? In Jo Harkin‘s new novel, you will witness a humble 15th century peasant boy transform when his supposed nobility is revealed. He will be given various identities over the years, not through his own choice, and his innocence will be shed just as blood is.

Harkin richly imagined a fictional history for the pretender - one that is humorously entertaining, absorbing, and tragic. Despite its long length, this novel never failed to keep me enthralled.

I am immensely grateful to Knopf and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.

I love historical fiction, and especially stories about Great Britain. The whole royal saga from the time when the Tudors came to the throne has so much drama. It also has had a lot written about that time, as well as movies. This book was a delight!! I recommend it to anyone who can read! I didn't think there could be another view of this time, but this author has found it. It's a story of a young man at the time when Henry VII was King, and there was such political intrigue. It is told in the voice of a young man who is the Pretender. You follow him from age 10 to about 20. He is a pawn among the nobles who want to control the English throne. It's bawdy in language and atmosphere! Such a delight! He has a young woman who has such a crush on and she is very politically savvy. So, she tells him what to do and he follows whatever she says. If you like historical fiction, put this one on your list!

I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to read this book as an Advanced Reader Copy on NetGalley. From the very first page, I was transported into a meticulously crafted historical world that truly captivated me. The author's attention to detail in depicting the setting not only drew me into the narrative but also enriched my understanding of the time period in which the story unfolds.

The imagery throughout the novel was exceptionally vivid, allowing me to visualize every scene as if I were experiencing it firsthand. Whether it was the bustling marketplaces, the quiet villages, or the grandeur of historical events, each setting was brought to life with such clarity. Even as the story shifted through various scenic changes and navigated different passages in time, I found that the transitions were seamless and engaging.

As I read, I often found myself laughing out loud, completely immersed in the characters' witty exchanges and humorous situations. I couldn't help but highlight countless passages that resonated with me, each one adding to my enjoyment of the story. The characters were exceptionally well-developed, each with their own complexities and depth. Their relationships, filled with intrigue and emotional nuance, added layers to the narrative that kept me invested in their journeys.

This novel is a delightful blend of humor and historical fiction, making it a compelling read. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking a lively and engaging historical fiction filled with unexpected twists and plenty of laughter. The experience of reading this book was truly a joy, and I am thankful to have had the chance to explore its pages.