Review by Carlung Book Group
At our last meeting, we chose to discuss Marie MacPherson's 'First Blast of The Trumpet' described as 'a novel of the birth of the Scottish Reformation', which depicts the early life of John Knox, and those, particularly within the Church and the nobility, who had influence on Knox's developing strong and dangerous views. This is the first of the 'Knox Trilogy'.
Our group loved this book! This is no dry and dusty history of 16th century Scotland, rather it is a riveting and colourful historical novel, which brings real and fictional characters to life in the author's fascinating, and detailed depiction of violent and corrupt times.The research and scholarship which has underpinned the story is detailed and impressive. In our view, the use of the Scots language often used in interchanges among the characters, enriches the novel and emphasises the context.
We particularly liked the structure of the chapters which are short and clearly pinned to time and place, holding the attention, and never losing the reader.The brief verse at the beginning of each chapter is an added luxury, which belies the even greater research and knowledge required to produce the verse of Scotland in the 16th century.
The story never wanders off focus or 'loses' the reader and imaginatively evokes the religious hypocrisy, the smells, the squalor, the violence and the superstitions of the time. It is a very exciting novel and a great read!
We look forward to the second and third novels in the trilogy, and in the meantime, highly recommend this first book.
The Carlung Book Group
The First Blast of the Trumpet
Our group loved this book! This is no dry and dusty history of 16th century Scotland, rather it is a riveting and colourful historical novel, which brings real and fictional characters to life in the author's fascinating, and detailed depiction of violent and corrupt times.The research and scholarship which has underpinned the story is detailed and impressive. In our view, the use of the Scots language often used in interchanges among the characters, enriches the novel and emphasises the context.
We particularly liked the structure of the chapters which are short and clearly pinned to time and place, holding the attention, and never losing the reader.The brief verse at the beginning of each chapter is an added luxury, which belies the even greater research and knowledge required to produce the verse of Scotland in the 16th century.
The story never wanders off focus or 'loses' the reader and imaginatively evokes the religious hypocrisy, the smells, the squalor, the violence and the superstitions of the time. It is a very exciting novel and a great read!
We look forward to the second and third novels in the trilogy, and in the meantime, highly recommend this first book.
The Carlung Book Group
The First Blast of the Trumpet
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