The Hartlepool Monkey

by Sean Longley

This historical romp, a witty digest of all things eighteenth-century, is based on the folk tale of the monkey found in a French naval uniform in Hartlepool after the Napoleonic Wars, and hanged as an enemy spy.

Genres: Historical Fiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2008

Reviews

[Rebecca Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was a refreshing read. I really enjoyed the author's humour, and imagine the protagonist Dr Simon Legris as a sort of Blackadder figure, getting himself into and out of scrapes, narrowly escaping death and inadvertently causing a train of events that concludes with the (apparently true) monkey hanging in Hartlepool. The majority of the book is written from his perspective, so I was at first disappointed when other narrative voices were introduced, because I liked him. But they served a purpose, and I enjoyed their perspectives too.

The author knows his stuff, having studied History and being a lawyer, so the backdrop of the French revolution and the courtroom elements rang true. I liked that amidst the witty, tongue-in-cheek humour, there were moments of real poignancy and I found myself reflecting on the nature of humanity and man's foolishness. My goodness people can be stupid.

I'm also lucky enough to have a personalised, signed copy in which Mr Longley hopes I enjoy his book. I did immensely, and I look forward to the next!

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a bit in two minds about this book. Largely, I enjoyed this retelling of the true story of the monkey who was hanged as a spy, in Hartlepool during the Napoleonic Wars. The book had three narrators: the doctor who 'adopted' the monkey; the courtesan whom the doctor loved; and Warren, the one guinea brief who defended Jacques the monkey in court.

It was full of charming and idiosyncratic detail. But this led to the book being longer than perhaps was justified. The monkey also learnt to talk, and this improbable detail let the story down for me, quite considerably. Yes, this was an enjoyable book, but not one I'd wholeheartedly recommend.

[Chris Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only picked the book up because of the tale and wasnt expecting much. To my suprise this was a wonderful read. Clever and intelligent it is told in the style you would expect of that time period. It really makes you think and when each of the sections ends you miss the person who was telling you story only to find you enjoy the next persons account the same. I felt for all the four main characters (including the monkey!). An excellent read and at the end the way all the characters are interwoven is a joy to behold.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really don't know what to make of this as it was just rather strange. It's a fictionalised rendition of an actual event in history. Yes, the Hartlepudlians really did hang a monkey! It's something that just beggars belief really but I wasn't too sure about the actual novel. There were some witty lines but I also found historical inaccuracies and I found it hard to stomach the presentation of Admiral Nelson as a perverted rapist. It may be true so I'm going to have to find a biography of him. Because of the strangeness of the novel, I don't feel I can award more than 2 stars.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Very strange story. Points I really enjoyed and some that I most certainly did not. Eh.

[Lorraine Jamrs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real treat to the senses

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mixed read, enjoyable and witty in parts, rather perverted and foul in others, and plain odd at times. I struggle thru to the end but as an overall read, I wouldn't recommend it.