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Mad Blood Stirring
1815: The war is over but for the inmates at Dartmoor Prison, peace - like home - is still a long way away.
On the eve of the year 1815, the American sailors of the Eagle finally arrive at Dartmoor prison; bedraggled, exhausted but burning with hope. They’ve only had one thing to sustain them – a snatched whisper overheard along the way.
The war is over.
Joe Hill thought he’d left the war outside these walls but it’s quickly clear that there’s a different type of fight to be had within. The seven prison blocks surrounding him have been segregated; six white and one black. As his voice rings out across the courtyard, announcing the peace, the redcoat guards bristle and the inmates stir. The powder keg was already fixed to blow and Joe has just lit the fuse.
Elizabeth Shortland, wife of the Governor looks down at the swirling crowd from the window of her own personal prison. The peace means the end is near, that she needn’t be here for ever. But suddenly, she cannot bear the thought of leaving.
Inspired by a true story, Mad Blood Stirring tells of a few frantic months in the suffocating atmosphere of a prison awaiting liberation. It is a story of hope and freedom, of loss and suffering. It is a story about how sometimes, in our darkest hour, it can be the most unlikely of things that see us through.
On the eve of the year 1815, the American sailors of the Eagle finally arrive at Dartmoor prison; bedraggled, exhausted but burning with hope. They’ve only had one thing to sustain them – a snatched whisper overheard along the way.
The war is over.
Joe Hill thought he’d left the war outside these walls but it’s quickly clear that there’s a different type of fight to be had within. The seven prison blocks surrounding him have been segregated; six white and one black. As his voice rings out across the courtyard, announcing the peace, the redcoat guards bristle and the inmates stir. The powder keg was already fixed to blow and Joe has just lit the fuse.
Elizabeth Shortland, wife of the Governor looks down at the swirling crowd from the window of her own personal prison. The peace means the end is near, that she needn’t be here for ever. But suddenly, she cannot bear the thought of leaving.
Inspired by a true story, Mad Blood Stirring tells of a few frantic months in the suffocating atmosphere of a prison awaiting liberation. It is a story of hope and freedom, of loss and suffering. It is a story about how sometimes, in our darkest hour, it can be the most unlikely of things that see us through.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2018
113 people are currently reading
754 people want to read
About the author
Simon Mayo
25 books213 followersSimon started work in Hospital radio and later became a Dj on BBC radio 1 and later on BBC radio 2.
His series 'Itch' is closely related to best selling series such as Alex Rider & Jason Steed. Also written by British authors.
Simon was recognised as the Radio Broadcaster of the Year at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards in 2008, and has won several Sony Awards for his work in radio.
His series 'Itch' is closely related to best selling series such as Alex Rider & Jason Steed. Also written by British authors.
Simon was recognised as the Radio Broadcaster of the Year at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards in 2008, and has won several Sony Awards for his work in radio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
November 5, 2023
In brief - I have mixed feelings about this book. Bits I really enjoyed. It is well created from historic research. Some of the characters were very good. Bits didn't work that well for me. Certainly a 3 star book, maybe 3.5.
In full
Being a Devon resident and a Dartmoor walker I've seen Dartmoor prison in all seasons and weathers and this book appealed. In Mad Blood Stirring a new group of American prisoners are marched up to the prison on New Year's Eve 1814. They are 12 crew from the Eagle who have heard that the war is over. The around 7000 existing prisoners are very interested in this news and want to know when they are going home. This is Act 1.
As with all such things the reality is less simple than the ideal and prisoners will not be released until everything is ratified by everyone. There is a power keg and a match around.. However it is quickly clear that that was the case before the men of the Eagle arrived. There are seven blocks in the prison each holding around a 1000 men. Six of the blocks are white only and the seventh is for coloured folk. Throw in the fact that the British seem happy to rub in the fact that they are in charge and it is clear anything could happen.
It did take me a while to get my head around the various story lines in use here. The first part of the book felt quite hard going at times and I had to keep reminding myself who was who from the "cast of characters" at the start. One of the main threads is that block 4 - the coloured block - has a theatre company. The leader of the block, King Dick, wants to put on one last show before they are released. It is to be Romeo and Juliet and one of the one member's of the Eagle's crew - a white man - becomes involved in it.
As time went by the more I read the more I wanted to read. There are good characters and good dialogue in this book. Of note King Dick is excellent, a genuinely "larger than life" character. The prison itself and Dartmoor are used effectively. Other characters are good too however the main ones are Joe (Juliet) and Habs (Romeo). The developing relationship becomes more and more interesting. This is at a time when any interactions between men are considered an abomination. The book winds up to what will obviously be a very dramatic end with considerable pace.
There are many things to like about this book. The book is well researched and weaves together an interesting tale around that. The inventiveness here deserves much credit. In passing there is a good bibliography at the end. The writing makes the dark and bleak setting very vivid. It is worth noting that issues of colour are dealt in an appropriate way for the era but in a way which would be offensive in current times. The issue of male relationships both inside and out of prison is part of this story too. My reservation here is that the Romeo and Juliet drama became rather too dramatic for me I think. A good historical novel that will appeal to many I am sure.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
In full
Being a Devon resident and a Dartmoor walker I've seen Dartmoor prison in all seasons and weathers and this book appealed. In Mad Blood Stirring a new group of American prisoners are marched up to the prison on New Year's Eve 1814. They are 12 crew from the Eagle who have heard that the war is over. The around 7000 existing prisoners are very interested in this news and want to know when they are going home. This is Act 1.
As with all such things the reality is less simple than the ideal and prisoners will not be released until everything is ratified by everyone. There is a power keg and a match around.. However it is quickly clear that that was the case before the men of the Eagle arrived. There are seven blocks in the prison each holding around a 1000 men. Six of the blocks are white only and the seventh is for coloured folk. Throw in the fact that the British seem happy to rub in the fact that they are in charge and it is clear anything could happen.
It did take me a while to get my head around the various story lines in use here. The first part of the book felt quite hard going at times and I had to keep reminding myself who was who from the "cast of characters" at the start. One of the main threads is that block 4 - the coloured block - has a theatre company. The leader of the block, King Dick, wants to put on one last show before they are released. It is to be Romeo and Juliet and one of the one member's of the Eagle's crew - a white man - becomes involved in it.
As time went by the more I read the more I wanted to read. There are good characters and good dialogue in this book. Of note King Dick is excellent, a genuinely "larger than life" character. The prison itself and Dartmoor are used effectively. Other characters are good too however the main ones are Joe (Juliet) and Habs (Romeo). The developing relationship becomes more and more interesting. This is at a time when any interactions between men are considered an abomination. The book winds up to what will obviously be a very dramatic end with considerable pace.
There are many things to like about this book. The book is well researched and weaves together an interesting tale around that. The inventiveness here deserves much credit. In passing there is a good bibliography at the end. The writing makes the dark and bleak setting very vivid. It is worth noting that issues of colour are dealt in an appropriate way for the era but in a way which would be offensive in current times. The issue of male relationships both inside and out of prison is part of this story too. My reservation here is that the Romeo and Juliet drama became rather too dramatic for me I think. A good historical novel that will appeal to many I am sure.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
September 24, 2018
Great historical fiction in the little known setting of Dartmoor Prison in 1815 which is full of thousands of American POWs.
We begin the story with one new shipment of POWs announcing that peace has been signed! But due to the time to take the treaties between the countries and the ensuing political scramble about who pays for the prisoners to return home, they are all stuck in the prison and emotions run high.
Along side this main plot, are the stories of Habs and Joe Hill. Two unlikely friends who find themselves thrown into a Shakespeare play - designed by the self appointed ruler of the block - the formidable prisoner “King Dick”- to keep the inmates of Block Four occupied while waiting. There is also the overarching racism between the segregation of the African American prisoners in Block 4 and the rest of the population, and the relationship between the Englishman running the prison, his wife, and her lover.
The story-lines tangle and weave, but never become boring or confusing. I think the character development was fantastic and the feel of the prison and the tension was conveyed really well.
I had a great time reading about a piece of history I knew nothing about (and from the Author's note, it seems that not many do!) and I would recommend it to HF fans.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
We begin the story with one new shipment of POWs announcing that peace has been signed! But due to the time to take the treaties between the countries and the ensuing political scramble about who pays for the prisoners to return home, they are all stuck in the prison and emotions run high.
Along side this main plot, are the stories of Habs and Joe Hill. Two unlikely friends who find themselves thrown into a Shakespeare play - designed by the self appointed ruler of the block - the formidable prisoner “King Dick”- to keep the inmates of Block Four occupied while waiting. There is also the overarching racism between the segregation of the African American prisoners in Block 4 and the rest of the population, and the relationship between the Englishman running the prison, his wife, and her lover.
The story-lines tangle and weave, but never become boring or confusing. I think the character development was fantastic and the feel of the prison and the tension was conveyed really well.
I had a great time reading about a piece of history I knew nothing about (and from the Author's note, it seems that not many do!) and I would recommend it to HF fans.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2019
Simon Mayo is one of England’s most well-known broadcasters who began a writing career six years ago with a bestselling children’s trilogy. The radio disc jockey first attempt at adult fiction is his new book, MAD BLOOD STIRRING set at the conclusion of the War of 1812, a war that lasted three years and for many historians is considered America’s second war for independence. The book begins as the captured crew from the American ship, Eagle is marched to the notorious English prison, Dartmoor. Once inside the prison, the sailors led by Joe Hill interrupt a boxing match were a black boxer, on the verge of winning his match is beaten with a wooden plank. As the match ends Hill announces to the hundreds in attendance that the United States and Britain have signed a peace treaty and the war is over. The response from a group of black prisoners named Habakkuk (Habs) Snow, Ned Penny, and Sam Snow who were taken from their ship, the Bentham, eighteen months before is one of skepticism and disbelief.
Dartmoor housed over 6000 American prisoners during the War of 1812 of which there were roughly 1000 black sailors. Using the captured sailors as his main characters, Mayo has written a five act play that somewhat mirrors a Shakespearian tragedy. The core of the story revolves around the life of American prisoners of war seized by the British during the fighting. With the conflict over, the POW’S where be released, however, the American Congress needed to ratify the Treaty of Ghent as the British Parliament had. During the interim the prisoner’s life would continue in the seven cell blocks that made up the prison as they had for the previous eighteen months. Murder, physical attacks, nasty personal confrontation, poor food, little freedom, and of course segregation of whites from blacks was the order of the day. Block number four housed the black prisoner population and was led by a former Maryland slave who was six feet eight and commanded great respect. King Dick, whose real name was Richard Craftus ran a tight ship, but had a soft spot for Shakespeare and his men.
There is a high degree of historical accuracy in Mayo’s presentation. Block four did stage Shakespearean productions, including Romeo and Juliet, the signing of the Treaty of Ghent did not produce the immediate release of the prisoners, and the hostility between rival prisoner groups did explode into violent bloodshed. Mayo builds upon the historical backdrop to produce a novel that that wreaks of loyalty, doomed love, and a series of dashed dreams. The themes are numerous from British haughtiness, blatant racism, the role of theater in assisting prisoners to deal with their daily plight, the fear of smallpox, human relationships, and the daily monotony of prison life.
Mayo has created an interesting template for his novel juxtaposing a theater group of black prisoners performing Shakespeare as a major construction for the story, that can be considered its own play. The constant references to the Bard, be it Othello and other plays and the rehearsals for Romeo and Juliet within the confines of Dartmoor is surprising and it seems to carry much weight throughout the novel.
The most important relationship that emerges from the story is that of Joe Hill, the sixteen-year-old white sailor and that of Habs Snow, a black prisoner. Their friendship is a testimony to their survival and its greatest test revolves around a kiss that takes place in a scene from Romeo and Juliet as Hill portrays Juliet, and Habs plays Romeo. It is a test of the mores that exist in the prison but also in society at large. There are other sideshows to the main plot; the affair between Dr. George Magrath, the prison physician and the wife of the prison commander Captain Thomas Shortland; the actions of Horace Cobb and Edwin Lane two members of the “Rough Allies,” a thuggish gang that despises black prisoners as much as they do the British; in addition to many others that exist throughout Dartmoor’s seven cell blocks.
The story culminates with a nasty prison riot that upends several important relationships and leads one to believe that Mayo has written a novel that should be the basis for a film script. The book could be enhanced with greater character development and depth of story, but it is a satisfying yarn, that should attract the reader’s interest as Mayo brings his plot to conclusion with several twists and turns. If the book is turned into a movie script, a a good production staff can enhance the storyline and create a moving experience for a possible viewership.
Dartmoor housed over 6000 American prisoners during the War of 1812 of which there were roughly 1000 black sailors. Using the captured sailors as his main characters, Mayo has written a five act play that somewhat mirrors a Shakespearian tragedy. The core of the story revolves around the life of American prisoners of war seized by the British during the fighting. With the conflict over, the POW’S where be released, however, the American Congress needed to ratify the Treaty of Ghent as the British Parliament had. During the interim the prisoner’s life would continue in the seven cell blocks that made up the prison as they had for the previous eighteen months. Murder, physical attacks, nasty personal confrontation, poor food, little freedom, and of course segregation of whites from blacks was the order of the day. Block number four housed the black prisoner population and was led by a former Maryland slave who was six feet eight and commanded great respect. King Dick, whose real name was Richard Craftus ran a tight ship, but had a soft spot for Shakespeare and his men.
There is a high degree of historical accuracy in Mayo’s presentation. Block four did stage Shakespearean productions, including Romeo and Juliet, the signing of the Treaty of Ghent did not produce the immediate release of the prisoners, and the hostility between rival prisoner groups did explode into violent bloodshed. Mayo builds upon the historical backdrop to produce a novel that that wreaks of loyalty, doomed love, and a series of dashed dreams. The themes are numerous from British haughtiness, blatant racism, the role of theater in assisting prisoners to deal with their daily plight, the fear of smallpox, human relationships, and the daily monotony of prison life.
Mayo has created an interesting template for his novel juxtaposing a theater group of black prisoners performing Shakespeare as a major construction for the story, that can be considered its own play. The constant references to the Bard, be it Othello and other plays and the rehearsals for Romeo and Juliet within the confines of Dartmoor is surprising and it seems to carry much weight throughout the novel.
The most important relationship that emerges from the story is that of Joe Hill, the sixteen-year-old white sailor and that of Habs Snow, a black prisoner. Their friendship is a testimony to their survival and its greatest test revolves around a kiss that takes place in a scene from Romeo and Juliet as Hill portrays Juliet, and Habs plays Romeo. It is a test of the mores that exist in the prison but also in society at large. There are other sideshows to the main plot; the affair between Dr. George Magrath, the prison physician and the wife of the prison commander Captain Thomas Shortland; the actions of Horace Cobb and Edwin Lane two members of the “Rough Allies,” a thuggish gang that despises black prisoners as much as they do the British; in addition to many others that exist throughout Dartmoor’s seven cell blocks.
The story culminates with a nasty prison riot that upends several important relationships and leads one to believe that Mayo has written a novel that should be the basis for a film script. The book could be enhanced with greater character development and depth of story, but it is a satisfying yarn, that should attract the reader’s interest as Mayo brings his plot to conclusion with several twists and turns. If the book is turned into a movie script, a a good production staff can enhance the storyline and create a moving experience for a possible viewership.
March 4, 2018
It took me a few chapters to get into Mad Blood Stirring, but when I did, I found it compelling reading. I knew of the war in 1812, but I'd never heard of the incident in the prison, upon which this book is based. I particularly enjoyed the distinctive voices the author gave each of the characters, and the way those characters interacted. Joe and Habs were my primary focus, as I thought the developing relationship between them was beautifully handled. I certainly finished the book keen to find out more about Dartmoor prison, and, overall, this was a wonderful read that I would recommend to historical fiction readers who are looking for a story with less bodice ripping and more dark emotion. 4.5 stars from me.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley.
March 24, 2018
A great premise and a fantastic setting but the business of performing the play, Romeo and Juliet, didn't retain my interest. A review to follow shortly.
February 21, 2019
The author of this book is something of a British national institution; I've been listening to him on the radio and podcasts at least once a week for most of my life. Given the medium of radio, and Simon Mayo's particular skill as a presenter, he's someone I feel like I know well even though I've never met him (I did stand behind him in a coffee queue at a music festival once, but I was too overwhelmed to say anything). His presence on a programme is, to people like me, reassuring and comforting.
He's come to writing fiction relatively recently; a series for young adults has been successful and is now being filmed. This book represents his first effort at fiction for 'grown-ups'. Based around little known historical events, it tells the story of American prisoners of war in England's Dartmoor prison during the 1812-15 USA-England war. Like most of us, I'd never heard of that war; the true events of the novel are even less well known. It's good to approach the book with little knowledge of what's to come, but suffice to say lots does happen. Murder, requited and unrequited love, a national disgrace few of us have heard of and a production of Romeo and Juliet (from which play the title comes). Details are fictionalised, of course, and the play's performance moved slightly in time for narrative flow. But it's a remarkable and powerful story, thrillingly and movingly told. It's to the author's immense credit that it switches between the big picture of the conditions of thousands to shared intimacy between two with ease. There is plenty of Romeo and Juliet parallelism for those who enjoy looking out for such things; and there are big, important themes of prejudice, inclusion and the transcendent power of art, all without a moment of preachiness.
Primarily, though, this is a fascinating and remarkable story we need to hear, told at a pace that grips and entertains with vivid characters and and a flair for describing memorable set-pieces with economy and creativity. The deeper themes ebb and flow to the extent we desire to examine them; otherwise it grips, entertains and informs. It's no surprise it was optioned for film rights before it was even completed; in the right hands, this will transfer to the big screen with much potential. If the author had been less well known, I can't help but think the hype around this would have been conversely even greater; at this stage of his career, to have produced such a novel at his first attempt for this audience, Mayo has produced something to treasure - and to have us anticipating what's next with eagerness.
He's come to writing fiction relatively recently; a series for young adults has been successful and is now being filmed. This book represents his first effort at fiction for 'grown-ups'. Based around little known historical events, it tells the story of American prisoners of war in England's Dartmoor prison during the 1812-15 USA-England war. Like most of us, I'd never heard of that war; the true events of the novel are even less well known. It's good to approach the book with little knowledge of what's to come, but suffice to say lots does happen. Murder, requited and unrequited love, a national disgrace few of us have heard of and a production of Romeo and Juliet (from which play the title comes). Details are fictionalised, of course, and the play's performance moved slightly in time for narrative flow. But it's a remarkable and powerful story, thrillingly and movingly told. It's to the author's immense credit that it switches between the big picture of the conditions of thousands to shared intimacy between two with ease. There is plenty of Romeo and Juliet parallelism for those who enjoy looking out for such things; and there are big, important themes of prejudice, inclusion and the transcendent power of art, all without a moment of preachiness.
Primarily, though, this is a fascinating and remarkable story we need to hear, told at a pace that grips and entertains with vivid characters and and a flair for describing memorable set-pieces with economy and creativity. The deeper themes ebb and flow to the extent we desire to examine them; otherwise it grips, entertains and informs. It's no surprise it was optioned for film rights before it was even completed; in the right hands, this will transfer to the big screen with much potential. If the author had been less well known, I can't help but think the hype around this would have been conversely even greater; at this stage of his career, to have produced such a novel at his first attempt for this audience, Mayo has produced something to treasure - and to have us anticipating what's next with eagerness.
October 23, 2018
A really interesting historical read that by the end had me turning the pages in fascination. It is a slow starter and took me quite a while to become gripped, but the tensions and drama steadily rise to a point where it is difficult to put down. The blurb states that Joe lights a fuse with his announcement of the newly declared peace, and perhaps he does but its certainly one hell of a long fuse! Really things don't start to go bang until at least halfway through the novel.
That said, this is excellently written and the author creates this bleak and dark world around you as he writes. The characters are strong and the various tensions - racial, cultural and sexual alike - are drawn into the characters well. All of our lead characters are strong, and I found myself caring for many, both American and British alike. On the same hand I found myself disgusted at some, frustrated by others and exasperated by a few at various points which is always a sign that an author has succeeded.
The history is fascinating and is quite honestly something I had never come across before. Admittedly, it's not my era of history but you would not anticipate an entire war being lost to the footnotes of history. That ensured I had no idea where this was going and it was all the more fascinating for it. I will certainly be looking out for more works by this author.
That said, this is excellently written and the author creates this bleak and dark world around you as he writes. The characters are strong and the various tensions - racial, cultural and sexual alike - are drawn into the characters well. All of our lead characters are strong, and I found myself caring for many, both American and British alike. On the same hand I found myself disgusted at some, frustrated by others and exasperated by a few at various points which is always a sign that an author has succeeded.
The history is fascinating and is quite honestly something I had never come across before. Admittedly, it's not my era of history but you would not anticipate an entire war being lost to the footnotes of history. That ensured I had no idea where this was going and it was all the more fascinating for it. I will certainly be looking out for more works by this author.
May 28, 2020
Inspired, by true events and in the quality of the storytelling.
Coincidence is a weird phenomenon. Last week I read a book largely about a production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” but touching on “Romeo & Juliet” and this week I read a book where a production of “Romeo & Juliet” taking place in the newly built Dartmoor Prison and performed by American Sailors taken prisoner in a war of which I had never heard. Last week’s was good, this is brilliant. I was very surprised. I have appreciated Simon Mayo’s skills as a broadcaster, but I had never come across his novels. Now I am hooked and will set about adding his other books to my “to read” pile. At the core of this book is an excellent piece of storytelling with great characters and a lot of depth particularly in the way it deals with racial sssues. I recommend this very enthusiastically. There is a very sad and beautifully written episode just after halfway through the book, which I, for one, did not see coming.
Coincidence is a weird phenomenon. Last week I read a book largely about a production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” but touching on “Romeo & Juliet” and this week I read a book where a production of “Romeo & Juliet” taking place in the newly built Dartmoor Prison and performed by American Sailors taken prisoner in a war of which I had never heard. Last week’s was good, this is brilliant. I was very surprised. I have appreciated Simon Mayo’s skills as a broadcaster, but I had never come across his novels. Now I am hooked and will set about adding his other books to my “to read” pile. At the core of this book is an excellent piece of storytelling with great characters and a lot of depth particularly in the way it deals with racial sssues. I recommend this very enthusiastically. There is a very sad and beautifully written episode just after halfway through the book, which I, for one, did not see coming.
February 21, 2019
An imaginative depiction of Dartmoor Prison at the end of the 1815 war. I enjoyed learning about a little unusual snippet of history I wasn’t previously aware of. The story telling is dramatic, as the powder keg of prisoners sizzles and eventually blows. And there’s a couple of love story angles too to keep it interesting. At times, Mayo’s more imaginative interpretations of history (the Romeo and Juliet play, the character of King Dick, and the friendship between Joe and Habs) are borderline unbelievable, but it doesn’t stop this being an enjoyable read.
September 7, 2019
This novel shines a light on a fairly unknown area of British history - if it wasn't for Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series, I probably wouldn't know about the 1812 war with America either. The story centres on a group of American prisoners who arrive at Dartmoor prison just as the war is ending. They take every opportunity to rile up the British prison guards while they wait to find out if and when they will be allowed to go home. There is also racial tension as many of the white Americans are persuaded to object to sharing space with the same black men who have previously been their colleagues and shipmates.
Add in a sub-plot about the prison governor's wife and there's plenty going on. The historical notes explain the real-life inspiration for the story and it's an interesting read. It's also the first time I've read any of Mayo's novels - to be honest, I didn't know he wrote as well as being a radio presenter. If they're all as interesting as this, I'll want to read more.
Add in a sub-plot about the prison governor's wife and there's plenty going on. The historical notes explain the real-life inspiration for the story and it's an interesting read. It's also the first time I've read any of Mayo's novels - to be honest, I didn't know he wrote as well as being a radio presenter. If they're all as interesting as this, I'll want to read more.
April 4, 2019
Having had my interest piqued by Simon Mayo discussing his debut adult novel, Mad Blood Stirring, I was delighted when it was chosen as my book group read. Based on a true story set during 1815 in Dartmoor Prison, when white and black American prisoners of war were segregated whilst waiting to return home, the descriptions of life within the jail are harsh and vivid. Throw a Shakespearean play, organised by the fearsome prisoner ‘King Dick’, with a risky kiss into the mix and the prison transforms into a powder keg of emotions. I particularly enjoyed the witty asides between Elizabeth Shortland, nurse as well as feisty wife of the governor, and her husband. A word of caution though – the first few chapters are a touch slow but stick with it as the characters are richly drawn and once the story gets going it zips along nicely.
February 25, 2020
I read this through the interest of reading a peice of locally set historical fiction. Unfortunately, the book significantly underwhelms.
There is quite regular use of cliches, a lot of showing instead if telling; we are told the main character is handsome but not how. Then there is the bizarre switches between standard prose and playwriting. Ive never seen that before and there doesn't seem to be any good reason for it.
The characters are largely blank archetype/stereotypes, only the king is interesting and yet we know nothing about him and he is definitely a stereotype. The author pelts most of the cast at us right away which confused me as to who was who; maybe it wouldn't have so much if the characters were more developed. It was hard to distinguish who the main character was for several chapters, the two main protagonists were probably the least interesting characters.
The rough allies are basically all the same character, the soldiers are all stupid and angry, and block 4 inmates are all Shakespeare fanatics with no other personality traits. The author even describes them all doing the same thing; at one point a patrol of soldiers are all leaning on the railing, another time the block 4 inmates all look at each other mouth agape. At another point the king addresses some of his block and they respond with a unified voice. Its just bad writing.
Without knowledge of the events of the book before reading a few things struck me as odd with the historical accuracy; from nitpicking that the author says rifle when he means musket and a lieutenant carrying a rifle to the prisoners being astonished at the size of the buildings in dartmoor prison- we are just told they've come from Devonport naval base where they would've seen granite buidlings as big or bigger than those at dartmoor, including the ropery which is the longest non sub-divided building in the UK. Also they walk across the open moor to the jail and down from a tor... there have been roadways to princetown (where dartmoor prison is) before 1815 so why not use that instead of trapsing over rough terrain? We are told at the end notes that language used is correct for the period, but F words were not in use in 1815.
I felt the author wrote this book with a screenplay in mind, hence the occasional switches to that format. Coupled with the endorsement by Kenneth Branagh for whom I suspect the heavily laden Shakespearean elements were included in the hope Brranagh would film it. Then there is the very awkwardly written homosexual relationship to appease modern audiences, its so badly done I can sense the author's awkward feelings in writing it. The main character is also pretty 'woke' for the period, as is the Captain's wife.
The book is quite painful to read so I took a while to finish it. That said, it improved somewhat in the last 50 pages but I didn't feel I cared what happened because I wasn't invested in any of the characters. I am surprised a book of this quality was traditionally published, I would expect this level of quality from a self published book. I suspect that celebrity had something to do with it being published.
There is a good book hidden in here but this feels like a 3rd draft of a first novel that requires significant rewriting.
There is quite regular use of cliches, a lot of showing instead if telling; we are told the main character is handsome but not how. Then there is the bizarre switches between standard prose and playwriting. Ive never seen that before and there doesn't seem to be any good reason for it.
The characters are largely blank archetype/stereotypes, only the king is interesting and yet we know nothing about him and he is definitely a stereotype. The author pelts most of the cast at us right away which confused me as to who was who; maybe it wouldn't have so much if the characters were more developed. It was hard to distinguish who the main character was for several chapters, the two main protagonists were probably the least interesting characters.
The rough allies are basically all the same character, the soldiers are all stupid and angry, and block 4 inmates are all Shakespeare fanatics with no other personality traits. The author even describes them all doing the same thing; at one point a patrol of soldiers are all leaning on the railing, another time the block 4 inmates all look at each other mouth agape. At another point the king addresses some of his block and they respond with a unified voice. Its just bad writing.
Without knowledge of the events of the book before reading a few things struck me as odd with the historical accuracy; from nitpicking that the author says rifle when he means musket and a lieutenant carrying a rifle to the prisoners being astonished at the size of the buildings in dartmoor prison- we are just told they've come from Devonport naval base where they would've seen granite buidlings as big or bigger than those at dartmoor, including the ropery which is the longest non sub-divided building in the UK. Also they walk across the open moor to the jail and down from a tor... there have been roadways to princetown (where dartmoor prison is) before 1815 so why not use that instead of trapsing over rough terrain? We are told at the end notes that language used is correct for the period, but F words were not in use in 1815.
I felt the author wrote this book with a screenplay in mind, hence the occasional switches to that format. Coupled with the endorsement by Kenneth Branagh for whom I suspect the heavily laden Shakespearean elements were included in the hope Brranagh would film it. Then there is the very awkwardly written homosexual relationship to appease modern audiences, its so badly done I can sense the author's awkward feelings in writing it. The main character is also pretty 'woke' for the period, as is the Captain's wife.
The book is quite painful to read so I took a while to finish it. That said, it improved somewhat in the last 50 pages but I didn't feel I cared what happened because I wasn't invested in any of the characters. I am surprised a book of this quality was traditionally published, I would expect this level of quality from a self published book. I suspect that celebrity had something to do with it being published.
There is a good book hidden in here but this feels like a 3rd draft of a first novel that requires significant rewriting.
August 20, 2021
3.5 stars.
Interesting piece of history but took me a long time to get into it. Wasn't so keen on the writing style.
Interesting piece of history but took me a long time to get into it. Wasn't so keen on the writing style.
March 30, 2019
Very disappointing novel. On paper it should have been the perfect book for me - historical fiction, set in a part of the world I know well and written by Simon Mayo who I have long respected. The book was so slow to get going that I came close to giving up on several occasions. By the time the pace picks up in the last act I was past caring what happened to the characters.
April 30, 2018
Simon Mayo confidently asserts that no-one much in England knows about the War of 1812 with America, and the prisoners-of-war in Dartmoor Prison. Actually I did, but I didn't know about the segregation of the black prisoners, and the events following the end of the war (No spoilers here - read it yourself!). This is a great first novel, the tension builds in the powderkeg of a prison, and the thread of Romeo and Juliet throughout the plot is well done, without becoming laboured. The fine line between contemporary language usage and offence is carefully trodden, and adds to the period feel. For a graduate in History and Politics Mr Mayo should know that rifles weren't commonplace at this time amongst prison guards, an error which irks, and he does actually start talking, correctly, about muskets in the final chapters! That aside (and most people wouldn't notice) it is a great read, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and which will make me find out more about the true events behind the novel.
August 4, 2018
Listened to the audio book. It took quite a while to get into - not sure if this was down to the dry, slightly flavourless reader or whether the story didn’t pick up pace till the second half. The characters only really came alive in the last third (apart from King Dick who held his own from the beginning).
June 22, 2024
Oh dear! Not for me and rather long.
Ooooops! No wonder the plot seemed familiar. I had read it in 2021 as well. Even worse I had lent it to daughter who lent it to me recently and I Did Not Check GoodReads. There's a moral somewhere.
Ooooops! No wonder the plot seemed familiar. I had read it in 2021 as well. Even worse I had lent it to daughter who lent it to me recently and I Did Not Check GoodReads. There's a moral somewhere.
June 13, 2018
An interesting read, I learned a lot about a period of history I knew nothing about. I found this very slow to get going and generally just a bit too clunky to be great.
July 11, 2018
I saw Simon Mayo talk about this book at the Hay Festival and I was really interested in the history. Whilst I enjoyed it, it sadly didn't quite meet my expectations.
February 10, 2019
I got a quarter of the way through and gave up. I found the dialogue really clunky and I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. Not my cup of tea.
October 27, 2018
Simon Mayo's first novel for adults is based around true events and characters from a little remembered episode in history. In 1815, the second Anglo-US war is coming to an end. As a group of American sailors, captured in battle, arrive at the British prison on Dartmoor, news of a peace treaty is announced. However, it has been signed in Belgium and the news must be carried across the Atlantic, the treaty ratified by congress and news returned to Europe. Add to that the time taken to organise ships to return prisoners home, and there is a long and dangerous interregnum.
As he arrives in the prison, the main point of view character, Joe Hill, finds a microcosm of racial segregation, as all of the African American prisoners have been put into a single block, Block Four, one of seven blocks in the prison. This division has been made at the request of the white inmates, in particular the uncompromising, bearded Rough Allies. Block Four is ruled over by King Dick, a giant of a man who uses extreme violence to control his world and everything in it, from gambling to the Dartmoor Amateur Dramatic Society. That is probably the most astonishing feature of Mayo's novel, that King Dick and his theatrical interests are matters of historical record.
The story of the last few months of the sailor's imprisonment is built around the rehearsals for a production of Romeo and Juliet. As the sailors become ever more desperate for release they are beset by disease, worsening conditions and internecine warfare. Real life increasingly mirrors life on the stage as the struggle between the Montagues and Capulets of the prison get rapidly more bitter. Mayo plays on this parallel by giving his novel a five act structure. It is a book which starts somewhat slowly as the author takes time to dress his set, but the pace picks up towards the end as the play, escape attempts and score settling race towards a tragic conclusion.
Mayo is not afraid to come up with a rich set of ingredients, throwing in violence, an illicit affair between the governors wife and the prison doctor, overt racism, homosexuality, and political history. Within that, this is unashamedly a book written with a 21st century liberal eye, with its strong anti-racist message, and sexually tolerant attitude.
I heard the author talking about the book at a festival and he mentioned that there is interest in the film rights. That is entirely understandable as this his a highly cinematic book. It is a gritty historical drama, with a strong narrative drive (once it gets going) which builds to a thrilling conclusion. On the downside, it is also very much a novel which operates on the surface. We see the characters' actions, we don't see much of their inner lives. It is almost as if the author has taken the words of his broadcasting partner to heart, "Show don't tell".
So, this is well worth a read. The history is fascinating, and Simon Mayo has used it to spin an engrossing yarn. I would have preferred a little more depth of character.
As he arrives in the prison, the main point of view character, Joe Hill, finds a microcosm of racial segregation, as all of the African American prisoners have been put into a single block, Block Four, one of seven blocks in the prison. This division has been made at the request of the white inmates, in particular the uncompromising, bearded Rough Allies. Block Four is ruled over by King Dick, a giant of a man who uses extreme violence to control his world and everything in it, from gambling to the Dartmoor Amateur Dramatic Society. That is probably the most astonishing feature of Mayo's novel, that King Dick and his theatrical interests are matters of historical record.
The story of the last few months of the sailor's imprisonment is built around the rehearsals for a production of Romeo and Juliet. As the sailors become ever more desperate for release they are beset by disease, worsening conditions and internecine warfare. Real life increasingly mirrors life on the stage as the struggle between the Montagues and Capulets of the prison get rapidly more bitter. Mayo plays on this parallel by giving his novel a five act structure. It is a book which starts somewhat slowly as the author takes time to dress his set, but the pace picks up towards the end as the play, escape attempts and score settling race towards a tragic conclusion.
Mayo is not afraid to come up with a rich set of ingredients, throwing in violence, an illicit affair between the governors wife and the prison doctor, overt racism, homosexuality, and political history. Within that, this is unashamedly a book written with a 21st century liberal eye, with its strong anti-racist message, and sexually tolerant attitude.
I heard the author talking about the book at a festival and he mentioned that there is interest in the film rights. That is entirely understandable as this his a highly cinematic book. It is a gritty historical drama, with a strong narrative drive (once it gets going) which builds to a thrilling conclusion. On the downside, it is also very much a novel which operates on the surface. We see the characters' actions, we don't see much of their inner lives. It is almost as if the author has taken the words of his broadcasting partner to heart, "Show don't tell".
So, this is well worth a read. The history is fascinating, and Simon Mayo has used it to spin an engrossing yarn. I would have preferred a little more depth of character.
May 25, 2018
Forgotten history revived. 4/5 stars.
This review was originally posted on my book blog.
Mad Blood Stirring is an example of what I love most about historical fiction: an entertaining and immersive way to learn more about a past event, place and people. The story picks up on a bit of “forgotten” history, or not forgotten in my case as the War of 1812 and the associated events at Dartmouth prison were all completely new to me!
The novel is incredibly well-researched and brings the past to life with vivid descriptions, conveying the horrors of confinement, particularly when disease and violence spreads throughout the jail. And, as is often the way with books “based on true events”, the most unbelievable details are precisely those which are true: the racial segregation of the prisoners, the smallpox outbreak, King Dick himself, and the prisoners putting on productions of Shakespeare.
All the characters are engaging – the central characters as likeable as the villains are despicable – although while the relationship between Habs and Joe is the heart of the book, the show is stolen by King Dick who looms large over the whole narrative. Obviously, given the context, female characters are thin on the ground, however, I’m pleased to report that the few who do make an appearance are laudably confident and capable.
As a die-hard Shakespeare nut, I loved the use of Romeo and Juliet as a narrative event (the prisoners are putting on a production – don’t roll your eyes, this is one of the documented things that actually happened at Dartmoor!), and the parallels to Shakespeare’s story in the narrative, even down to the five-act structure. That said, you don’t need to have any prior knowledge of the play or attachment to Shakespeare to appreciate the story told in Mad Blood Stirring.
This story unfolds slowly, laying its many threads meticulously to gradually ratchet up the tension before events come to a head in Act 5. In fact, Acts 1-3 are like a fuse being slowly wound out, in Act 4 someone finally lights it and in Act 5 the flame races towards the dynamite. So don’t be put off if you think the pacing at the start is a little slow – it’s all building to a rapid and explosive conclusion.
Overall: well-researched historical fiction with engaging characters. Fans of the genre should seek this one out!
This review was originally posted on my book blog.
Mad Blood Stirring is an example of what I love most about historical fiction: an entertaining and immersive way to learn more about a past event, place and people. The story picks up on a bit of “forgotten” history, or not forgotten in my case as the War of 1812 and the associated events at Dartmouth prison were all completely new to me!
The novel is incredibly well-researched and brings the past to life with vivid descriptions, conveying the horrors of confinement, particularly when disease and violence spreads throughout the jail. And, as is often the way with books “based on true events”, the most unbelievable details are precisely those which are true: the racial segregation of the prisoners, the smallpox outbreak, King Dick himself, and the prisoners putting on productions of Shakespeare.
All the characters are engaging – the central characters as likeable as the villains are despicable – although while the relationship between Habs and Joe is the heart of the book, the show is stolen by King Dick who looms large over the whole narrative. Obviously, given the context, female characters are thin on the ground, however, I’m pleased to report that the few who do make an appearance are laudably confident and capable.
As a die-hard Shakespeare nut, I loved the use of Romeo and Juliet as a narrative event (the prisoners are putting on a production – don’t roll your eyes, this is one of the documented things that actually happened at Dartmoor!), and the parallels to Shakespeare’s story in the narrative, even down to the five-act structure. That said, you don’t need to have any prior knowledge of the play or attachment to Shakespeare to appreciate the story told in Mad Blood Stirring.
This story unfolds slowly, laying its many threads meticulously to gradually ratchet up the tension before events come to a head in Act 5. In fact, Acts 1-3 are like a fuse being slowly wound out, in Act 4 someone finally lights it and in Act 5 the flame races towards the dynamite. So don’t be put off if you think the pacing at the start is a little slow – it’s all building to a rapid and explosive conclusion.
Overall: well-researched historical fiction with engaging characters. Fans of the genre should seek this one out!
January 31, 2019
Simon Mayo has created a blend of suspense, love, sacrifice and little remembered history in his saga of Dartmoor Prison following the almost-end of The War of 1812. The prison, a melange of seven buildings housing almost 4,000 American prisoners, has not yet received word that the Yankees have signed and returned the treaty which will end the war. In the meantime, one last ship full of captured Americans deposits her load at its gates. And here the story begins. Joe Hill wants nothing more than to outlast the war and get home. Most of the men at Dartmoor feel the same, but Block Four, the first segregated prison block in British history, knows what awaits them back "home". For these black men, the prison is both jail and sanctuary. They have their own society, governed by King Dick, an educated and powerful man who cares for his people and their well-being using music and theater to keep them occupied, Shakespeare's works his prime choice . The Rough Allies, an organized group of men from another block, bully their way through the blocks, but want nothing more than to topple King Dick, rid themselves of his people, and escape their jail.
Into this world struggles Joe Hill, who finds himself more drawn to the Shakespeare and men of Block Four than might be safe for him. He agrees to join their group in a production of Romeo and Juliet as a way to say farewell to the prison....sure that the release papers will come soon. This simple act sparks consequences seen and unseen, not only for Joe but for Dartmoor itself. (And therein lies the tale)
To find a piece of history I had no idea existed was just one reason I enjoyed this book. It is fiction based in history, researched well and told in a way that kept me intrigued to the end. The author's note is a good postscript to the story so don't skip it.
Definitely a good read.
Into this world struggles Joe Hill, who finds himself more drawn to the Shakespeare and men of Block Four than might be safe for him. He agrees to join their group in a production of Romeo and Juliet as a way to say farewell to the prison....sure that the release papers will come soon. This simple act sparks consequences seen and unseen, not only for Joe but for Dartmoor itself. (And therein lies the tale)
To find a piece of history I had no idea existed was just one reason I enjoyed this book. It is fiction based in history, researched well and told in a way that kept me intrigued to the end. The author's note is a good postscript to the story so don't skip it.
Definitely a good read.
November 13, 2021
Starts very strongly and menacingly with the forced march over Dartmoor of a small party of captured Americans to the huge prison where the events of this book will play out. We are waiting for the political and administrative resolution of the ending of the War of 1812 with Yankee POWs held in an enormous complex originally built to hold the French.
Some of the themes, the power of music and drama, racial injustice, illicit liaisons and more are introduced immediately but the book gets bogged down in the middle. With even a massive smallpox outbreak which must have been a terrifying real life moment passed over quickly.
By the end the threads pull together cleverly and tension and momentum pick back up but I’d found it a difficult push to get through to that point. The characters were hard to distinguish between at times - the list of principle players might have been more help with more description, Dickens style. John Lord, sailor. Robert Goffe, sailor. And so on - with no more reference provided. I’d have appreciated some help in a story where it’s important to recall which Ship a character served on, which Block they are housed in, which prison alliance they hold to and which character in the staging of Romeo and Juliet some of them will play.
It’s an interesting fictionalised account of little known historical set of events and worth a read - I’m hoping that there will be more and stronger offerings from this writer.
Some of the themes, the power of music and drama, racial injustice, illicit liaisons and more are introduced immediately but the book gets bogged down in the middle. With even a massive smallpox outbreak which must have been a terrifying real life moment passed over quickly.
By the end the threads pull together cleverly and tension and momentum pick back up but I’d found it a difficult push to get through to that point. The characters were hard to distinguish between at times - the list of principle players might have been more help with more description, Dickens style. John Lord, sailor. Robert Goffe, sailor. And so on - with no more reference provided. I’d have appreciated some help in a story where it’s important to recall which Ship a character served on, which Block they are housed in, which prison alliance they hold to and which character in the staging of Romeo and Juliet some of them will play.
It’s an interesting fictionalised account of little known historical set of events and worth a read - I’m hoping that there will be more and stronger offerings from this writer.
April 19, 2019
I was given a copy of this book through a booksite giveaway, with no obligation to review.
Dartmoor Prison in Devon is a place I didn't know about before this book, and I certainly didn't know about the American prisoners kept there when the War of 1812 was over, but the prisoners not released. So, although fictionalized, this is a story based in fact. Pretty interesting facts.
The characters were brought to life for me, and I was delighted at the end of the book to learn which are based on real people. King Dick, an enormous black man, is a leader, a bully, a protection, and quite fascinating. And, unlike the ships the prisoners sailed, the prison is segregated. It's no surprise that things so awry. Also no surprise that there is murder and general mayhem.
The writing is straightforward, nothing fancy, no purple prose. Although the book describes how the prison is laid out, it occasionally got confusing for me, so the map at the beginning of the book was helpful.
The segregated black prison, in the middle of the other six, puts on Shakespearean plays, but none before quite like Romeo and Juliet. This book is more enjoyable if you are familiar with the story of Romeo and Juliet, because there are lots of similarities and references to the play, but even if you aren't familiar, this is an interesting and entertaining piece of historical fiction in its own right.
Dartmoor Prison in Devon is a place I didn't know about before this book, and I certainly didn't know about the American prisoners kept there when the War of 1812 was over, but the prisoners not released. So, although fictionalized, this is a story based in fact. Pretty interesting facts.
The characters were brought to life for me, and I was delighted at the end of the book to learn which are based on real people. King Dick, an enormous black man, is a leader, a bully, a protection, and quite fascinating. And, unlike the ships the prisoners sailed, the prison is segregated. It's no surprise that things so awry. Also no surprise that there is murder and general mayhem.
The writing is straightforward, nothing fancy, no purple prose. Although the book describes how the prison is laid out, it occasionally got confusing for me, so the map at the beginning of the book was helpful.
The segregated black prison, in the middle of the other six, puts on Shakespearean plays, but none before quite like Romeo and Juliet. This book is more enjoyable if you are familiar with the story of Romeo and Juliet, because there are lots of similarities and references to the play, but even if you aren't familiar, this is an interesting and entertaining piece of historical fiction in its own right.
May 28, 2019
Simon Mayo's first novel was for me an uneven slog. I first heard about it in a Folger Library Shakespeare Unlimited podcast, asked my local library to order it, and read it over the past week. It's loaded with implausibilities, one-thing-after-another filler, problematic pacing and dialect writing, anachronistic speech, and more. And yet.
And yet. All that said, deep into the "fifth act," things finally picked up for me, developments hurtle along for the last 80 pp or so, and we arrive at a semi-satisfactory - if IMO a somewhat fantastical - conclusion.
In the end, however, Mad Blood Stirring just isn't the ripping yarn the author wanted it to be, and - despite the presence of the interesting and complicated historical character, Haitian born Maryland-based privateer Richard Craftus, aka "King Dick" of the Dartmoor Prison's 1000 African-American captives as well as the historical fact that these American POWs staged Shakespeare plays while imprisoned at Dartmoor - I cannot in good conscience recommend this novel (unless you are a much, much faster reader than I am AND you have a passionate interest in the historical events at Dartmoor or are an indiscriminate Bardolator, the latter of which is my personal sin).
And yet. All that said, deep into the "fifth act," things finally picked up for me, developments hurtle along for the last 80 pp or so, and we arrive at a semi-satisfactory - if IMO a somewhat fantastical - conclusion.
In the end, however, Mad Blood Stirring just isn't the ripping yarn the author wanted it to be, and - despite the presence of the interesting and complicated historical character, Haitian born Maryland-based privateer Richard Craftus, aka "King Dick" of the Dartmoor Prison's 1000 African-American captives as well as the historical fact that these American POWs staged Shakespeare plays while imprisoned at Dartmoor - I cannot in good conscience recommend this novel (unless you are a much, much faster reader than I am AND you have a passionate interest in the historical events at Dartmoor or are an indiscriminate Bardolator, the latter of which is my personal sin).
July 21, 2020
Based on true events, this extraordinary novel tells an almost unknown tale.Towards the end of the war in 1815, American sailors become British POWs, ending up in notorious Dartmoor Prison. Mayo tells their story during the few weeks following the first rumours that a peace treaty has been signed.
Being structured around Romeo & Juliet as an inspiration and a major plot point, this evokes characters and plot line in an almost shakespearean way. The characters are vividly drawn, the dialogue feels immediate and natural whilst also leaving the period setting intact.
The cast of characters features wide representation, from POC characters to LGBTQ+ romance representation, dealing with the issues raised through that in a way that remains true to the setting but feels honest and direct.
[side note on the audiobook: Rhashan Stone does an amazing job, performing a huge range of well and believably done accents and thus evoking distinct and memorable characters, that feel very much like you're standing right next to the action, equally to your delight and shock. Just wow! This may be one of the best audiobooks I've listened to!]
Being structured around Romeo & Juliet as an inspiration and a major plot point, this evokes characters and plot line in an almost shakespearean way. The characters are vividly drawn, the dialogue feels immediate and natural whilst also leaving the period setting intact.
The cast of characters features wide representation, from POC characters to LGBTQ+ romance representation, dealing with the issues raised through that in a way that remains true to the setting but feels honest and direct.
[side note on the audiobook: Rhashan Stone does an amazing job, performing a huge range of well and believably done accents and thus evoking distinct and memorable characters, that feel very much like you're standing right next to the action, equally to your delight and shock. Just wow! This may be one of the best audiobooks I've listened to!]
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July 1, 2021Surprisingly brilliant
Intrigued by the idea of a chirpy DJ writing what sounded like a pretty serious book I decided to read this out of curiosity more than anything else. Historical novels aren't normally my thing, neither are war or prison stories, but I quickly found myself captivated by this seemingly simple tale of a forgotten war that ended just as the story began. American sailors, supposedly hardened by war and years in a desolate prison setting were shown as a community of friends, shipmates, families within their blocks, rivals between them and united against their British captors. They also loved, laughed, fought and lived as routine a life as any other person, but most surprisingly they were creative, supportive and tender. Who would have thought a powerful story like this could weave together suffering, friendship, a deadly epidemic, racism, hatred, violence, a love story, unexpected love, forbidden and secret love and set all this against a backdrop of a desolate location, high tension and historical events largely unknown. Simon Mayo does all this with great writing, credibility and an effortless ability to tell a good tale.
Intrigued by the idea of a chirpy DJ writing what sounded like a pretty serious book I decided to read this out of curiosity more than anything else. Historical novels aren't normally my thing, neither are war or prison stories, but I quickly found myself captivated by this seemingly simple tale of a forgotten war that ended just as the story began. American sailors, supposedly hardened by war and years in a desolate prison setting were shown as a community of friends, shipmates, families within their blocks, rivals between them and united against their British captors. They also loved, laughed, fought and lived as routine a life as any other person, but most surprisingly they were creative, supportive and tender. Who would have thought a powerful story like this could weave together suffering, friendship, a deadly epidemic, racism, hatred, violence, a love story, unexpected love, forbidden and secret love and set all this against a backdrop of a desolate location, high tension and historical events largely unknown. Simon Mayo does all this with great writing, credibility and an effortless ability to tell a good tale.
May 15, 2018
Dartmoor is not too far away from where i live, so i jumped at the chance to read this novel, Mad Blood Stirring by Simon Mayo.
New Year's Eve 1814 and England and America are at war. A group of American sailors are captured from the ship 'The Eagle' and transported by foot, to the forbidding Dartmoor Prison, where they are to be held as POW's.
The prison is vastly over crowded with appalling living conditions,and soon after arriving, they learn that the war is over and believe that they will be free to go home. But events occur, which means that their internment is extended and the story progresses, with varied story lines on life in this prison and the actions of both the prisoners and the wardens in charge.
Simon Mayo has put a lot of research into this novel which is based on true events and he has produced a intense and vibrant novel which would appeal to anyone who enjoys historical and true life events of this period. Thanks to .#MadBloodStirring #NetGalley for allowing me to read and review
New Year's Eve 1814 and England and America are at war. A group of American sailors are captured from the ship 'The Eagle' and transported by foot, to the forbidding Dartmoor Prison, where they are to be held as POW's.
The prison is vastly over crowded with appalling living conditions,and soon after arriving, they learn that the war is over and believe that they will be free to go home. But events occur, which means that their internment is extended and the story progresses, with varied story lines on life in this prison and the actions of both the prisoners and the wardens in charge.
Simon Mayo has put a lot of research into this novel which is based on true events and he has produced a intense and vibrant novel which would appeal to anyone who enjoys historical and true life events of this period. Thanks to .#MadBloodStirring #NetGalley for allowing me to read and review
January 25, 2020
I absolutely loved this book. I had no idea that this part of history even existed- to be honest, this book made me realize how little I know about the War of 1812 at all.
As soon as I started reading, I couldn’t stop. The unique story combined with the beautifully written characters were captivating. I could feel the foreboding in this gray, miserable prison, as much as I could feel the tension between Joe and Habs. Every character was fascinating to me- Elizabeth Shortland’s strength and determination, Magrath’s compassion, and then there is King Dick. A charismatic and principled leader, I found myself looking for King Dick’s guidance just as much as the characters in the story! Even the supporting characters like Ned Penny, Sam Snow, and Tommy Jackson are memorable, and I found myself cheering for each one along the way.
I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in British or American history, or anyone looking for dramatic forbidden romance.
As soon as I started reading, I couldn’t stop. The unique story combined with the beautifully written characters were captivating. I could feel the foreboding in this gray, miserable prison, as much as I could feel the tension between Joe and Habs. Every character was fascinating to me- Elizabeth Shortland’s strength and determination, Magrath’s compassion, and then there is King Dick. A charismatic and principled leader, I found myself looking for King Dick’s guidance just as much as the characters in the story! Even the supporting characters like Ned Penny, Sam Snow, and Tommy Jackson are memorable, and I found myself cheering for each one along the way.
I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in British or American history, or anyone looking for dramatic forbidden romance.
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