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Under the Hog by Patrick Carleton
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That is the way of the world. I didn't mean you should wait for me. I am just curious to know if all my breast-beating and moans for help in finding this book were worth it. ;)
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I would like your opinion - not that I will necessarily agree with it. After all, I have found several books praised by group members to be not to my taste. Chacun a son gout. ;)
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Misfit, I have just received my copy of "Under the Hog". I think I love AbeBooks.The information on the front leaves of the book is the same as on the back leaves. It is a formal, almost chant-like recitation of the lineage of (first page) Edward IV and the ending of the House of York. On the opposite page is the lineage of Edward, Prince of Lancaster and Henry Tydder(spelled that way). There is no mistaking the bias of the compiler.
I will send you the text if you wish.
BTW: As is my revolting habit, I have read the very ending part. I think the book will be less of a disappointment than the last two. *fingers crossed*
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You read the ending? I could never ever do that with anybook. No way, no how.
I know how it has to end so I am not exactly spoiling a surprise. I always have to psyche myself up to deal with the ending so this is a way of desensitizing myself in advance. ;) I think in my heart of hearts, I keep hoping that I will be transferred somehow to an alternate universe in which the Tydder falls and all is well in England.
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I always look to the ending when I get a book--except, sometimes, with a mystery. Sick, isn't it?And with books from this era, I always flip around first to see how the author treats Buckingham.
I have found an apparent error in the American foreword to the book. George Morley Acklom states that Colyngbourne, who wrote that rude rhyme, was beheaded. Everywhere else I have read about this states that he was drawn and quartered - the whole treatment.
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Still cannot read easily. I am planning to try to start it this afternoon.
I have read the first fifty pages of this book and am very impressed with the skill of the writer. He uses a most effective device to lay out the history of the Yorks and Lancasters and bring the reader up to snuff before tossing him in medias res. The first scene is set at the court of Louis XI where Clarence and Warwick are trying to winkle money and ships out of the French king. By way of persuading him, they talk about the events which have led them into exile. It is adroitly done with the conversation shifting from one to the other and quickly summarizes the history of the WOTR up to the moment.
The descriptions of the personages are vivid and unconventional. I liked the phrase about Edward IV - "lovely as a girl". Much is made of his cognomen, "The Rose of Rouen". Dear me, they surely were taken with roses at that time. ;)
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I forgot to mention another lovely description. The thinning hair on the top of Warwick's head is referred to as "helmet hair". *giggle*
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I missed that, or else I haven't come to it yet. Helmet hair in the 1930's when this one was written? Who'd have thunk?
I am visualizing Warwick wearing his helmet to meals, to bed, whilst making love ... This is getting more and more Monty Python.
Wait, with all the Under the Hog readers, should we make that our next group read? Should I go drop obscene amounts of money (that I don't have at the moment, but will spend on historical novels because I'm pathetic) to obtain this book?
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I can try once I make it back up to my university. They came through for me with "A Girl and 5 Brave Horses" which is even more obscure, so I wouldn't be surprised if they could find this too.There's not much I like about my university, but they do seem to be pretty efficient about ILL. (Unless, of course, it's an article I need for my thes*s. Then they're slow as turtles!)
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Update: Uh, wow. I just went on my uni library's website to do the ILL only to discover that it actually has a copy of Under the Hog in its possession! No need to do a loan! Finally, something good about this place. Hurrah! I'll go get it as soon as I get back.
I've got a copy of this book, I did read it, but I can't remember a thing about it. Very odd. Still, it gives me a motive to read it again. Mine is one of the American R3 Branch reprints, and it definitely didn't have a dust jacket when it arrived.
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Whoo! After everyone else has already finished/given up on this book, I've finally got it in my hot little hands. And it's not due back until mid-May either.
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I have finished "Under the Hog" and my review of it is posted in the usual place. To spare any the suspense, I loved it and am still vibrating from the beauty of the words.
At the book itself - you know, the review section. Just click on the title of the book and scroll down. I think I am the only person who has reviewed it.
Oh. For some reason the first time I checked there nothing showed up. Or maybe I just didn't see it? I'm starting to think I have some sort of neurological visual disorder, like contralateral neglect, only it's "whatever I'm looking for I can't see" neglect.
Don't worry. I am the nutzo one. I put the review in the wrong place and only got it up in the right one when you commented. Sorry, next time I'll try to get it right the first time. ;)
I just started Under the Hog. (literally on page 6). Wow! They really toss you in the deep in of British history, don't they? I'm glad I already have an understanding of the War of the Roses and of the personal histories of Edward/George/Warwick, or I would be having a nervous breakdown.
I have almost finished Under the Hog and so far, I will say it is one of the best Richards I've met....will post again with final review in a couple days.
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I found this book more about the history than about Richard himself and I was disappointed in that. It was a good book but not what I had hoped.
Excellent book and very well written! While the title suggests a focus on Richard, the fact that it wasn't was not disappointing, as Richard's character was quite intriguing...most intriguing I've come across. He looms in the background, singularly moral and sympathetic but at the same time dark and mysterious. The only complaint I have is the author's rendition of the fate of the princes. But since it was treated almost as an afterthought and since I fall on the side that considers Richard innocent of that charge, it did not change my opinion of the book as a whole. If you haven't read this book, please do...you won't be let down. If anyone can suggest further reading (fiction/non-fiction) of this caliber, please let me know.
My library holds are all coming out at once. I've been waiting for The Bronze Horseman for months (a big fat sucker) and now that one's ready for pickup.