Play Book Tag discussion
August 2023: Moral Dilemmas
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This Passing World by Michael Herzog - 4+ stars (Subdue)
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You are not helping me with my TBR pile, Joy. This sounds like a good one.
It is! I can't even remember how I came across it. The author is a professor who taught Chaucer in university classes. He definitely knows the subject!
Most people have heard the term “non-fiction that reads like fiction.” Well, this book is the opposite – “fiction that reads like non-fiction.” The storyline revolves around a set of (fictional) journals written by Geoffrey Chaucer during the last two years of his life, 1398-1400. The journals recount his current challenging situation as well as the significant events in his life. He is pressured to commit an act against his natural tendencies and his conscience.
By the end, the reader will get a feeling for the entire life of Chaucer, and what drove him to write. To fully appreciate this story, it would be helpful to be familiar with British history of the period, particularly the key players during the reign of Richard II. Footnotes are included that provide additional historical details. It is obvious that the author is well-versed in medieval history and Chaucer’s works. I consider this a fine example of historical fiction that captures the spirit of the times, though it goes on a bit too long after the climactic scenes. I am just glad it’s not written in middle English!