Title: Book of Colours
Expected publication: out now
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟1/2
Book Description:
London, 1321: In a small stationer's shop in Paternoster
Row, three people are drawn together around the creation of a magnificent book,
an illuminated manuscript of prayers, a Book of Hours. Even though the
commission seems to answer the aspirations of each one of them, their own
desires and ambitions threaten its completion. As each struggles to see the
book come into being, it will change everything they have understood about
their place in the world. In many ways, this is a story about power - it is also
a novel about the place of women in the roiling and turbulent world of the
early fourteenth century; what power they have, how they wield it, and just how
temporary and conditional it is.
Rich, deep, sensuous and full of life, Book of Colours is also, most movingly, a profoundly beautiful story about creativity and connection, and our instinctive need to understand our world and communicate with others through the pages of a book.
My musings:
I really love a good historical novel but often hesitate
picking one up because they can be hit and miss for me. To make it a great
read, the author not only needs to be well informed about the era, but also
have the skills of creating vivid characters and an atmospheric setting to
facilitate the perfect time travel experience. Not an easy task (and I am not
picky at all – lol)! I am happy to say that Robyn Cadwallader has those
superpowers, which made this book a wonderful reading experience, and I am mad
at myself for letting this sit on my shelf for so long!
The medieval times have always held a special fascination
for me, and Book of Colours is set in the dark times of 14th century
Britain. At the time, persistently cool and wet weather conditions made crops
fail and led to one of the biggest famines in Britain’s history, causing a huge
increase in disease and a death toll of up to 25% of the population. On top of
the natural hardships, there was crime, war and unrest to contend with, and
unemployment was rife. Whilst some people
still believed the church’s claim that it was “the will of God”, others began
to question their faith and reliance on a seemingly cruel God. With the
creation of her unforgettable characters, Cadwallader manages to not only
capture this atmosphere of upheaval, but also the mindset of the people during
those difficult times– and yet it remains a story of hope and survival, which
left a warm glow in my heart.
Anyone with a love for books and art will appreciate the
intricate details Cadwallader shares about the creation of a medieval “book of
hours”, a richly illuminated tome of prayers and psalms commissioned by one of
the rich landowner’s wives. Cadwallader’s extensive knowledge of the subject
becomes obvious as she describes the processes involved in the making of the
book: the preparation of the parchment, the mixing of the paints from
substances such as bone, plants, urine and precious metals, the processes of
carefully constructing the pictures that will do justice to the religious
texts. The author’s skill lies in seamlessly weaving these details into a story
about the everyday lives of the limners working on the book, each bringing with
them their own histories, pasts and secrets that shape their particular style
of art. The role of women in medieval society is explored through the character
of Gemma, a talented limner from a long line of artists, who – as a female – is
not allowed to officially work in her role but must paint under her husband’s
name. She rebels against society in her own way, not only by secretly painting in
the book of hours but also by writing a book on the art of illumination for her
son, an apprentice limner, which was so interesting that I couldn’t get enough
of it!
I was so fascinated by Cadwallader’s descriptions that I spent
hours googling images of books of hours, remembering seeing them on visits to
museums in Europe, where they still offer valuable glimpses into this distant
past. The artwork in some of them is incredible, and I could appreciate the many
months the fictional limners spent on illustrating Lady Mathilda’s book. With
the beauty of the artwork offset against the harsh environment and living
conditions, I felt instantly transported back into history – not only immensely
enjoying this virtual time travel, but also learning so much along the way. I
am so infinitely grateful that owning books is no longer just a privilege of
the rich! I also loved the despair of those tumultuous times reflected in small
details Cadwallader includes in her story, such as the supernatural element of
the gargoyle following Will’s every footstep as a symbol of his demons.
Summary:
In summary, if you appreciate a well-written historical novel
brimming with fascinating detail of the era, then I strongly recommend this
book! Personally, I loved every step of the journey and I feel that I have
learned a lot about medieval art that has given me a whole new appreciation for
the courage of our ancestors finding beauty despite hardship, and gratitude for
all the privileges we take for granted today – especially books.
Thank
you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Australia for the free electronic copy of this novel and
for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
You may also enjoy:
The Hours, by Minette Walters
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