Carrell, Jennifer Lee. Interred with Their Bones. Although I was quite interested in the theories about who may have written Shakespeare's plays if not Shakespeare himself, the book was too long, too fantastic, too full of unnecessary and unrealistic murders.
I did find the information on Delia Bacon (friend of Nathaniel Hawthorn) fascinating; Bacon was the first to propose the theory that the plays were written not by Shakespeare, but by Francis Bacon, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Edmund Spenser. Of course, other alternative authors such as Marlowe and the Earl of Oxford, are also mentioned. The historical information is intriguing and Carrell, who holds a Ph.D. in English and American literature from Harvard and taught in both the history and literature programs there, is certainly up on her history. I'd never heard that Frances Howard was tried for murdering Sir Thomas Overbury with some poisoned tarts, but found several interesting accounts online, here is one.
At any rate, Carrell's scholarship may be excellent, but I found the plot far-fetched and overly complicated and the characters pretty thin. While I do love theories about the authorship of the plays, I also agree with Sir Henry in preferring to believe that a "third-rate player" (according to Delia Bacon) actually could have written the plays because like Sir Henry, I like the idea that genius can flower anywhere.
Fiction. Mystery. 2007. 416 pages.
Well, it's too bad the book wasn't better because it sounds like it could be quite interesting. But just because you know the history doesn't mean you can write an historical novel, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteDorothy -- I agree and wish the story had been better because I love the inclusion of historical mysteries and current theories. Still, I bet she had great fun writing it.
ReplyDeleteI love your comment about genius flowering anywhere, Jenclair!
ReplyDeleteI love hearing theories about who wrote Shakespeare's plays, but I always go back to my own, that "genius can flower anywhere" and Shakespeare was Shakespeare! Doubt I'll read the book, but thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteKaren - not an original thought, however. I tried to locate the origin of the phrase, but couldn't. I actually thought it was from Elegy in a Country Churchyard, but although the idea is there, the phrase is not. Sir Henry makes the comment in the book, but it is a common phrase and often associated with Shakespeare.
ReplyDeleteI've never really understood why some people are so intent on discrediting Shakespeare for writing the plays. Maybe this book would enlighten me, but unfortunately it sounds like something I wouldn't make it through.
ReplyDeleteThis is on my library list, but I have been hesitant about requesting it. Glad to hear your take on it.
ReplyDeleteJeane -- I enjoy the theories, but "the play's the thing"!
ReplyDeleteDanielle -- I wouldn't mind hearing what someone else thought, but it was a disappointment for me.
I had thought about this as a possibility for my mystery discussion group, but I think that I'll resist the temptation.
ReplyDeleteJill -- I'm sure some people would love it, but it sure didn't appeal to me.
ReplyDeleteI read it for BiblioShakespeare's Shakespeare Challenge and have to agree with you - too complicated, too many unnecessary deaths, good Shakespeare history but, let's just say, I'm glad I checked it out of the library instead of buying it.
ReplyDeletePamela -- I was glad it was a library book, too!
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