This is the first, "Alternate History", book I have read as they have not appealed to me. But the premise of the Spanish Armada successful invading Britain, with England relying on Shakespeare to save the day, piqued my interest. Some excellent characterization, plotting and wit. Well worth reading.
This book was recommended by a friend, and I enjoyed it very much.
It is a "what if" novel, as in, what if the English had not defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588?
I'm quite certain this is going to appear in the sci-fi or fantasy genre - readers take note, the only thing that even remotely fits those categories is the premise. Otherwise, this reads like exceptionally good historical fiction. And it's a thick book, for those avaid readers out there!
I'm including a review from a reader at Amazon.com:
"_Ruled Britannia_ is Turtledove's best stand-alone book in the last few years. In fact, it's an absolute delight, not least because of the gorgeous amount of Shakespearean language (much of it directly adapted from the Bard's own works, indeed - trying to guess which plays or poems a certain line came from is a big part of the fun) and because of the depth and affection with which Turtledove depicts his alt-hist Shakespeare and his Spanish opposite number Lope de Vega (a famous real-life playwright who, in the novel, is a junior officer in the Spanish occupation force who much prefers to spend his time hanging with Master Will and his cronies, or else in pursuing and bedding English beauties). Turtledove might have been accused in some instances recently of padding his work, or phoning it in, but not this time around. Along with _Guns of the South_, I can hardly think of a better introduction to the good Professor's work."
It is a "what if" novel, as in, what if the English had not defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588?
I'm quite certain this is going to appear in the sci-fi or fantasy genre - readers take note, the only thing that even remotely fits those categories is the premise. Otherwise, this reads like exceptionally good historical fiction. And it's a thick book, for those avaid readers out there!
I'm including a review from a reader at Amazon.com:
"_Ruled Britannia_ is Turtledove's best stand-alone book in the last few years. In fact, it's an absolute delight, not least because of the gorgeous amount of Shakespearean language (much of it directly adapted from the Bard's own works, indeed - trying to guess which plays or poems a certain line came from is a big part of the fun) and because of the depth and affection with which Turtledove depicts his alt-hist Shakespeare and his Spanish opposite number Lope de Vega (a famous real-life playwright who, in the novel, is a junior officer in the Spanish occupation force who much prefers to spend his time hanging with Master Will and his cronies, or else in pursuing and bedding English beauties). Turtledove might have been accused in some instances recently of padding his work, or phoning it in, but not this time around. Along with _Guns of the South_, I can hardly think of a better introduction to the good Professor's work."
