The Dangerous Kingdom of Love
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4.7 • 12 Ratings
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- £8.99
Publisher Description
'Witty, original and clever, this tale of Jacobean power and lust is a blast' THE TIMES, Best Historical Fiction of the Year
Francis Bacon, philosopher, politician, writer, is an outsider at the court of King James I. He is clever but not aristocratic, has ambition but no money. So when his political enemies form a deadly alliance against him, centred around the King's poisonous lover Robert Carr, Bacon has no choice but to fight for his survival.
Together with the neglected Queen, Bacon resolves to find a beguiling young man who can supplant Carr in the King's bed. But as Bacon soon discovers, desire is not something that can be controlled.
Bold, irreverent and utterly original, The Dangerous Kingdom of Love is a darkly witty satire about power, and a moving queer love story that resonates through time.
'An entertaining and very funny read with something to say about both the love of power and the power of love' SUNDAY TIMES
'Brilliant ... Like Wolf Hall meets Succession ... Scandalous, politically perceptive and unexpectedly heartfelt' APPLE
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
The brilliant fourth novel by British author Blackmore is a remarkable act of literary ventriloquism, told from the perspective of 17th-century polymath Francis Bacon. The self-styled “cleverest man in England” has so far survived the deadly power games of James I’s royal court. Now can he outmanoeuvre the king’s scheming lover, Robert Carr? Our hero’s cunning plan is to replace Carr in the King’s affections with a younger model working on Bacon’s behalf. Can he pull off this audacious honeytrap? If he fails, he’ll be left to rot in the Tower Of London. Bacon’s drinking buddies include playwrights Ben Jonson and William Shakespeare. Other real-life figures pop up in gossipy cameos, while Jacobean-era England is colourfully painted. Like Wolf Hall meets Succession, this is historical fiction with topical bite and a potty mouth. Bacon’s narration is conspiratorial, clever and crude, taking us down ye olde corridors of power. Scandalous, politically perceptive and unexpectedly heartfelt in the home stretch, it barrels along like a witty, wicked period thriller.
Customer Reviews
Gripping, Fascinating and Refreshing
I could not put down this historical novel, telling a gripping story that I had not heard before. The writing is crisp and refreshing. A highly recommended read.
The Full English
It is a challenge to take on the voice of one of the finest and most intellectually challenging of English writers but by adopting a modern voice the writer succeeds. Part of a thriving genre of historical/ political/espionage novels this is different, rooted in the early Seventeenth Century but not didactic either is a most entertaining read.
Riveting read
Very illuminating novel about how difficult it was to be gay in 17th century England. Historically accurate account of the court of King zJames the sixth and first brought to life. I loved it.