An apprentice at the Globe Theatre, Alexander Cooke is one of the most famous actors in London, and he's made his mark by playing, and inspiring the creation of, some of Shakespeare's most complicated female characters. However, Sander is maturing, and soon he'll no longer be able to pull off the female roles, leaving him in a bit of a quandary about his future. Perhaps he can use some of his fame to secure a patron, such as the wealthy yet out-of-favor Earl of Essex. Meanwhile, Sander's closest friend, Joan Buckler, is yearning to earn an education and make a life for herself as a scientist and scholar, but the strict gender roles of the Elizabethan era block her from lectures and opportunities to expand her knowledge. However, when Sander makes the acquaintance of Francis Bacon, he hatches a scheme that he hopes might solve both their problems.
I loved the way that Galland took a real person about whom little is known (actor Alexander Cooke), paired him with the fictional Joan, and created a nuanced examination of gender roles and life in a story that never felt dull or dry. The sprinkling of true-to-life details with the real background characters added a bit of depth to the story, making me want to learn more about them. An excellent historical fiction with tinges of Allison Epstein's A Tip for the Hangman mixed with Shakespeare in Love.
No comments:
Post a Comment