Review: King's Fool


King's Fool, by Margaret Campbell Barnes


What better way to celebrate April Fool's Day than a closer look at Margaret Campbell Barnes' novel, King's Fool: A Notorious King, His Six Wives, and the One Man Who Knew All Their Secrets?
Yes, I know, ol' Henry the VIII and his surplus of wives has been a bit overdone as of late. But this one was originally published in 1959 and Barnes knew what she was doing here.
The tale is told by Will Somers, a man who had a remarkably well-documented career as the King's fool from early in Henry's reign all the way through to his death. (Sound familiar? Margaret George used a similar idea for her 1986 novel, Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers.)


Henry and Will




The result is a compelling, highly readable portrait of a man who, in his early years, was truly and legitimately concerned with the production of a male heir. He emerges as a man, not the legend: a remarkable and accomplished man who had his fair share of weaknesses and faults.

Intertwined with Henry's story is a compelling look at Will Somers himself. From his humble beginnings as a lowly farmboy of no significance to his incredible rise at court, the King's fool himself is a fascinating character and well worth the read here.

Do you think the cover art depicting a woman missing her head is a coincidence?

Neither do we.

Sourcebooks Landmark (one of our favorite publishers!) is re-releasing this historical fiction staple today, April 1, 2009. If you enjoy Tudor history, you won't be disappointed in this one!


Of course, if you're interested in reading this one, you could always leave A Reader's Respite a comment here and on Monday, April 6th, our blog secretary will draw a random winner!




Title: King's Fool: A Notorious King, His Six Wives, and the One Man Who Knew Their Secrets
Author: Margaret Campbell Barnes
ISBN-13: 978-1402219023
320 pages
Publisher: Sourcemarks Landmark
Date: April 1, 2009


For my research-inclined readers, some more reviews:

Medieval Bookworm
Passages to the Past
Kittling: Books
historical-fiction.com
The Tome Traveller
Giving Reading a Chance
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53 comments:

  1. Passages to the PastApril 1, 2009 at 10:34 AM

    Great review! I like the picture you found too! Ha - and I never made the connection between the release date and the name...funny!

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  2. AnonymousApril 1, 2009 at 11:08 AM

    I'm still waiting to see if the library will decide to purchase it. However, I'll enter the drawing here as well and keep my fingers crossed.

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  3. Nicole (Linus's Blanket)April 1, 2009 at 11:46 AM

    I have been waiting to read this one since My Lady of Cleves, which I loved. Please enter me.

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  4. Jen - devourer of booksApril 1, 2009 at 11:49 AM

    I posted my review today too but, you know, the thing about the cover art never occurred to me, although I was thinking the same thing about King's Fool/April Fools this morning. Good call.

    Oh, and you don't need to enter me since I already have the book.

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  5. MargApril 1, 2009 at 12:44 PM

    I would like to go into the draw for this one as long as you don't mind sending overseas.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jo-JoApril 1, 2009 at 2:57 PM

    Thanks for the review Michele...I would love to be entered in your drawing!

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  7. Beth FApril 1, 2009 at 3:03 PM

    I've been interested in this one -- I read George's King Fool a few years ago. I bet this is good. I'd love to go in the draw for the book.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sandy NawrotApril 1, 2009 at 3:26 PM

    Please inform your secretary of my interest in your drawing! I don't read much of this genre, but now is as good as any to start!

    ReplyDelete
  9. DaphneApril 1, 2009 at 4:12 PM

    This is one of Barnes' books that I don't have. Please enter me in the drawing!

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  10. Anita DavisonApril 2, 2009 at 5:26 AM

    Being an avid Tudor fan, this is one book I have never seen, let alone read. I hpe to put that right. I loved P Gregory's 'The Queen's Fool' where the perspective of the royal court as seen through a commoner is a fascinating one.
    There is a new exhibition of Henry VIII at the Tower of London this summer that I blogged about at http://thedisorganisedauthor.blogspot.com

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  11. HaleyApril 2, 2009 at 5:27 AM

    What is it about Tudor history anyway? So fascinating, enter me please!

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  12. TexasRedApril 2, 2009 at 5:49 AM

    This sounds great. What a perfect pick for April Fools Day!

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  13. CherylS22April 2, 2009 at 10:03 AM

    Good review - makes me want to read this book!

    Please count me in - Thanks!
    Cheryl
    megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  14. DarleneApril 2, 2009 at 10:12 AM

    I have seen so many good reviews of this lately. I want to read it for sure so please have your blog secretary enter me in your giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Passages to the PastApril 2, 2009 at 10:28 AM

    Hey chickie! You've got an award waiting for you at my place!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ladytink_534April 2, 2009 at 2:47 PM

    Oh! I want this SO bad! I was planning on re-reading my falling apart version of A Brief Gaudy Hour before too much longer and I would love to read one of her other books too!

    ReplyDelete
  17. The Tome TravellerApril 2, 2009 at 5:49 PM

    Thanks for the link, Michele! No need to enter me :)

    Carey

    ReplyDelete
  18. BlodeueddApril 2, 2009 at 11:41 PM

    Is this an international contest?
    If so then count me in

    ReplyDelete
  19. AmandaApril 3, 2009 at 5:54 AM

    I love the spin on this novel. It's an unusual perspective. Sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  20. LindaApril 3, 2009 at 6:01 AM

    Will Somers has appeared in a couple of historical fiction books I've read. It will be fun to read more in depth about him. Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  21. BettyApril 3, 2009 at 7:02 AM

    Great review. I love the architecture of that period. :D And the stories that abound! Thanks for giving a copy away. I'd love to get my hands on it.

    bethanne at bethannestrasser dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. MelissaApril 3, 2009 at 8:26 AM

    I'm just starting to read more Tudor HF, so thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  23. RachelApril 3, 2009 at 10:31 AM

    Please enter me! I've been looking forward to this book!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Paula HessApril 3, 2009 at 12:06 PM

    Loved your review. This is one of the books I am missing by this author. Would love to read it. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway.

    pjhess55@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. BridgetApril 3, 2009 at 2:00 PM

    Hi! No need to enter me, just popping by to say that I posted this on Win A Book.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Jake LApril 3, 2009 at 2:05 PM

    sounds like a good read, I'd love to be entered into the drawing.

    jakewoodworth@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. VanessaApril 3, 2009 at 2:41 PM

    Henry VIII is SO not sexy in his portraits... yikes.

    Please include me in this giveaway.

    gypsyrover21(at)yahoo(dot)ca

    ReplyDelete
  28. Debs DeskApril 3, 2009 at 3:28 PM

    Please include me in your giveaway.
    Thanks
    debbie
    debdesk9@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  29. BurtonReview April 3, 2009 at 4:54 PM

    Another goodie on my TBR pile that I would LOVE to own.. Please enter me.
    Marie
    marieburton2004 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. PamelaHDApril 3, 2009 at 7:35 PM

    This looks great. I had forgotten about The Autobiography of Henry VIII. I loved it when I read it.

    ReplyDelete
  31. ValorieApril 3, 2009 at 7:45 PM

    I've been reading a lot of Tudor historical fiction lately. It's quite good. And I see Will Somers popping up as a background comment quite frequently.

    I'd love to win this book!

    Valorie
    morbidromantic@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Kat BryanApril 3, 2009 at 9:40 PM

    This sounds like an interesting story no matter when you draw the winner.

    "on Monday, April 5th, our blog secretary will draw a random winner!"

    Did you mean SUNDAY, the 5th or Monday, the 6TH? :-)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Teddy RoseApril 3, 2009 at 10:50 PM

    I loved this one! No need to enter me. I blogged about your giveaway on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  34. ♔ jessica.marieApril 3, 2009 at 11:52 PM

    I would absolutely love a chance to read this book!
    Thank you for the opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
  35. avalonne83April 4, 2009 at 2:38 AM

    Please enter me in the contest. Thanks.

    avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

    ReplyDelete
  36. kalea_kaneApril 4, 2009 at 2:50 AM

    Wonderful review, and might I say that your blog secretary is looking quite fetching today? ;)

    Thanks for the great giveaway.

    kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  37. KRApril 4, 2009 at 4:33 AM

    This sounds interesting. Thanks!

    mj.coward[at]gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. KayeApril 4, 2009 at 5:13 AM

    Memo to secretary: Please enter following wannabe winner in contest. Thanks! :)

    florida982002[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Gwendolyn B.April 4, 2009 at 6:53 AM

    Wow! This sounds wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  40. CassieApril 4, 2009 at 7:06 AM

    I'd love an entry. Will Somers is such a great character choice.

    ReplyDelete
  41. LindseyApril 4, 2009 at 7:57 AM

    This sounds like an interesting book - I would love to read it! It would be my first by the author. I haven't read much Tudor fiction but I'm thinking I'm missing out based on others' love for it!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladyufshalott at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. ShelleyApril 4, 2009 at 8:02 AM

    This one looks really good! I would love a chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  43. MicheleApril 4, 2009 at 6:12 PM

    Answers:

    1. Yes, of course A Reader's Respite ships internationally!

    2. Ooops, sorry about the date thing. We're addlepated. That's Monday the 6th, of course!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Wendy aka MisswendikiApril 4, 2009 at 7:42 PM

    I can never get enough of Henry VIII! I'd love to win.

    ReplyDelete
  45. AmberApril 4, 2009 at 7:50 PM

    As a history buff, I would love to read this!
    Thanks for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  46. teabirdApril 4, 2009 at 8:55 PM

    This sounds wonderful - please enter me.

    teabird 17 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. S. KrishnaApril 4, 2009 at 10:28 PM

    I really want to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  48. LlehnApril 5, 2009 at 5:26 AM

    This sounds intriguing! I would love to read it!

    Lesley

    ReplyDelete
  49. The Budgeting DivaApril 5, 2009 at 7:19 PM

    I am really interested in reading this one. Please put me in te drawing.

    ReplyDelete
  50. AnonymousApril 5, 2009 at 9:06 PM

    Please enter me. This sounds good. Thanks!

    tiffanyak1986(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  51. LanaApril 8, 2009 at 5:29 AM

    I really enjoyed reading both the book and your review! I've linked to you here

    ReplyDelete
  52. MarieApril 8, 2009 at 6:56 AM

    Thanks for the review, I love books about Henry VIII and would enjoy reading this one I'm sure!

    vmlay@artsci.wustl.edu

    ReplyDelete
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