John James (7) (1923–1993)

This is the first book by John James that I have read (although I've now stacked up Votan and Not for All the Gold in Ireland for future reading) and I have to say that I enjoyed it tremendously. Where many historical novels fail to give you a sense of the times in which they are set, John James's grasp of the mindset of Dark Age Britain has a rare ring of truth. And it is, in parts, quite hilariously funny:

And while you are ashore... if there come to you out of dark corners and hidden alleyways, women painted to the lips and cheeks and other places I will not mention... shimmering in dyed and patterned clothes,perfumed with musk and smells unimaginable,and glittering in gold and garnets,whispering foul allurements and pressing invitations of the utmost and lepidopterous prurience such as are explicitly forbidden in great detail by Holy Writ - then follow them fast, boys, because you will find none like them in Bedwehlty!

A delight.… (mer)