Fortune's Wheel
Published on 7. November 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
270 pages
978-1-78132-582-7 (ISBN)
Description
Plague-widow Alice atte Wode is desperate to find her missing daughter, but her neighbours are rebelling against their masters and their mutiny is hindering the search. June 1349. In a Hampshire village, the worst plague in England's history has wiped out half its population, including Alice atte Wode's husband and eldest son. The plague arrived only days after Alice's daughter Agnes mysteriously disappeared, and it prevented the search for her. Now the plague is over, the village is trying to return to normal life, but it's hard, with so much to do and so few left to do it. Conflict is growing between the manor and its tenants, as the workers realise their very scarceness means they're more valuable than before: they can demand higher wages, take on spare land, and have a better life. This is the chance they've all been waiting for. Although she understands their demands, Alice is disheartened that the search for Agnes is once more put on hold. When one of the rebels is killed, and then the lord's son is found murdered, it seems the two deaths may be connected, both to each other and to Agnes's disappearance.
Reviews / Votes
"Historical fiction at its best! This was a very enjoyable read and very well written. The author certainly knew her subject and had obviously spent a great deal of time in researching. It's just a shame when I came to the last page."- Jeannette S., NetGalley Reviewer.; "Carolyn Hughes's depiction of fourteenth century England in Fortune's Wheel is rich with detail, yet does not get mired in concentrating on the nuances of the old language. Contemporary dialogue does not take away from the story, but actually makes it a more pleasurable experience as we are allowed to concentrate on the mental images of the world these people lived in. Certainly a well-written historical novel, the pace is not rapid-fire but steady and strong. An easy to read historical novel with strong characters that many times seem contemporary."-Dianne B., NetGalley Reviewer; "It was refreshing to read this tale from the perspective of three of the surviving women. I feel women are under-represented in historical events. I noticed three themes run through this story; a labor movement, the plight of women, and religious oppression. For me, it started slowly, but about halfway, I got a feel for the characters, cared about them and wanted to know what would happen next. Fortune's Wheel is an enjoyable novel that highlights the strength and resilience of women to persevere in the worst of times." - Kim W., NetGalley Reviewer; "Would be a great book for a book group!"- Ruth M., NetGalley Reviewer; "This is probably in my top 5 favorite books this year. I really wish more series of books or books that focus around multiple POV's or even ones with a very diverse line of characters would have these as it sometimes makes the lengthier stories a little easier to follow and gives you a teaser of what's to come. The writing in this novel blew me away! Carolyn has definitely done her research for this book and gives a wonderful spin on history. I actually learned a lot from this book. I found myself rushing to my computer to do my own research just to learn more after I reached this books end. The characters in this novel were very complex and each one brought their own powerful punch to the book. They were well paced and their own background and family style was intriguing to read, even if not heartbreaking at times. Overall I give this book 10 out of 5 stars." - Laura H., NetGalley Reviewer; "`Fortune's Wheel' is a very absorbing read, I recommend it strongly to every reader who is interested in the life of ordinary people in the Middle Ages and I would very much like to follow the stories of Margaret, Alice and Eleanor in the second volume." - Barbara S., NetGalley Reviewer.More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-78132-582-7 (9781781325827)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Carolyn Hughes was born in London, but has lived most of her life in Hampshire. After completing a degree in Classics and English, she started her working life as a computer programmer, in those days a very new profession. But it was when she discovered technical authoring that she knew she had found her vocation. She spent the next few decades writing and editing all sorts of material, some fascinating, some dull, for a wide variety of clients, including an international hotel group, medical instrument manufacturers and the government. She has written creatively for most of her adult life, but it was not until her children grew up and flew the nest several years ago that writing historical fiction, took centre stage in her life. She has a Master's in Creative Writing from Portsmouth University and a PhD from the University of Southampton. 'Fortune's Wheel' is her first published novel.