As I was browsing for another book to read I ran across my digital copy of The Adventures of Alianore Audley (2005 edition, first released in Australia). I loved this book when I first read it in 2006. Brian Wainwright must have had fun writing this book that is full of biting wit and sarcastic humor because I most certainly had fun reading it.
The Adventures of Alianore Audley is a historical romp set in the 15th Century. The author states on his blog that he has a keen interest in the medieval House of York. Our narrator, the young Alianore Audley, shares many of her adventures with us that includes spying for her cousin, King Edward IV for the Yorkist cause. She also shares her disdain for those “Woodvilles” and spares nothing in giving her opinion on the events that led to the War of the Roses that secured that “Tudor slimbag” Henry Tudor to the throne.
This is a fast read with most of the dialogue in here rather tongue-in-cheek. Alianore’s adventures begin when she is selected to be a pupil for Lady Tegolin at age ten. She believes Alianore is gifted and asks her parents permission to educate her in exchange for cancelling her feudal debt. Just to give you a taste of some of the exchanges/dialogue you can find in here check out these brief scene(s):
“One night, as we sat by the fire, she asked what I could see in it.
“Sticks burning. Smoke. Flames. Ash.” I said.
or this scene where Lady Tegolin gets frustrated with her pupil:
“If only you could overcome your handicap! I can see your power. It glows around you. Do you not feel it?”
“I feel a draught from the door.”
My favorite scene [out of many] is this one, where Alianore is at the convent and discovers a body lying in the grass. She suspects foul play “by a heavy blow from a blunt instrument.”
“This proves nothing,” said the Prioress, airily. “You are wasting time, child, which could be better devoted to our prayers for this unfortunate man’s soul.”
“There’s one other small piece of evidence,” I continued, standing up again. “You obviously dressed in some degree of haste. No doubt that’s why you’re wearing his drawers on your head instead of your wimple.”The Prioress ripped off her unsuitable headdress and threw it was far away from her as her strength allowed. Do you know, she was not the least bit amused.
This book is digitized and available at your favorite retailer for ebooks. It’s non-agency priced as well. I’m told this is the only book of his that has this type of humor and writing style. I’ve eyed his other book but never bought it, Within the Fetterlock but I would if it was digitized. However, his backlist remains very tiny with only two books listed in his bibliography. Anyway, this is a fun book that I highly recommend. The story is told in first person narrative and while the author seems quite knowledgeable of his period, anachronisms are scattered throughout for the “modern reader.”
Bibliography:
Within the Fetterlock (2004)
The Adventures of Alianore Audley (2005)
Alianore Audley is one of my very favourite fictional characters – although the way Brian writes, makes her flesh and blood. A truly great book which I treasure. Great fun.
Yes, he did do a good job with writing her character. I wish he would write more.
Sounds SOOO cool! Thanks for sharing!
Digital, non-agency and funny? Along with your recommendation, that makes it a must-have. Thanks for mentioning it.
and I failed to mention DRM free – hope you like it Darlynne
Sounds interesting, Especially as my kindle is charged up which is a rare occurance. I will look for it now..