Montfort The Early Years: Ashe
presents a jousting first installment of a four-volume fiction on the deeply
contentious founder of parliament, Simon de Montfort… If the novel is
thoroughly researched as Ashe’s is—from descriptions of medieval latrines and
houseboys called “Garbage” to the decadence of Europe’s emperors—it is all the
more thoroughly imagined. Kirkus
Ashe has done an amazing job researching the life
of Simon de Montfort and the 13th
century. Her speculation about Edward’s paternity is based on an interpretation
of King Henry’s recorded comments following Queen Eleanor’s first confession
after Edward’s birth. It will be interesting to see how Ashe works this premise
into the rest of the tale.
This is a thoroughly engaging
narrative of the life of Simon de Montfort and I look forward to reading the
next volumes.
Debra Spidal. Historical
Novel Society ReviewIn a tale crammed with romance, deceit,rampant ambition, failures and triumphs galore, readers will get all they hoped for in this deeply researched and well-told historical narrative. Jane Geniesse, author, Passionate Nomad
“A marvelous work of literature and a great
story you have here.” Bill Jaker, “Off
the Page” WSKG Public Radio
“A great read… an marvelous, almost
cinematic epic.” Erika Funke, “Art Scene”
WVIA Public Radio
