Turtledove, Harry. Ruled Britannia; a novel of alternate history.TURTLEDOVE turtledove: see pigeon. turtledove Species (Streptopelia turtur, family Columbidae) of migratory European pigeon that winters in northern Africa. It is about 11 in. (28 cm) long and has a reddish brown body, blue-gray head, and white-tipped tail. , Harry. Ruled Britannia; a novel of alternate history. Penguin, Roc. 458p. c2002. 0-451-46084-7. $15.00. SA Alternative history at its finest! What if the Spanish Armada won and Britain is now under Spanish occupation? William Shakespeare is approached by the resistance to prepare a play to serve as the call to arms to rise up in support of Good Queen Bess, held captive in the Tower of London Tower of London, ancient fortress in London, England, just east of the City and on the north bank of the Thames, covering about 13 acres (5.3 hectares). Now used mainly as a museum, it was a royal residence in the Middle Ages. . And at the same time, Will is also approached by the Spaniards to prepare a play to honor King Philip, who lies upon his deathbed. Compelling historical changes, spot-on Elizabethan (or would it be Hispanician?) language, and superb characterization provide much for history buffs. Most impressive is the author's use of snippets from the works of Shakespeare and his contemporaries to formulate the text segments of the two plays "Shakespeare" creates (for Philip and Queen Bess). They fooled me until I read the afterword where Turtledove admits they are not his own work, but cobbled cob·ble 1 n. 1. A cobblestone. 2. Geology A rock fragment between 64 and 256 millimeters in diameter, especially one that has been naturally rounded. 3. cobbles See cob coal. tr. together from Elizabethan-era works. A warning: Christopher Marlowe barely escapes England after being accused of buggery The criminal offense of anal or oral copulation by penetration of the male organ into the anus or mouth of another person of either sex or copulation between members of either sex with an animal. Buggery is historically referred to as a "crime against nature. and the language is "salty," as Shakespeare's plays can be. Whether YAs catch all the references will depend upon their level of sophistication so·phis·ti·cate v. so·phis·ti·cat·ed, so·phis·ti·cat·ing, so·phis·ti·cates v.tr. 1. To cause to become less natural, especially to make less naive and more worldly. 2. . Sherry Hoy, Lib. Media Spec., Tuscarora JHS JHS Junior High School JHS Jefferson High School JHS Jacksonville High School (Jacksonville, Alabama) JHS Journal of Hellenic Studies JHS Jordan High School (Sandy, Utah) , Mifflintown, PA S--Recommended for senior high school students. A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools were there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT'S usefulness in public libraries. |
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