Set in a vividly imagined 14th-century London, A Burnable Book by Bruce Holsinger combines historical fiction, political intrigue, and literary mystery into a complex and engaging narrative. This novel does not merely recreate the past it uses its setting as a springboard to explore issues of power, secrecy, sexuality, and the potency of literature. Rich in period detail and populated with real historical figures, the novel weaves a suspenseful story centered on a dangerous manuscript, rumored to predict the deaths of English kings. As the plot unfolds through a cast of interconnected characters, readers are drawn into a web of deception and ambition where a single book could determine the fate of an empire.
Setting and Historical Context
The novel takes place during the reign of King Richard II, a time marked by political instability and growing unrest. London is portrayed as both grand and grimy a city of cathedrals and cutthroats. The backdrop includes court politics, the tension between England and its enemies, and the anxieties of a monarch who is growing increasingly paranoid about his rule. Bruce Holsinger, a medieval scholar himself, builds a historically accurate world while introducing fictional elements to enhance the tension and mystery.
The Role of Literature and Power
At the center of the novel is a mysterious, handwritten book that appears to contain poems. However, the text is far more than mere verse it’s a coded prophecy that supposedly names future kings of England and the precise manner of their deaths. Possessing the book becomes a matter of life or death. Holsinger cleverly uses this plot device to examine the dangerous power of words. In the medieval world of the novel, books are rare, powerful objects, and this one in particular could bring down kings or change the course of history. The novel’s title, A Burnable Book, references both the incendiary nature of its content and the broader theme of censorship and control over knowledge.
Main Characters and Their Motivations
John Gower
One of the central figures in the novel is the poet John Gower, a real-life contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer. In Holsinger’s novel, Gower is not only a literary man but also a spy and information broker. He is asked by Chaucer to find the lost manuscript and soon becomes entangled in a dangerous hunt through London’s underworld. Gower’s motivations are complex part loyalty to Chaucer, part personal ambition, and part desire to protect the realm. His investigation uncovers layers of corruption, betrayal, and hidden agendas.
Geoffrey Chaucer
Chaucer also appears in the novel, not as a poet alone but as a court figure with his own secrets. His relationship with Gower is multifaceted rivalrous, respectful, and fraught with tension. While Chaucer initiates the search for the burnable book, it becomes clear he has deeper motives that he conceals even from Gower. His character adds richness to the story by blurring the lines between literature and politics.
Eleanor Rykener
One of the most compelling characters is Eleanor Rykener, a cross-dressing prostitute with a talent for navigating the dangerous alleys of London. Inspired by a real historical figure, Eleanor brings a unique perspective to the story and plays a crucial role in the unfolding mystery. Through her, Holsinger explores themes of gender, sexuality, and survival in a rigidly hierarchical society. Her intelligence, resilience, and insider knowledge make her indispensable in the quest for the book.
The Plot’s Development
The Manuscript’s Discovery
The novel begins when a boy messenger discovers a bloodstained corpse outside the city walls and finds a leather-bound book beside it. From this moment, the plot rapidly develops as various parties seek to obtain or destroy the manuscript. Rumors of the book’s prophecies spread through the city, sparking fear among nobles and commoners alike.
Political Intrigue and Espionage
As Gower investigates, he uncovers a complex network of informants, noble families, foreign agents, and mercenaries all with their own stakes in the book’s fate. The plot thickens with coded messages, secret meetings, and shifting loyalties. Suspicion spreads as Gower finds that even those closest to him may be manipulating events for their own ends. The line between friend and enemy becomes increasingly blurred.
Race Against Time
As the threat of exposure grows, Gower and his allies must outmaneuver powerful forces who are willing to kill to keep the manuscript hidden. The tension builds toward a dramatic climax in which the future of the monarchy and Gower’s own life hang in the balance. Through this fast-paced conclusion, Holsinger ties together historical facts with fictional suspense to deliver a satisfying resolution.
Major Themes and Literary Style
The Dangerous Power of Knowledge
A key theme in A Burnable Book is the immense power that knowledge and especially secret knowledge holds in shaping history. The book-within-the-book is a symbol of forbidden truth, and its very existence threatens those in power. Characters risk their lives to control or destroy it, underscoring how dangerous the written word can be in the wrong hands or at the wrong time.
Gender and Identity
Through characters like Eleanor Rykener, Holsinger also explores the fluidity of gender and the restrictions placed upon individuals in medieval society. Eleanor’s survival strategy disguising herself and adapting her identity shows how marginalized people used their wit and resourcefulness to navigate rigid social systems.
Fiction and History
Blending real-life historical figures like Gower and Chaucer with imagined scenarios, Holsinger crafts a narrative that is both historically grounded and artistically inventive. His literary style is accessible yet richly detailed, balancing suspenseful storytelling with scholarly insight. The novel’s dialogue and descriptions evoke the sights, smells, and sounds of medieval London, immersing the reader completely in the time period.
A Burnable Book is more than just a historical novel it is a literary thriller that reflects on the power of language, the fragility of truth, and the complexities of human desire. With its richly drawn characters, intricate plot, and authentic medieval setting, Bruce Holsinger’s novel invites readers into a world where secrets can kill and books can change the fate of a kingdom. This intricate story offers both entertainment and thought-provoking commentary, making it a standout work of historical fiction that resonates with contemporary readers as much as with those interested in the medieval past.