Friday, May 15, 2009

A New Richard III Novel: This Time

One of my friends from the Richard III Society, Joan Szechtman, has written a novel about Richard III, which is due out shortly from Basset Books. It's called This Time, and it has a twist: instead of dying on Bosworth Field, Richard is brought by a team of Americans into present-day Portland, Oregon.

Normally, I don't go for time-travel, but this was an enjoyable read, not the least for Richard's various fish-out-of-water experiences as he copes with modern-day technology and modern-day mores, especially when he meets Sarah, a Jewish divorcee. Joan writes in an engaging style, with excellent dialogue, and her solution to the mystery of the Princes in the Tower, though very different from my own, is quite plausible. Richard is sympathetic without being too good to be true, and the modern-day characters are vivid and likable.

This Time, scheduled for release on June 1, is the first book in a three-book series. Ordering information (along with photographs and an assortment of Richard-related links), is on Joan's website.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a fun book - I just pre-ordered a copy.

Lynn Irwin Stewart said...

So have I -- I'm looking forward to reading it! I always enjoy reading different takes on Richard and the Princes in the Tower.

Jules Frusher said...

Sounds worth a look - despite the tottering TBR pile!

Anne Gilbert said...

I preordered the book, too, because I'm a writer myself("romantic" science fiction), and this has s-f elements in it. Besides which, although Richard III isn't the hugest interest of mine at the moment, I'm up for anything truly different, which this is. I preordered it on the strength of the chapter she posted, which, IMO, looks pretty good. I'll review it on my blog,too, once I've read it.
Anne G

Kathryn Warner said...

This one sounds really interesting, and like Lady D, I'll have to add it to my tottering TBR pile!

Susan A said...

yes, i will definitely give this a try.

Joansz said...

Thank you Susan for such a wonderful review and to everyone who has preordered the book or is considering doing so. I'm thrilled by this feedback.

I was too optimistic about when the book would be ready for distribution and now it looks like the date has to be pushed back two or three weeks. Thanks for your patience.

Joan

Tudor Daughter said...

Oh my this sounds like a terrific read. Thanks for heads up. I just added this to my TBR list.
By the way I came home from Barnes and Noble yesterday with Traitor's Wife, can't wait to get to it.

Susan Higginbotham said...

I'm sure you'll all enjoy Joan's book! Susie, nice to have you here, and thanks for buying mine!

Barbara Martin said...

Susan, this sounds just what I like: movement between time zones. Thank you for posting about this book.