I received a free digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐1/2
I love a good ghost story, but that is not what I was expecting here so it kind of threw me off. I was expecting a book about the history of castles in England, from their beginnings up to present day. We get that here, but we also gets tons of stories of mysteries - unsolved murders, deaths of prisoners, executions, and so on.
I was anticipating much more in regards to physical histories and family histories, and there really was so much more that was paranormal. You might think it is weird that I am so hung up on that part, but it's just not what I was looking for from this book, so I think that's why I was honestly kind of annoyed.
The origin of the castle, or castellum in Latin, is so deeply imbedded in the history of England. You can't discuss the country's history without an in-depth focus on these structures. Castles are part of the landscape, and have been for 1,000 years. To not see one is far more strange.
Luckily there are so many to choose from, and whether you prefer crumbling ruins or castles that transport you back to the middle ages into a still-functioning relic of the period, everyone will find some castles of interest here.
Even this review is hard to write and I am struggling with it. The book just wasn't what I expected, and had such a heavy focus on the myths and legends, usually paranormal. I wanted to know more about architecture, builders, etc. I would have also loved more photographs.
i would have been disappointed as well. i'd like to read an architectural history of English castles...
ReplyDeleteI know, so disappointing. There's a great book on Bess of Hardwick and her building projects. it's fantastic. Devices and Desires: Bess of Hardwick and the Building of Elizabethan England by Kate Hubbard.
Deletetx, Sarah!
DeleteYou are most welcome! It really gave me some interesting insight into how buildings were constructed. There's still so much more I want to know, but this is a good place to start.
DeleteI think I'd feel similarly given just the coer and title- I wouldn't be expecting the paranormalor legendary aspects as much?
ReplyDeleteThat is my biggest gripe! NOTHING about the cover says paranormal at all. Yet that's so much of what the book was about.
DeleteIt's true. Castles are *everywhere* here. I've been to more than a few. It was *always* the preferred location for school trips - especially living so close to Wales growing up. I think Alnwick Castle is probably my favourite, although there's lots to choose from!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous. I've never been to Wales and want to go so badly. I've never been to Alnwick. Though not in England, I think Stirling is my favorite castle so far. Or Blarney. Or Urquhart. I want to see those off the beaten path though, that are less filled with tourists. There are tons on my list of Places to Take Eleanor.
DeleteI visited Edinburgh castle years ago (with college I *think*). That was my first and last Scotland trip. Cardiff castle is very good - and pretty complete. Carnarvon castle was another school trip though its a ruin (if a pretty complete ruin). Of course a lot of them were destroyed or made 'useless' during the Civil War or the Wars of the Roses. But even if half survived that'd still be hundreds. No idea how many there are still standing though - not counting present day royal residences. As I mentioned before one of my ancestors was (apparently) born in Arundel castle and fought on the Royalist side in the Civil War eventually ending up in exile in the American colonies to escape Cromwell's Commonwealth. That's definitely one period I need to know more about. Bit LATE for *you* though! [grin]
DeleteYou're that close to Scotland, and only been once??!! Stirling is absolutely beautiful. I want to see Cardiff, and Carnarvon. Basically all the castles that Dan Jones showcased in Secrets of Great British Castles, and then some. I also love Holyrood, though it's a palace and not a castle. Bit overwhelming to be standing in the place where Rizzio was stabbed a hundred times. The abbey is ruins now, but still stunning. Honestly, I prefer ruins over restoration (except in the case of Stirling). I think I would just rather see it as history left it, instead of seeing our modern interpretation of what we think it should look like.
DeleteThe connection to Arundel is really cool, I remember talking about it before. You've got so much in your family history still to explore too, who knows what else you will find!
And you are right about that - too modern for my taste!
Well, presently Scotland is around 350 miles away.... and then there's the zombie apocalypse to consider.... [grin] Wales is a LOT closer now. Recently I was travelling to Cardiff most weeks when I was doing my MA. Indeed I walked past the castle most times I was there (I've been inside at least twice).
ReplyDeleteDelving into my family history was a TOTAL revelation. I'm still processing it. There's SO much to explore and SO much I don't know about the periods, locations and all the things that were happening @ street level at the time. I'm planning to read up about as much as I can about it in the next year or so.
350 miles is a lot closer than 3,600!! I can't wait to see Wales, it is something I am looking forward to big time. Cardiff. I would love to learn a spot of Welsh but I have a feeling that will go as well as my trying to pick up Latin did.
DeleteI want to do the 23 and Me; I have learned tons by helping my grandpa with his account but there's so much more for me to learn about myself and both sides of my family. I am enjoying reading about your journey, it has gone in so many directions!
A (Welsh) friend of mine was learning Welsh some years ago. I did feel sad that he didn't know his own language. It's definitely not an easy language to pick up though! It's nice hearing people speak it when you're just walking around in Cardiff. It's a VERY musical sounding language.
DeleteI never imagined in a million years where my family tree ended up - Utah, Barbados... all over... Mostly *very* mundane but a few high-flyers mixed in. I had really no expectation of going SO far back. The 1st national census was in 1801 and I was fully expecting to go back that far and no further. I was *astounded* to be able to go back to the 16th century! I would never have thought that one of my ancestors sat in Elizabeth I's parliament and another fought - as an ADMIRAL - for both Charles I and Charles II. Stunned is the word!
It really is a beautiful language, I would love to hear fluent speakers conversing. I have serious doubts that I would ever progress beyond cursory words like, hello and thank you.
DeleteIt really is amazing, isn't it? I just finished a book called How to Argue with a Racist and while yes it addresses mainly how race is really just a social construct, it takes a deep look at how many common ancestors we have. For that alone I think it would be interesting to you.