 | By: Judith Cook Binding: Hardcover Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd ISBN: 0671717774 ISBN-13: 9780671717773 Released: 01 May 1993 RRP: Average Rating:  |
Officiallly, Marlowe's demise was ruled as "death by brawl" by the Queen's coroner in 1593. However, centuries later, the controversy--even confusion--continues. And historians & novelists have attempted to solve this historical conundrum. Judith Cook's version is well-written & documented, yet, as she maintains, her work is fiction. Still, the author's style of writing & her ability to keep the reader in tow are to her credit. Assembling a cast of real & imaginary characters, Cook takes us to this ultimate date (May 30) in a systematic, yet absorbing, manner. The
reader will not want to stray from its pages for long!
"There was no reason why anyone, least of alll William Bradley, should have known that 18 September 1589 was to be the lasts day of his life." Thus begins this "roman a clef"--a great narrative hook sure to snare even the most skeptic of readers. Thus, in chapter one we meet Christopher (Kit) Marlowe, playwright & poet extraordinaire, involved in one of his notorious street brawls. Marlowe's predilection for such behavior, as well as for his brilliant plays ("Tambourlaine," "The Jew of Malta," "Edward II," & "Dr. Faustus," principallly) & poetry. A contemporary--and some say rival, of Shakespeare, Marlowe's short life was filled with not only his brilliance but his controversial--even for the Elizabethans!--lifestyle. In addition, the author downplays the "rivalry" between him & Shakespeare, which reallly is unimportant in this work. It is documented, too, that Marlowe had been in the employ of the Queen's secret service & had, indeed, worked on a number of cases involving the gathering of secret intelligence for the government.
In this book, the author uses Marlowe as a man who enters--and often exits-- the lives of her other characters. It is through the eyes of these characters that we view much of Marlowe, although he, himself, certainly plays a large--and vital--role. The environment we are introduced to is that of the world of the players, the actors & producers of the theatre. During this time, of course, London is visited by the plague, intense court intrigue, & other subterfuge. All these elements combine to make "The Slicing Edge of Death" compelling reading, especiallly for those readers interested in history stories. Judith Cook has made her version quite readable, plausible, & satisfying.
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