The World, the Flesh and the Devil

by Reay Tannahill

In fifteenth-century Scotland, Bishop Gavin Cameron of Kinveil, the chancellor of Scotland, is determined to stop Archdeacon Columba Crozier's plot to destroy the king

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Scotland, Historical Romance, Romance, Medieval, British Literature

479 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Reay Tannahill was born on December 9, 1929 in Glasgow, Scotland, where she brought up. Her forename was the maiden name of her mother, Olive Reay. She was educated at Shawlands Academy, and obtained an MA in History and a postgraduate certificate in Social Sciences at the University of Glasgow. In 1958, she married Michael Edwardes but the marriage ended in divorce in 1983, he died in 1990. Until her death on November 2, 2007, she lived in a smart terrace house in London near Tate Britain.

Before started to write, she worked as a probation officer, advertising copywriter, newspaper reporter, historical researcher and graphic designer. She published her first non-fiction book in 1964. The international success came with the novel Food in History, her publisher suggested a companion volume on the second great human imperative, Sex in History. For her 2002 revised edition of 'Food in History, she won the Premio Letterario Internazionale Chianti Ruffino Antico Fattore. She also wrote historical romance novels, and in 1990, her novel Passing Glory won in 1990 the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association. She belonged to the Arts Club and the Authors' Club, and was chairman of the latter from 1997 to 2000.

Reviews

[Mela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Medieval historical fiction like I love. The real and fictional characters were believably and fascinating intertwined. Big events and everyday life. You name what makes a great historical novel and you will find it in this book.

Yet, there was a difference between this one and e.g. Sharon Kay Penman's or Elizabeth Chadwick's books. I am not sure, where the difference was. Still, it was a splendid journey to the middle ages.

[4.5 stars]

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book so much that I read it once a year. Reay Tannahill's capture of the droll Scottish wit is unsurpassed, although Diana Gabaldon runs close these days (and it was to Tannahill that Gabaldon sent her first Outlander novel for pre-publication comment). I so wished this had been part of a whole medieval series.

[Jane Hyland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just loved this book. It’s my favourite of Reay Tanahill’s novels and I read it over and over again.

[Sharon Turton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well can honestly say this was hard work. I don't think enough was done to engage you with the characters and it was written very... bittily - dotting about all over and I really found it hard to care what was going on. Struggle to think why anyone would want to read it more than once!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Nkem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got me down bad for real...

[Chris Lange · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, historical romance, set in rocky, wild Scotland. A very good read.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book, but A Dark and Distant Shore is by far the best of Tannahill's books.

[Catherine Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun summer read although it kind of dragged on.

[Dawn (& Ron)]

Purchased at The Bookery in Placerville, CA., June 29, 2013. Nice little haul from this pleasantly busy bookstore, had to narrow down our selections since we didn't want to overload our luggage :-(

[Trina Hollis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Lovely, historical romance, set in wild Scotland. Really enjoyed it perfect read for a long winters afternoon.