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Shakespeare's Rebel
To be (or not to be) the man to save England
England's finest swordsman and fight choreographer at the magnificent new Globe Theatre has hit rock bottom. John Lawley just wants to win back his beloved, become a decent father to his son, and help his friend William Shakespeare finish The Tragedy of Hamlet, the play that threatens to destroy him.
But all is not fair in love and war. Dogged by his three devils-whiskey, women, and Mad Robbie Deveraux-John is dragged by Queen Elizabeth herself into a dangerous game of politics, conspiracy, and rebellion. Will the hapless swordsman figure out how to save England before it's too late?
Brimming with vivid periodic detail, Shakespearean drama, and irresistible wit, Shakespeare's Rebel is a thrilling romp through the romantic, revolutionary times of Elizabethan England that will delight historical fiction fans and Shakespeare enthusiasts alike.
To be (or not to be) the man to save England
England's finest swordsman and fight choreographer at the magnificent new Globe Theatre has hit rock bottom. John Lawley just wants to win back his beloved, become a decent father to his son, and help his friend William Shakespeare finish The Tragedy of Hamlet, the play that threatens to destroy him.
But all is not fair in love and war. Dogged by his three devils-whiskey, women, and Mad Robbie Deveraux-John is dragged by Queen Elizabeth herself into a dangerous game of politics, conspiracy, and rebellion. Will the hapless swordsman figure out how to save England before it's too late?
Brimming with vivid periodic detail, Shakespearean drama, and irresistible wit, Shakespeare's Rebel is a thrilling romp through the romantic, revolutionary times of Elizabethan England that will delight historical fiction fans and Shakespeare enthusiasts alike.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published March 14, 2013
22 people are currently reading
558 people want to read
About the author
C.C. Humphreys
29 books428 followersaka Chris Humphreys
Chris (C.C.) Humphreys was born in Toronto, lived till he was seven in Los Angeles, then grew up in the UK. All four grandparents were actors, and since his father was an actor as well, it was inevitable he would follow the bloodline.
Chris (C.C.) Humphreys has played Hamlet in Calgary, a gladiator in Tunisia, waltzed in London’s West End, conned the landlord of the Rovers Return in Coronation Street, commanded a starfleet in Andromeda, voiced Salem the cat in the original Sabrina, and is a dead immortal in Highlander. He has written eleven adult novels including The French Executioner, runner-up for the CWA Steel Dagger for Thrillers; Chasing the Wind; The Jack Absolute Trilogy; Vlad – The Last Confession; A Place Called Armageddon and Shakespeare’s Rebel – which he adapted into a play and which premiered at Bard on the Beach, Vancouver, in 2015. Plague won the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Novel in Canada in 2015. He has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. His epic fantasy series the Immortals’ Blood Trilogy, beginning with Smoke in the Glass' has just been published by Gollancz. He also published his other fantasy series, The Tapestry Trilogy, beginning in August 2020 with ‘The Hunt of the Unicorn’. His foray into modern crime, 'One London Day' was published in 2021. Hie new novel, the World War Two epic romance, 'Someday I'll Find You' is published by Doubleday in Canada on June 6, 2023.
Several of his novels are available as Audiobooks - read by himself! Find him here:
https://www.authorchrishumphreys.com/...
He is translated into thirteen languages. In 2015 he earned his Masters in Fine Arts (Creative Writing) from the University of British Columbia.
Check out his website: http://authorchrishumphreys.com
Chris (C.C.) Humphreys was born in Toronto, lived till he was seven in Los Angeles, then grew up in the UK. All four grandparents were actors, and since his father was an actor as well, it was inevitable he would follow the bloodline.
Chris (C.C.) Humphreys has played Hamlet in Calgary, a gladiator in Tunisia, waltzed in London’s West End, conned the landlord of the Rovers Return in Coronation Street, commanded a starfleet in Andromeda, voiced Salem the cat in the original Sabrina, and is a dead immortal in Highlander. He has written eleven adult novels including The French Executioner, runner-up for the CWA Steel Dagger for Thrillers; Chasing the Wind; The Jack Absolute Trilogy; Vlad – The Last Confession; A Place Called Armageddon and Shakespeare’s Rebel – which he adapted into a play and which premiered at Bard on the Beach, Vancouver, in 2015. Plague won the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Novel in Canada in 2015. He has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. His epic fantasy series the Immortals’ Blood Trilogy, beginning with Smoke in the Glass' has just been published by Gollancz. He also published his other fantasy series, The Tapestry Trilogy, beginning in August 2020 with ‘The Hunt of the Unicorn’. His foray into modern crime, 'One London Day' was published in 2021. Hie new novel, the World War Two epic romance, 'Someday I'll Find You' is published by Doubleday in Canada on June 6, 2023.
Several of his novels are available as Audiobooks - read by himself! Find him here:
https://www.authorchrishumphreys.com/...
He is translated into thirteen languages. In 2015 he earned his Masters in Fine Arts (Creative Writing) from the University of British Columbia.
Check out his website: http://authorchrishumphreys.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
May 1, 2019
“Sometimes we simply get it right, don’t we?”
“Shakespeare’s Rebel” is a book I stumbled upon by accident, and it was an unexpected surprise that I quite enjoyed. This novel follows the adventures of its fictional protagonist, John Lawley, a solider, sometimes actor, and fight choreographer who is caught up in the world of Shakespeare, and his compatriots at the newly constructed Globe Theatre, Elizabeth I, her “spymaster” Robert Cecil, Lord Essex and his ill-fated 1601 rebellion, and the general chaos of English political life in the last years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. As the author writes in his notes at the end of the text, this novel is the result of his writing about “what you know”, and this text combines those passions-“Shakespeare, sword fighting, acting, theater craft, the Tudors, London, and the play Hamlet”.
The first 126 pages of this novel take place on an “interminable Shrove Tuesday” (as the novel’s protagonist calls it) in February 1599. Everything is thrown at our protagonist on this long day and it makes for fun reading.
The text also contains a lot of allusions, especially those connected to the work of Shakespeare. I enjoyed that, however the author, C.C. Humphreys, likes to point them out to the reader rather than trust the reader to catch them on their own. I decided I can forgive him this bit of self-congratulation, since I enjoyed the book so much.
A moment in the text I found to ring very true is a scene where Mr. Humphreys describes an actor’s return to the stage after an absence. It is a touching, and I can say from experience, quite accurate, moment.
The text covers just over 2 years, from February 1599 to April 1601, ending at the first performance of “Hamlet” at the Globe. This was a period of great significance in England’s history, and a period of great artistic growth in William Shakespeare. A perfect time to set this novel.
“Shakespeare’s Rebel” is a fun romp through some major English historical moments. It is not great literature (whatever that means) but it is a ripping good book if you share any of the interests mentioned above. So very glad I stumbled on it!
“Shakespeare’s Rebel” is a book I stumbled upon by accident, and it was an unexpected surprise that I quite enjoyed. This novel follows the adventures of its fictional protagonist, John Lawley, a solider, sometimes actor, and fight choreographer who is caught up in the world of Shakespeare, and his compatriots at the newly constructed Globe Theatre, Elizabeth I, her “spymaster” Robert Cecil, Lord Essex and his ill-fated 1601 rebellion, and the general chaos of English political life in the last years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. As the author writes in his notes at the end of the text, this novel is the result of his writing about “what you know”, and this text combines those passions-“Shakespeare, sword fighting, acting, theater craft, the Tudors, London, and the play Hamlet”.
The first 126 pages of this novel take place on an “interminable Shrove Tuesday” (as the novel’s protagonist calls it) in February 1599. Everything is thrown at our protagonist on this long day and it makes for fun reading.
The text also contains a lot of allusions, especially those connected to the work of Shakespeare. I enjoyed that, however the author, C.C. Humphreys, likes to point them out to the reader rather than trust the reader to catch them on their own. I decided I can forgive him this bit of self-congratulation, since I enjoyed the book so much.
A moment in the text I found to ring very true is a scene where Mr. Humphreys describes an actor’s return to the stage after an absence. It is a touching, and I can say from experience, quite accurate, moment.
The text covers just over 2 years, from February 1599 to April 1601, ending at the first performance of “Hamlet” at the Globe. This was a period of great significance in England’s history, and a period of great artistic growth in William Shakespeare. A perfect time to set this novel.
“Shakespeare’s Rebel” is a fun romp through some major English historical moments. It is not great literature (whatever that means) but it is a ripping good book if you share any of the interests mentioned above. So very glad I stumbled on it!
June 28, 2017
4.5 stars!
I picked up this novel in anticipation of a writers & readers conference that I attend in August of each year, as this author will be participating this year. I did not know what to expect but got much more than I was bargaining for!
Humphreys played to his strengths—he has played Hamlet (here in my home town!), knows his way around a sword, has choreographed fight scenes for theatre, and has a passion for Shakespeare. All of these interests have been channeled into this tale of John Lawley. Lawley is a solider, an actor and an alcoholic—he is rather evenly devoted to all three, but the third has made it difficult for him to pursue the other two or to maintain a relationship with his son and the son’s mother.
I love books in which William Shakespeare himself appears as a character and he is a good friend of Lawley in this one. Will is struggling with the writing of Hamlet while Robbie Deveraux and Robert Cecil wrestle for Queen Elizabeth’s affections.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good historical fiction, who is interested in the history surrounding Queen Elizabeth I, or who is a fan of Shakespeare. I am very much looking forward to meeting the author in August and I will read more of his novels with great pleasure.
I picked up this novel in anticipation of a writers & readers conference that I attend in August of each year, as this author will be participating this year. I did not know what to expect but got much more than I was bargaining for!
Humphreys played to his strengths—he has played Hamlet (here in my home town!), knows his way around a sword, has choreographed fight scenes for theatre, and has a passion for Shakespeare. All of these interests have been channeled into this tale of John Lawley. Lawley is a solider, an actor and an alcoholic—he is rather evenly devoted to all three, but the third has made it difficult for him to pursue the other two or to maintain a relationship with his son and the son’s mother.
I love books in which William Shakespeare himself appears as a character and he is a good friend of Lawley in this one. Will is struggling with the writing of Hamlet while Robbie Deveraux and Robert Cecil wrestle for Queen Elizabeth’s affections.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good historical fiction, who is interested in the history surrounding Queen Elizabeth I, or who is a fan of Shakespeare. I am very much looking forward to meeting the author in August and I will read more of his novels with great pleasure.
February 12, 2013
This is a spectacularly good historical novel. Lewd, debauched and pungent on the one hand, but genuinely romantic, honourable and deeply felt on the other. I think what will stay with me longest is the vivid portrayal of Elizabethan Southwark in ferment, and Shakespeare, and the context of some of his plays. But there's spying, rebellion, and adventure, and it's a real page-turner too. I'm ashamed to say this is the first C.C. Humphreys I have read. Now for some more.
April 13, 2023
DNF seems to be a theme with me this year so far. I hope it doesn’t continue. If you enjoy detailed sword fights, this is definitely for you. If you’re interested in the lives of actors in Elizabethan times, this is for you. I’m interested in the latter up to a point. I thought I knew where the book was going but it wasn’t getting there very quickly and eventually I was just bored. Too many books, too little time to read books that aren’t entertaining me. 3 stars because it was interesting up to a point and is certainly very well researched. It may just be the wrong book at the wrong time.
Read
November 19, 2021A book by CC Humphrey whose writing over this period ive really enjoyed, be it about Vlad the Impaler, the fall of the Byzantium Empire or the Great Plague/Fire of London.
As it would suggest we find ourselves in Elizabethan England, C1599 as well as the storming of Cadiz in 1596 by ways of a flashback so we find out our hungover man at journey’s start is a soldier…..
So....... No rating for this, I'm done at pg 67, jus could not get into it all and with the story going nowhere fast it was time for this chap to bail...... I have a feeling it's more of a lovelorn story based around the theatre than a swash me buckle story as advertised.....? I may be very wrong but....
A shame as I've enjoyed the other four books of his I've read. This one though is very different with jus nothing going on or even pending........
As it would suggest we find ourselves in Elizabethan England, C1599 as well as the storming of Cadiz in 1596 by ways of a flashback so we find out our hungover man at journey’s start is a soldier…..
So....... No rating for this, I'm done at pg 67, jus could not get into it all and with the story going nowhere fast it was time for this chap to bail...... I have a feeling it's more of a lovelorn story based around the theatre than a swash me buckle story as advertised.....? I may be very wrong but....
A shame as I've enjoyed the other four books of his I've read. This one though is very different with jus nothing going on or even pending........
August 3, 2016
You know, sometimes I curse God for not making it possible for writers to write their books forever... Because, I would gladly spend my whole life reading them. Especially books like this one.
This is one of these books, that put you in chains when you start reading them and they refuse to set you free until you finally finish reading them. There isn't a single word that could properly describe how I felt while I was reading the last 100 pages... That was a true horror inside of me. I've read "Vlad: The Last Confession" and "The City called Armageddon: Constantinople 1453" and, eventhough both of them were extremely good, none of them made this kind of chaos inside me.
So, we have John, who is the best swordsman in England (and probably in the whole world at that time) and who will be considered both drunk and crazy, but trust me: John isn't any of that. He is only loyal, in his own way. On the other hand we have Robert, the earl of Essex. Crazy, impulsive and unpredictable nobleman, but also a friend, leader and man whom John constantly tries to avoid. But these bond between them... Now that is probably the most interesting thing in the whole novel... No matter how hard Johh tried to avoid earl of Essex, he can't live without him... Yes, he wants to become an actor again, but I believe that it even if succeeded in that, he would be empty. On the other hand, who knows when would the earl of Essex die, if there wasn't John to save him. He remained loyal to the man whom he knew since they were kids to the very end. Today, I would be shocked if I'd have heard that such person exists.
Yet, we have this bond between John and the Queen Elizabeth I herself. (SPOILER ALERT) John's grandpa murdered Queen's mother-Anne Boleyn. How strong the Queen was, we see in that moment when she chooses to forgive John for his grandfather's crime instead of taking revenge. Admit it, there isn't much people who'd be able to do that today.
On the very end of this pretty much long review, which would've been probably even longer if I were not this much tired, I want to warn you that eventhough this novel, full of politics and intrigues, belongs to historical novels, it isn't only that... This novel represents our past, our present and, unfortunately but most likely, our future.
This is one of these books, that put you in chains when you start reading them and they refuse to set you free until you finally finish reading them. There isn't a single word that could properly describe how I felt while I was reading the last 100 pages... That was a true horror inside of me. I've read "Vlad: The Last Confession" and "The City called Armageddon: Constantinople 1453" and, eventhough both of them were extremely good, none of them made this kind of chaos inside me.
So, we have John, who is the best swordsman in England (and probably in the whole world at that time) and who will be considered both drunk and crazy, but trust me: John isn't any of that. He is only loyal, in his own way. On the other hand we have Robert, the earl of Essex. Crazy, impulsive and unpredictable nobleman, but also a friend, leader and man whom John constantly tries to avoid. But these bond between them... Now that is probably the most interesting thing in the whole novel... No matter how hard Johh tried to avoid earl of Essex, he can't live without him... Yes, he wants to become an actor again, but I believe that it even if succeeded in that, he would be empty. On the other hand, who knows when would the earl of Essex die, if there wasn't John to save him. He remained loyal to the man whom he knew since they were kids to the very end. Today, I would be shocked if I'd have heard that such person exists.
Yet, we have this bond between John and the Queen Elizabeth I herself. (SPOILER ALERT) John's grandpa murdered Queen's mother-Anne Boleyn. How strong the Queen was, we see in that moment when she chooses to forgive John for his grandfather's crime instead of taking revenge. Admit it, there isn't much people who'd be able to do that today.
On the very end of this pretty much long review, which would've been probably even longer if I were not this much tired, I want to warn you that eventhough this novel, full of politics and intrigues, belongs to historical novels, it isn't only that... This novel represents our past, our present and, unfortunately but most likely, our future.
February 8, 2013
Review
When i get to the end of a book im always eager to sit and write the review, to express my opinion and feelings of the work i have just finished. I think this is probably the first time i have been intimidated by the process, worried that i didnt have the right words or the eloquence to do justice to the book.
Yes the book is simply that good.
I have read many stories where the authors love of the subject is clear in the telling of the story. But this time its more than that its a passion for the tale, for the time, for the people and for the subject. This passion leaps from every word, every utterance of every character the very bones and soul of the story.
The synopsis will tell you enough about the plot im certainly not going to spoil a single line of it for you. What my utmost desire is by writing this, is that you go and buy a copy. Because this story has it all; a love story, a family story, History, mystery and intrigue, passion, sex, plots, fighting, infighting, backstabbing...the list could go on and on. Its is the complete package.
A book this good comes along only rarely and deserves to hit the bestseller list.
The book release date is 14th March. (Pre Order now)
Highest recommendation
(Parm)
http://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/2...
When i get to the end of a book im always eager to sit and write the review, to express my opinion and feelings of the work i have just finished. I think this is probably the first time i have been intimidated by the process, worried that i didnt have the right words or the eloquence to do justice to the book.
Yes the book is simply that good.
I have read many stories where the authors love of the subject is clear in the telling of the story. But this time its more than that its a passion for the tale, for the time, for the people and for the subject. This passion leaps from every word, every utterance of every character the very bones and soul of the story.
The synopsis will tell you enough about the plot im certainly not going to spoil a single line of it for you. What my utmost desire is by writing this, is that you go and buy a copy. Because this story has it all; a love story, a family story, History, mystery and intrigue, passion, sex, plots, fighting, infighting, backstabbing...the list could go on and on. Its is the complete package.
A book this good comes along only rarely and deserves to hit the bestseller list.
The book release date is 14th March. (Pre Order now)
Highest recommendation
(Parm)
http://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/2...
March 9, 2019
The author made Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth come alive in these pages. it was wonderful to see how people and places were during the early 1600s; I was very sorry to see this story end.
February 4, 2014
I hadn't read historical fiction in a while when I picked up Shakespeare's Rebeland I have to say it was a great read on a number of levels. It's not the first book I've read by C.C. Humphreys , I 'd previously enjoyed The French Executioner but this far surpassed even that.
The author created a great sense of the London of Shakespeare's time from the filth, to the various street tableaus with the vendors etc., pedestrian crush and general haphazardness along with quite detailed descriptions of the geography of the city. From the start of the story, I liked John Lawley the hero but, again, he is skillfully drawn by the author in that you are drawn to like him but you're not unaware of his failings, most of all his selfishness and undependability - to read a character drawn this roundly is fantastic. The research and detail regarding swordplay is entertaining and educational without ever becoming a lecture on minutia that would be boring.
Beyond all this great stuff, though, there were two elements of the book which I particularly enjoyed. The first was how the capriciousness of the nobility, particularly Essex, Cecil and Elizabeth is portrayed - they all came across as totally ruthless and self-absorbed not caring how they treated their 'pawns' or what affect their decisions had on their lives. It is partially the way they treat Lawley that makes you sympathetic towards him.
The other great element of the book is how well the role the theatre played in society is portrayed and the implications this had for the principals involved such as the writers and actors. More than entertainment or soap opera, the theatre allowed the common populace to give vent to their feelings in relation to the affairs of the day. The theatre had the ability to enflame the passions of the crowd or to lance the boil.
I can't end the review without a quick word on two other items. The scene where Essex rushes back to London with the reluctant Lawley in tow and barges in on Elizabeth is brilliantly written, particularly the climax. And, finally, the author's note at the end of the book is well worth reading, entertaining in its own right and informative.
The author created a great sense of the London of Shakespeare's time from the filth, to the various street tableaus with the vendors etc., pedestrian crush and general haphazardness along with quite detailed descriptions of the geography of the city. From the start of the story, I liked John Lawley the hero but, again, he is skillfully drawn by the author in that you are drawn to like him but you're not unaware of his failings, most of all his selfishness and undependability - to read a character drawn this roundly is fantastic. The research and detail regarding swordplay is entertaining and educational without ever becoming a lecture on minutia that would be boring.
Beyond all this great stuff, though, there were two elements of the book which I particularly enjoyed. The first was how the capriciousness of the nobility, particularly Essex, Cecil and Elizabeth is portrayed - they all came across as totally ruthless and self-absorbed not caring how they treated their 'pawns' or what affect their decisions had on their lives. It is partially the way they treat Lawley that makes you sympathetic towards him.
The other great element of the book is how well the role the theatre played in society is portrayed and the implications this had for the principals involved such as the writers and actors. More than entertainment or soap opera, the theatre allowed the common populace to give vent to their feelings in relation to the affairs of the day. The theatre had the ability to enflame the passions of the crowd or to lance the boil.
I can't end the review without a quick word on two other items. The scene where Essex rushes back to London with the reluctant Lawley in tow and barges in on Elizabeth is brilliantly written, particularly the climax. And, finally, the author's note at the end of the book is well worth reading, entertaining in its own right and informative.
December 15, 2017
I devoured this novel on various planes and buses and even in the shade of an old tobacco-drying shed on a particularly grueling recent trip to Cuba. What a smart, diverting, witty, adventurous tale! So great to have the flawed, irreverent, and basically decent John Lawley for a travel companion. And in addition to going on a fun reading adventure I learned a lot about Shakespeare, acting, swordplay, and London at the turn of the 17th century. What more could a reader ask?
Highly recommended for fans of Shakespeare and Tudor history — and for anyone who's looking for a fun, smart, adventurous read.
Highly recommended for fans of Shakespeare and Tudor history — and for anyone who's looking for a fun, smart, adventurous read.
July 25, 2014
Being a huge Shakespeare fan I'm always interested in novels which feature him as a central character, and the title of this one suggested he might feature quite prominently.
However I was a tad disappointed as Shakespeare is somewhat less than a major character and the emphasis is very much on John Lawley whose fate throughout the book is inextricably entwined with that of Essex. It's a swashbuckling read - a sort of Die Hard with doublets - and reasonably well written on the whole, I suppose, but the title is a touch misleading and falsely raises expectations.
However I was a tad disappointed as Shakespeare is somewhat less than a major character and the emphasis is very much on John Lawley whose fate throughout the book is inextricably entwined with that of Essex. It's a swashbuckling read - a sort of Die Hard with doublets - and reasonably well written on the whole, I suppose, but the title is a touch misleading and falsely raises expectations.
November 14, 2013
I became hooked on C.C. Humphreys while reading his terrific Jack Absolute series. "Shakespeare's Rebel" is even better. Most of the characters step right off the Elizabethan stage, or out of the history books, and Humphreys breathes life into them. The sword combats are thrilling, and realistic; the 16th Century court intrigue is fascinating. Great read.
January 14, 2015
interesting and enjoyable read of the late Elizabethan age with court politics and the stage and how the anti hero john lawley seems to court danger and slip between the two and his loyalty to earl of Essex. not fast paced as others in this genre but feel this is more suspense spy thriller than the adventure thriller though
September 29, 2014
More sword fights and the King's Men and less about John Lawley's lovelorn drunken bouts would have improved the story for me.
October 16, 2015
Originally published at Reading Reality
Shakespeare’s Rebel is the most fun I have had with William Shakespeare since I read Elizabeth Bear’s Ink and Steel and Hell and Earth.
The books are nothing alike. Bear’s Promethean Age is urban fantasy, while Shakespeare’s Rebel is historical fiction, but the use of Shakespeare and his playwriting as setting, motivation and sometimes “magical” impetus, for certain select uses of the word magic, has the same feel.
Shakespeare’s Rebel is the story of John Lawley, someone who did not exist but should have. Lawley is a player in Shakespeare’s company. In the story, Lawley is the person who coordinates the fight scenes for all of the plays. But he’s also one of the preeminent swordsmen of his times. In the story, he has also had the fortune to be a boon companion of the Earl of Essex during his famous victories, and unfortunately for Lawley, along for the ride during Essex’ most infamous defeats.
Lawley even sailed with Sir Francis Drake as a translator on Drake’s famous voyage around the world. But that was due to the other salient fact about Lawley – he is half native American. For those of us who have read the author’s The French Executioner, Lawley is the grandson of Jean Rombaud, the French executioner who killed Anne Boleyn.
Everything about Lawley’s past has an influence on the two years of his life riotously explored in Shakespeare’s Rebel. The year is 1599. Queen Elizabeth I, sometimes known as Gloriana, is still on the throne of England, but her reign and her life are coming to their natural end. Plots and counterplots are swirling, as men vie to make their place in the next government, even though talking about that future is considered treason. Elizabeth is dying, but mentioning that aloud in the wrong company is enough to put one’s head on a pike at Traitor’s Gate.
In 1599 Elizabeth is involved in what will be her last romantic relationship, her indulgence of Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. In the story, it is mostly romance of the chivalric sort, where a knight worships a lady fair who is unattainable and unobtainable. What their relationship was in real life is anyone’s guess. But in real life, Elizabeth’s favor for “her Robin” set Essex in rivalry with Robert Cecil, her privy secretary and prime minister. That rivalry pushes our hero, John Lawley, hither and thither as multiple factions attempt to use his friendship with Essex. And eventually, it makes the beginning of his fortune.
So we start with John Lawley, who is a soldier, a sailor, a translator, a player (read actor) and an alcoholic of the binge-drinking type. We begin our story with him as he starts drinking himself sober after a month-long debauch that has him ending up in the worst part of London, bitten by fleas and about to have his last remaining possession get stolen.
He pretty much has nowhere to go but up from here. Following him as he rises and sinks and rises again takes us on a rollicking adventure through the stews of London, the intrigues of the palace, the wilds of Ireland, and back again to Shakespeare’s famous Globe Theatre.
All John Lawley wants to is to survive with his skin intact, his love at his side, and their son happily following the acting profession they both love. And every faction on every side, as well as his own constant need for a drink, seems determined to pull him down before he wins through.
The adventure is glorious!
Escape Rating A+: I didn’t think I would finish this in one night. It’s 400+ pages long! But once I settled in, I couldn’t stop, because the story doesn’t either. It trips fantastically from one wild adventure to the next, with barely a stop for breath – either the reader’s or Lawley’s.
Like his grandfather before him, John Lawley has more lives than a cat, and seemingly uses them all up. He is also, like most players, much, much cleverer than the high-and-mighty lords give him credit for.
Lawley is caught between two friendships – William Shakespeare and Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. He’s known both men 20 years or so, and they are both subject to fits of extreme melancholy. In modern terms, they both seem manic-depressive. And Lawley has a knack for getting them each out of their depressions, a knack which everyone wants to use.
With Essex, it is a matter of pointing the man in the direction of something that can be done, and then helping to make it happen. So many things go wrong when Essex is left to his own devices, which is what finally does him in.
Shakespeare suffers from depression after each play is complete, until another fever of inspiration takes hold in his brain. And the play that he is writing in fits and starts during this entire book is Hamlet, a play based on a story guaranteed to depress everyone.
Lawley has been reacting his whole life. He lets Essex sweep him along in multiple adventures, many of which have resulted in Essex swanning away while Lawley rots in prison. He reacts by falling into a binge all too often. At least with Shakespeare, their using of each other is somewhat mutual, Shakespeare gets a good actor, Lawley gets a good play to act in. Also Shakespeare doesn’t want anything more than a friend, where Essex requires a sycophant.
But the part of the story that keeps the reader on the edge of their figurative seat is the way that the insane politics of the time keep messing up Lawley’s life. Essex wants his good luck charm, but Cecil wants to find a way to bring Essex down. The Queen wants to maintain her illusions of beauty and immortality.
Everyone wants to use Shakespeare and his company of players to sway the crowd to their point of view. And all the players on every side, both political and theatrical, think that Lawley is the person they need to pressure someone into doing things their way.
All Lawley wants is the life he should have had, marriage to his beloved Tess and helping their son Ned grow into an actor. As the story goes along, the reader wonders if it is just a pipe dream, or how many will have to die to make it happen. That we think Lawley has a chance of achieving his desires, in spite of his own failures, makes him a fascinating character to follow.
I loved every minute of his journey. If you love raucous, riotous, swashbuckling historical adventure, you will too.
Shakespeare’s Rebel is the most fun I have had with William Shakespeare since I read Elizabeth Bear’s Ink and Steel and Hell and Earth.
The books are nothing alike. Bear’s Promethean Age is urban fantasy, while Shakespeare’s Rebel is historical fiction, but the use of Shakespeare and his playwriting as setting, motivation and sometimes “magical” impetus, for certain select uses of the word magic, has the same feel.
Shakespeare’s Rebel is the story of John Lawley, someone who did not exist but should have. Lawley is a player in Shakespeare’s company. In the story, Lawley is the person who coordinates the fight scenes for all of the plays. But he’s also one of the preeminent swordsmen of his times. In the story, he has also had the fortune to be a boon companion of the Earl of Essex during his famous victories, and unfortunately for Lawley, along for the ride during Essex’ most infamous defeats.
Lawley even sailed with Sir Francis Drake as a translator on Drake’s famous voyage around the world. But that was due to the other salient fact about Lawley – he is half native American. For those of us who have read the author’s The French Executioner, Lawley is the grandson of Jean Rombaud, the French executioner who killed Anne Boleyn.
Everything about Lawley’s past has an influence on the two years of his life riotously explored in Shakespeare’s Rebel. The year is 1599. Queen Elizabeth I, sometimes known as Gloriana, is still on the throne of England, but her reign and her life are coming to their natural end. Plots and counterplots are swirling, as men vie to make their place in the next government, even though talking about that future is considered treason. Elizabeth is dying, but mentioning that aloud in the wrong company is enough to put one’s head on a pike at Traitor’s Gate.
In 1599 Elizabeth is involved in what will be her last romantic relationship, her indulgence of Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. In the story, it is mostly romance of the chivalric sort, where a knight worships a lady fair who is unattainable and unobtainable. What their relationship was in real life is anyone’s guess. But in real life, Elizabeth’s favor for “her Robin” set Essex in rivalry with Robert Cecil, her privy secretary and prime minister. That rivalry pushes our hero, John Lawley, hither and thither as multiple factions attempt to use his friendship with Essex. And eventually, it makes the beginning of his fortune.
So we start with John Lawley, who is a soldier, a sailor, a translator, a player (read actor) and an alcoholic of the binge-drinking type. We begin our story with him as he starts drinking himself sober after a month-long debauch that has him ending up in the worst part of London, bitten by fleas and about to have his last remaining possession get stolen.
He pretty much has nowhere to go but up from here. Following him as he rises and sinks and rises again takes us on a rollicking adventure through the stews of London, the intrigues of the palace, the wilds of Ireland, and back again to Shakespeare’s famous Globe Theatre.
All John Lawley wants to is to survive with his skin intact, his love at his side, and their son happily following the acting profession they both love. And every faction on every side, as well as his own constant need for a drink, seems determined to pull him down before he wins through.
The adventure is glorious!
Escape Rating A+: I didn’t think I would finish this in one night. It’s 400+ pages long! But once I settled in, I couldn’t stop, because the story doesn’t either. It trips fantastically from one wild adventure to the next, with barely a stop for breath – either the reader’s or Lawley’s.
Like his grandfather before him, John Lawley has more lives than a cat, and seemingly uses them all up. He is also, like most players, much, much cleverer than the high-and-mighty lords give him credit for.
Lawley is caught between two friendships – William Shakespeare and Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. He’s known both men 20 years or so, and they are both subject to fits of extreme melancholy. In modern terms, they both seem manic-depressive. And Lawley has a knack for getting them each out of their depressions, a knack which everyone wants to use.
With Essex, it is a matter of pointing the man in the direction of something that can be done, and then helping to make it happen. So many things go wrong when Essex is left to his own devices, which is what finally does him in.
Shakespeare suffers from depression after each play is complete, until another fever of inspiration takes hold in his brain. And the play that he is writing in fits and starts during this entire book is Hamlet, a play based on a story guaranteed to depress everyone.
Lawley has been reacting his whole life. He lets Essex sweep him along in multiple adventures, many of which have resulted in Essex swanning away while Lawley rots in prison. He reacts by falling into a binge all too often. At least with Shakespeare, their using of each other is somewhat mutual, Shakespeare gets a good actor, Lawley gets a good play to act in. Also Shakespeare doesn’t want anything more than a friend, where Essex requires a sycophant.
But the part of the story that keeps the reader on the edge of their figurative seat is the way that the insane politics of the time keep messing up Lawley’s life. Essex wants his good luck charm, but Cecil wants to find a way to bring Essex down. The Queen wants to maintain her illusions of beauty and immortality.
Everyone wants to use Shakespeare and his company of players to sway the crowd to their point of view. And all the players on every side, both political and theatrical, think that Lawley is the person they need to pressure someone into doing things their way.
All Lawley wants is the life he should have had, marriage to his beloved Tess and helping their son Ned grow into an actor. As the story goes along, the reader wonders if it is just a pipe dream, or how many will have to die to make it happen. That we think Lawley has a chance of achieving his desires, in spite of his own failures, makes him a fascinating character to follow.
I loved every minute of his journey. If you love raucous, riotous, swashbuckling historical adventure, you will too.
May 18, 2018
The title drew me. The historical details are superb, perhaps too vivid in description of smell but excellent for sword fighting. Real and fictional characters are well drawn, there's action, humor, drama and pathos.
April 29, 2015
I loved this book from the start. I was excited about it, because it's written by Chris Humphreys, whose work I admire, (and coz I've met the guy, and he's way cool). I'm an actor so I have a love of Shakespeare already. The story takes place in 1599 (mostly) and we follow John Lawley, a swordsman who just wants to have a normal life with the woman he loves and their son...and to continue being a player and fight master for his dear friend Will Shakespeare. But loyalty plays heavily on John and he keeps finding himself wrapped up in the affairs of the nutbar Earl of Essex. Oh, and the Queen, of course... Who can say No to her Majesty?
I enjoyed looking up this era in history and learning how much of the story is grounded in fact. I loved seeing the world of Shakespeare, his plays, the Globe, the players...through the eyes of this fun character. It's well-written, fast-paced and just thoroughly enjoyable. NOW, I get to be excited about seeing Chris's stage adaptation of the novel, to be played at Vancouver's Bard on the Beach this summer!
I enjoyed looking up this era in history and learning how much of the story is grounded in fact. I loved seeing the world of Shakespeare, his plays, the Globe, the players...through the eyes of this fun character. It's well-written, fast-paced and just thoroughly enjoyable. NOW, I get to be excited about seeing Chris's stage adaptation of the novel, to be played at Vancouver's Bard on the Beach this summer!
June 21, 2015
A virtual time travel into one of the most eternally present moments in history, the initial stagings of Henry V, Julius Caesar and Hamlet, has much to do with Chris Humphreys' own experiences: swordfights, stage appearances and pub crawls that the reader is not cast back into the past so much as a span of years (1599-1601) are brought into the present. The political love-hate triangle between Elizabeth, Cecil and Essex is an intriguing backdrop for a romantic boy-loses-girl, gets-drunk, makes-a-series-of-bad-choices-to-win-her-back story. I am convinced that a fellow time traveler like Humphreys knows that such layered events are always happening, and always worth writing about, in print, on screen and performed on stage.
May 18, 2013
John Lawley is not Jack Absolute by any stretch, in fact I never really warmed to him, but CC Humphreys' sense of period and his knowledge of swords and Shakespeare mostly made up for that. At times I was more interested in the players than the plot, but I was keen to stay in his Elizabethan London, particularly if the players are once again involved!
July 4, 2016
Ending is a bit too sweet, but apart from that, this is a very good novel. I really liked the characters and the atmsphere is fantastic - the author created a living, breathing environment where the story will take place. Highly recommended.
August 6, 2013
Mystery/adventure set in late Elizabethan times. It had all the ingredients that I usually love but for some reason I found this difficult to get into and wasn't overly fussed.
August 20, 2013
Not his best work....
May 25, 2022
C. C. Humphreys does it again! Another masterpiece!
Sa Hamfrizom sam se upoznao još pre više od 10 godina, kada sam od tadašnje devojke kao rođendanski poklon dobio Vladovu poslednju ispovest. Iako sam je pročitao mesecima nakon toga, momentalno sam postao zaljubljenik u knjige! Iako se njegove knjige čitaju zaista čitaju u jednom dahu (Vlada sam, recimo čitao do ranih jutarnjih časova, a nakon nekoliko sati sna ustajao za školu), ovu sam, pomalo ironično, čitao jako dugo, mada ne da je bitno, jer Kris piše tako upečatljivo da mi se čini kao da ću se zauvek sećati delova njegovih romana. Hamfriz na neverovatan način donosi detalje i opise vremena i prostora o kojima piše, da se čitaocu čini kao da je u središtu dešavanja. Čitajući ovu knjigu imao sam osećaj kao da Šekspira znam lično, da svaki dan sedimo zajedno i pijemo toplo pivo i diskutujemo o pozorištu i glumcima...
U ovom romanu pratimo glavnog junaka, "buntovnika" Džona Loulija, možda i ponajboljeg mačevaoca u Engleskoj, i njegove ljubavne, alkoholičarske, glumačke i ratne avanture, često protkane sjajnim epizodama punih spletkarenja, zavera, neizvesnosti, gde Džon jedino želi da preživi i da ga ostave na miru kako bi mogao da se bavi onim što najviše voli - glumom. Da li je na kraju dobio ono što je želeo? Pročitajte ovo delo i saznajte. :)
Ocena 4,8/5
Sa Hamfrizom sam se upoznao još pre više od 10 godina, kada sam od tadašnje devojke kao rođendanski poklon dobio Vladovu poslednju ispovest. Iako sam je pročitao mesecima nakon toga, momentalno sam postao zaljubljenik u knjige! Iako se njegove knjige čitaju zaista čitaju u jednom dahu (Vlada sam, recimo čitao do ranih jutarnjih časova, a nakon nekoliko sati sna ustajao za školu), ovu sam, pomalo ironično, čitao jako dugo, mada ne da je bitno, jer Kris piše tako upečatljivo da mi se čini kao da ću se zauvek sećati delova njegovih romana. Hamfriz na neverovatan način donosi detalje i opise vremena i prostora o kojima piše, da se čitaocu čini kao da je u središtu dešavanja. Čitajući ovu knjigu imao sam osećaj kao da Šekspira znam lično, da svaki dan sedimo zajedno i pijemo toplo pivo i diskutujemo o pozorištu i glumcima...
U ovom romanu pratimo glavnog junaka, "buntovnika" Džona Loulija, možda i ponajboljeg mačevaoca u Engleskoj, i njegove ljubavne, alkoholičarske, glumačke i ratne avanture, često protkane sjajnim epizodama punih spletkarenja, zavera, neizvesnosti, gde Džon jedino želi da preživi i da ga ostave na miru kako bi mogao da se bavi onim što najviše voli - glumom. Da li je na kraju dobio ono što je želeo? Pročitajte ovo delo i saznajte. :)
Ocena 4,8/5
December 5, 2017
I picked up this book in the Nook store on my tablet in large part because I had wanted more “Shakespeare” themed things after watching Will on TNT and because I personally enjoy stories set in this time period. My personal review of the book is as follows:
I want to start this review off by saying that if you are looking for a story that features Shakespeare prominently this book might not be what you are looking for however if liked “Will”(the series) this book definitely grabs you(in my personal opinion) in the same way. In my personal opinion I feel like it would be an awesome PBS show.
The storyline felt to me personally like a Shakespeare play(s) played out so many of the themes that he loved are woven into the storyline.
It was really refreshing to see such a strong complex, flawed, and deeply loyal main character. In my personal opinion if you want to learn more loyalty you would learn a lot about it from the main character. Overall I personally rate this book an 8 and a half out 10
I want to start this review off by saying that if you are looking for a story that features Shakespeare prominently this book might not be what you are looking for however if liked “Will”(the series) this book definitely grabs you(in my personal opinion) in the same way. In my personal opinion I feel like it would be an awesome PBS show.
The storyline felt to me personally like a Shakespeare play(s) played out so many of the themes that he loved are woven into the storyline.
It was really refreshing to see such a strong complex, flawed, and deeply loyal main character. In my personal opinion if you want to learn more loyalty you would learn a lot about it from the main character. Overall I personally rate this book an 8 and a half out 10
July 13, 2017
Really a 4.5. Loved this book. Kept me up late a few nights. Seems to capture the reality of Elizabethan times with all the sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic aspects--literarily and literally!
June 14, 2017
I agree with most of the reviews I have read about this book, I felt compelled to write a short review was I enjoyed it so much and wondered why I had taken so long to read a book by this author and hope more people read his work.
I am a big fan of C.J Sanson and Michael Arnold's historical books and CC Humpreys was a recommended read, I quickly read a sample download and read this book so quickly.
I like the anti hero of the story, it goes along at a good pace, the writing of the battle scenes and description of Tudor London is so vivid you can feel, hear and smell every aspect of it.
I am going to read the Captain Absolute series and would recommend this author to any fan of historical novels or even a good action read.
I am a big fan of C.J Sanson and Michael Arnold's historical books and CC Humpreys was a recommended read, I quickly read a sample download and read this book so quickly.
I like the anti hero of the story, it goes along at a good pace, the writing of the battle scenes and description of Tudor London is so vivid you can feel, hear and smell every aspect of it.
I am going to read the Captain Absolute series and would recommend this author to any fan of historical novels or even a good action read.
July 1, 2017
A historical swashbuckling thriller. So why was it so hard going?
Characters were difficult to care about and the book jumped from scenario to scenario.
I finished the book but on many occasions nearly gave up
Characters were difficult to care about and the book jumped from scenario to scenario.
I finished the book but on many occasions nearly gave up
October 24, 2017
If the historical novel is your thing then certainly check out C. C. Humphreys. Tudor England, an ageing Queen and court intrigue, even Will Shakespeare is here. Perhaps a little sentimental for my taste but enjoyable to the end
June 18, 2018
This was a fantastic read from start to finish. The writing was really good and perfect for the time period. I loved the descriptions of the plays and the sword-play/fighting. The characters were well-drawn and believable. Overall a fun and interesting read. Recommended!
September 29, 2017
Tons of fun. Definitely written by a male from a male point of view, but this guy knows his Shakespeare and it's clear the author is an actor and fight choreographer.
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