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The Tutor
A bold and captivating novel about love, passion, and ambition that imagines the muse of William Shakespeare and the tumultuous year they spend together.
The year is 1590, and Queen Elizabeth’s Spanish Armada victory has done nothing to quell her brutal persecution of the English Catholics. Katharine de L’Isle is living at Lufanwal Hall, the manor of her uncle, Sir Edward. Taught by her cherished uncle to read when a child, Katharine is now a thirty-one-year-old widow. She has resigned herself to a life of reading and keeping company with her cousins and their children. But all that changes when the family’s priest, who had been performing Catholic services in secret, is found murdered. Faced with threats of imprisonment and death, Sir Edward is forced to flee the country, leaving Katharine adrift in a household rife with turmoil.
At this time of unrest, a new schoolmaster arrives from Stratford, a man named William Shakespeare. Coarse, quick-witted, and brazenly flirtatious, Shakespeare swiftly disrupts what fragile peace there is left at Lufanwal. Katharine is at first appalled by the boldness of this new tutor, but when she learns he is a poet, and one of talent, things between them begin to shift, and soon Katharine finds herself drawn into Shakespeare’s verse, and his life, in ways that will change her forever.
Inventive and absorbing, The Tutor is a masterful work of historical fiction, casting Shakespeare in a light we’ve never seen.
The year is 1590, and Queen Elizabeth’s Spanish Armada victory has done nothing to quell her brutal persecution of the English Catholics. Katharine de L’Isle is living at Lufanwal Hall, the manor of her uncle, Sir Edward. Taught by her cherished uncle to read when a child, Katharine is now a thirty-one-year-old widow. She has resigned herself to a life of reading and keeping company with her cousins and their children. But all that changes when the family’s priest, who had been performing Catholic services in secret, is found murdered. Faced with threats of imprisonment and death, Sir Edward is forced to flee the country, leaving Katharine adrift in a household rife with turmoil.
At this time of unrest, a new schoolmaster arrives from Stratford, a man named William Shakespeare. Coarse, quick-witted, and brazenly flirtatious, Shakespeare swiftly disrupts what fragile peace there is left at Lufanwal. Katharine is at first appalled by the boldness of this new tutor, but when she learns he is a poet, and one of talent, things between them begin to shift, and soon Katharine finds herself drawn into Shakespeare’s verse, and his life, in ways that will change her forever.
Inventive and absorbing, The Tutor is a masterful work of historical fiction, casting Shakespeare in a light we’ve never seen.
368 pages, Paperback
First published February 5, 2015
33 people are currently reading
2211 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Chapin
4 books37 followersAndrea Chapin is the author of The Tutor (Riverhead Book/Penguin Random House), a novel that imagines a year in the life of William Shakespeare. Chapin has acted professionally, touring Germany in Edward Albee’s Seascape. She has been an editor at art, movie, theater, and literary magazines, such as The Paris Review, Conjunctions, and The Lincoln Center Theater Review, and has written for More, Redbook, Town & Country, Self, Martha Stewart Living, Marie Claire (UK), and other publications. Her work has appeared in several anthologies, including The Honeymoon's Over: True Stories of Love, Marriage & Divorce (Warner Books), of which she was co-editor. Chapin is also a writing teacher and private book editor. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
April 29, 2015
For me, this was two books. The book about the persecution of Catholics under Queen Elizabeth was touching, tragic and inspiring. The other book was about the protagonist's relationship with William Shakespeare. This storyline was lurid, cynical and totally uninspiring. The only link between the two story lines is that the protagonist was involved in both of them. I sincerely wish that Shakespeare had never crossed her path.
Other reviews call Shakespeare, as portrayed in this novel, evil. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but he was certainly narcissistic and immature. Shakespeare was in his twenties, but many men in their twenties behave like adolescents. The novel deals with Shakespeare before his career as an author began. He hadn't published anything. So this was Shakespeare before he was Shakespeare. At one point Katherine wonders if a line he had written in his narrative poem "Venus and Adonis" was addressed to her. "Before I know myself, seek not to know me." Aside from the awkward construction of this sentence, I think that it did reflect Shakespeare's perspective at this point. He didn't know what he wanted and certainly not what he would become. The trouble is that I'm not very interested in Shakespeare at this stage.
I wanted to know more about what would become of Katherine's family, the De L'Isles. I found them more sympathetic than the central characters of other novels about Elizabethan Catholics because they were simply trying to practice their faith under extremely adverse circumstances. They weren't conspiring against Elizabeth by attempting to replace her with a rival. I saw the De L'Isles as underdogs who'd been treated unjustly.
Other reviews call Shakespeare, as portrayed in this novel, evil. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but he was certainly narcissistic and immature. Shakespeare was in his twenties, but many men in their twenties behave like adolescents. The novel deals with Shakespeare before his career as an author began. He hadn't published anything. So this was Shakespeare before he was Shakespeare. At one point Katherine wonders if a line he had written in his narrative poem "Venus and Adonis" was addressed to her. "Before I know myself, seek not to know me." Aside from the awkward construction of this sentence, I think that it did reflect Shakespeare's perspective at this point. He didn't know what he wanted and certainly not what he would become. The trouble is that I'm not very interested in Shakespeare at this stage.
I wanted to know more about what would become of Katherine's family, the De L'Isles. I found them more sympathetic than the central characters of other novels about Elizabethan Catholics because they were simply trying to practice their faith under extremely adverse circumstances. They weren't conspiring against Elizabeth by attempting to replace her with a rival. I saw the De L'Isles as underdogs who'd been treated unjustly.
April 6, 2015
This is the sexy story of fictional Katharine who becomes the tutor (muse, editor) of William Shakespeare; it is also the story of every woman who has ever fallen for a narcissist. History buffs and people who glory in the details of other times and want to experience them firsthand will be in Elizabethan heaven. Well-researched, The Tutor is so detailed in the minutia of everyday living that you see, feel, and sometimes even smell the times.
However, I'm a twentieth-century heathen. And when I was an actor, I could never do Shakespeare—I struggled with the language. So I'm not the audience for this book. Nevertheless, it so affected me that I couldn't go to sleep after a day spent reading it.
Most people will identify with intelligent Katharine, a childless widow who observes the horrendous lot and lack of personhood of the women around her, but finds her power in literature and a lusty relationship with a very complicated poet. Not I. Although the love story was involving, I identified with the peripheral illiterate, toothless wenches who were dunked for yelling at their husbands and the witches who were beaten and imprisoned. This is an idiosyncratic reaction that will not be shared by the hoard of Shakespeare and historical fiction lovers who will absorb this beautifully written book. Author Andrea Chapin clearly relishes language and serves it like a feast for those with the taste to appreciate it.
However, I'm a twentieth-century heathen. And when I was an actor, I could never do Shakespeare—I struggled with the language. So I'm not the audience for this book. Nevertheless, it so affected me that I couldn't go to sleep after a day spent reading it.
Most people will identify with intelligent Katharine, a childless widow who observes the horrendous lot and lack of personhood of the women around her, but finds her power in literature and a lusty relationship with a very complicated poet. Not I. Although the love story was involving, I identified with the peripheral illiterate, toothless wenches who were dunked for yelling at their husbands and the witches who were beaten and imprisoned. This is an idiosyncratic reaction that will not be shared by the hoard of Shakespeare and historical fiction lovers who will absorb this beautifully written book. Author Andrea Chapin clearly relishes language and serves it like a feast for those with the taste to appreciate it.
January 2, 2015
This historical novel deals with a dark and tragic period for a leading family in England still clinging to their Catholic faith despite the outlawing of those practices. Will Shakespeare, in this tale, is a crass womanizer, intent upon using everything at his disposal to tempt women. In the case of our protagonist, the temptation involves words and poetry. Most of the book deals with the obsessive behavior associated with unrequited love, felt by the protagonist towards Shakespeare; a very 21st century appraisal layered onto a 16th century setting. In this disconnect, I found the book disappointing. Otherwise the book is well-written and characters are interesting, if too modern for their period. I received a copy of this book through Penguin's First to Read program.
May 17, 2015
Dove right in to this well-researched and well-written tale of Shakespeare and his muse... The setting and characters were developed fully, which made the story all the more engrossing. The last third or quarter of the book was, in my opinion, not as good as the opening sections -- the ending felt a little rushed. Or perhaps that was just me wanting the story to go on for longer!
Anyone looking to dip into historical waters and immerse themselves will enjoy this one!
Anyone looking to dip into historical waters and immerse themselves will enjoy this one!
May 18, 2015
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
I have read a few historical fictions recently, and this is my favourite. Perhaps it is because the author had more leeway with her subjects as it is an unknown time in Shakespeare's life.
There are a few interesting elements to this story that kept me reading, including the lives of women in the Elizabethan era, being Catholic in that same era, and the imagining's of Shakespeare's start as a poet and his early life as a playwright and player. Will and Katherine's relationship takes a number of turns throughout the story, from initial attraction to the passionate writing and editing of Venus and Adonis, to Katherine's realization that she must find her place in the world, whether it be with or without Shakespeare.
While I have read a number of Shakespeare's plays, I have not read the above mentioned poem, and plan to now read it as having this story framed by the poem. It is certainly a common device used in modern writing to frame the plot around a piece of classic literature, in this case, I believe it works. Kate and Will's relationship shapes the characters in the play (within the story, of course it is actually the other way around), and I felt the author blended the two quite well.
The historical context is one of the more interesting times in England's past, and while focusing on the story of Katherine and Shakespeare, the author still brings in the dangers of being a Catholic family in the Elizabethan era and the politics of being an older woman and where her place may be within society.
Throughout the story, I felt for Katherine. I had to put the book down for a couple of days, although had had only two chapters left to read. In that period I thought about Katherine and what she would do. I worried about her final decision and hoped she'd make what I felt to be the right one. The fact that I thought about the story when not reading it shows how interesting and well-written the book is.
I have read a few historical fictions recently, and this is my favourite. Perhaps it is because the author had more leeway with her subjects as it is an unknown time in Shakespeare's life.
There are a few interesting elements to this story that kept me reading, including the lives of women in the Elizabethan era, being Catholic in that same era, and the imagining's of Shakespeare's start as a poet and his early life as a playwright and player. Will and Katherine's relationship takes a number of turns throughout the story, from initial attraction to the passionate writing and editing of Venus and Adonis, to Katherine's realization that she must find her place in the world, whether it be with or without Shakespeare.
While I have read a number of Shakespeare's plays, I have not read the above mentioned poem, and plan to now read it as having this story framed by the poem. It is certainly a common device used in modern writing to frame the plot around a piece of classic literature, in this case, I believe it works. Kate and Will's relationship shapes the characters in the play (within the story, of course it is actually the other way around), and I felt the author blended the two quite well.
The historical context is one of the more interesting times in England's past, and while focusing on the story of Katherine and Shakespeare, the author still brings in the dangers of being a Catholic family in the Elizabethan era and the politics of being an older woman and where her place may be within society.
Throughout the story, I felt for Katherine. I had to put the book down for a couple of days, although had had only two chapters left to read. In that period I thought about Katherine and what she would do. I worried about her final decision and hoped she'd make what I felt to be the right one. The fact that I thought about the story when not reading it shows how interesting and well-written the book is.
January 2, 2015
The Tutor is a well researched, warm, and imaginative look at Shakespeare and English history during his lost years. Since mysteries abound with Shakespeare, and we know so little about him at certain times of his lives, there is ore to be mined, and Ms. Chapin does so, heavily addressing several different questions regarding Will and his life and times.
Katharine de L’Isle is a passionate, intelligent young widow. Living on the goodness of her dear uncle is his family's large manor home, she meets Will Shakespeare, a young glover hired on as her nephew and nieces tutor. He is entranced with Katharine, and they banter and talk, and Katharine falls in love, as does (it appears) Will. Together, they hammer our Shakespeare's Venus and Adonis, his narrative poem based on Ovid's Metamorphoses. Will does not read Latin or any other language but English, although he tries. Katharine is well read, taught to read and appreciate the Classics at the knee of her beloved uncle. The catch in the whole story: Katharine and her family are Catholic, at a time when it was against the law to be Catholic.
Ms Chapin does such a wonderful job of evoking the time period and the gloomy, dark manor that is Lufanwal Hall. The seasons change like the relationships of the residents of Lufanwal. Treachery occurs, and shock waves ripple long after the events fade with time. Katharine becomes Will's muse, and he cannot write without her. But there are other things happening all the time, and Katharine and Will have to try and navigate the rough seas of their relationship amidst the even rougher ones of family and State.
This is a wonderful story, and I was captured from the first few pages, and very excited about reading this smart book. Yes, it is a love story, but it is so much more than just a romance. Katharine and Will are in love with words, and the joy and fulfillment they get from that love affair is so important, both to them and to the future (that is, we the readers!). History is being shaped before Katharine's eyes, as she "tutors" Will, in both the ways of love and words.
Of particular note is Will's performance of the St. Crispin's Day speech from Henry V, at a celebration and feast at Lufanwal. It is a wonderfully written scene that made me tear up. Ms. Chapin has a lovely way with characters, and makes them come alive with her descriptive writing. Her research was clearly exhaustive. This should be one of the top historical fiction novels of the year!
Katharine de L’Isle is a passionate, intelligent young widow. Living on the goodness of her dear uncle is his family's large manor home, she meets Will Shakespeare, a young glover hired on as her nephew and nieces tutor. He is entranced with Katharine, and they banter and talk, and Katharine falls in love, as does (it appears) Will. Together, they hammer our Shakespeare's Venus and Adonis, his narrative poem based on Ovid's Metamorphoses. Will does not read Latin or any other language but English, although he tries. Katharine is well read, taught to read and appreciate the Classics at the knee of her beloved uncle. The catch in the whole story: Katharine and her family are Catholic, at a time when it was against the law to be Catholic.
Ms Chapin does such a wonderful job of evoking the time period and the gloomy, dark manor that is Lufanwal Hall. The seasons change like the relationships of the residents of Lufanwal. Treachery occurs, and shock waves ripple long after the events fade with time. Katharine becomes Will's muse, and he cannot write without her. But there are other things happening all the time, and Katharine and Will have to try and navigate the rough seas of their relationship amidst the even rougher ones of family and State.
This is a wonderful story, and I was captured from the first few pages, and very excited about reading this smart book. Yes, it is a love story, but it is so much more than just a romance. Katharine and Will are in love with words, and the joy and fulfillment they get from that love affair is so important, both to them and to the future (that is, we the readers!). History is being shaped before Katharine's eyes, as she "tutors" Will, in both the ways of love and words.
Of particular note is Will's performance of the St. Crispin's Day speech from Henry V, at a celebration and feast at Lufanwal. It is a wonderfully written scene that made me tear up. Ms. Chapin has a lovely way with characters, and makes them come alive with her descriptive writing. Her research was clearly exhaustive. This should be one of the top historical fiction novels of the year!
November 9, 2015
First, wise editors are in far shorter supply than great writers. To propose that just because a widow is well-read for the times, she could move from not even noting the poor quality of the first set of sonnets she reads to actually being Shakespeare's formative critic, guiding him to nobly suffer slings and arrows until Venus and Adonis is crafted into a masterpiece is absurd.
Second, one doesn't make a novel historical by tossing in lists of what was sold at market, or changing "so" to "forsooth" once in awhile. Character motivations and opinions are formed by the times, not out of a vacuum.
Third, there's a wonderful book by Bill Bryson titled Shakespeare--and I think that simple title says it all for a book that carefully and humorously constructs what we really know about the man. Bryson writes, "It cannot be emphasized too strenuously that there is nothing--not a scrap, not a mote--that gives any certain insight into Shakespeare's feelings or beliefs as a private person. We can know only what came out of his work, never what went into it." When so little is really known, why make him out to be, well, evil?
Second, one doesn't make a novel historical by tossing in lists of what was sold at market, or changing "so" to "forsooth" once in awhile. Character motivations and opinions are formed by the times, not out of a vacuum.
Third, there's a wonderful book by Bill Bryson titled Shakespeare--and I think that simple title says it all for a book that carefully and humorously constructs what we really know about the man. Bryson writes, "It cannot be emphasized too strenuously that there is nothing--not a scrap, not a mote--that gives any certain insight into Shakespeare's feelings or beliefs as a private person. We can know only what came out of his work, never what went into it." When so little is really known, why make him out to be, well, evil?
December 27, 2014
This book was very well researched, and I loved seeing the struggle of being Catholic, the many holiday celebrations, the gender roles and class rules and day to day lives.
The idea was fascinating: in one of his lost years, Will Shakespeare seduces a widow who inspires him to write poetry even as she fears he will leave her and go back to London. But the sheer scope of foreshadowing of his evil nature, mimicked in the secret lives of the supporting characters, made the story trudge on as Katherine loved him, avoided him, loved him, and hated him. The two rape scenes (I can't in good conscience refer to them as sex scenes) were unnecessary and did not fit the story to that point. The ending also seemed forced.
Overall it was a story of obsession and scoundrels. Would not recommend unless you really love history and aren't that into Shakespeare.
I received an ARC from the publisher.
The idea was fascinating: in one of his lost years, Will Shakespeare seduces a widow who inspires him to write poetry even as she fears he will leave her and go back to London. But the sheer scope of foreshadowing of his evil nature, mimicked in the secret lives of the supporting characters, made the story trudge on as Katherine loved him, avoided him, loved him, and hated him. The two rape scenes (I can't in good conscience refer to them as sex scenes) were unnecessary and did not fit the story to that point. The ending also seemed forced.
Overall it was a story of obsession and scoundrels. Would not recommend unless you really love history and aren't that into Shakespeare.
I received an ARC from the publisher.
August 12, 2014
I read an early copy of this juicy and smart book about one of the lost years of Shakespeare's early life. The heroine is amazing. You will love spending time with her and Will Shakespeare. Highly recommended!
September 1, 2018
Some historians believe that during part of Shakespeare's "lost" years, he may have worked as a tutor in the wealthy estates of Catholic families in Lancashire. For one thing, there is some evidence that Shakespeare was a secret Catholic. For another thing, some of these wealthy lords left things in their wills to Shakespeare. (Although there is no explanation as to how they knew him.) I love hidden histories, and was really excited to find this book, which is built upon that premise.
Thirty-one year old Katherine is a widow who lives at Lufanwal, the Lancashire estate of her beloved Uncle Edward. The family are Catholic and the country is rife with persecution. After the murder of a priest, a new tutor arrives. His name is William Shakespeare. The twenty-six year old lad from Warwickshire is bawdy and rude, in direct contrast to Katherine's reserved ways. Needless to say, a relationship develops between them.
I loved the rich historical details of this book. Several stories are at play -- the persecution of Catholics, the dramatic woes of family members at Lufanwal, the dangerous roles of priests, and the frustrating relationship between Shakespeare and Katherine. She becomes his muse, helping him to write what will become one of his most famous poems "Venus and Adonis". But what a price she pays in the course of true love... Rumor has it Will has been kicked out of the house by his wife Anne, for his philandering ways. He is a notorious flirt who loves men as well as women. Yet Katherine becomes completely enamored with this unlikely rogue.
Shakespeare is not portrayed in a very flattering light -- that bothered me. (I love Will, don't like to see him knocked off his pedestal!) However, no one knows what the real Will was like, and in the end this is a good story with plausible angles. I recommend it for Shakespeare and Tudor fans, and anyone interested in this fascinating time period.
Thirty-one year old Katherine is a widow who lives at Lufanwal, the Lancashire estate of her beloved Uncle Edward. The family are Catholic and the country is rife with persecution. After the murder of a priest, a new tutor arrives. His name is William Shakespeare. The twenty-six year old lad from Warwickshire is bawdy and rude, in direct contrast to Katherine's reserved ways. Needless to say, a relationship develops between them.
I loved the rich historical details of this book. Several stories are at play -- the persecution of Catholics, the dramatic woes of family members at Lufanwal, the dangerous roles of priests, and the frustrating relationship between Shakespeare and Katherine. She becomes his muse, helping him to write what will become one of his most famous poems "Venus and Adonis". But what a price she pays in the course of true love... Rumor has it Will has been kicked out of the house by his wife Anne, for his philandering ways. He is a notorious flirt who loves men as well as women. Yet Katherine becomes completely enamored with this unlikely rogue.
Shakespeare is not portrayed in a very flattering light -- that bothered me. (I love Will, don't like to see him knocked off his pedestal!) However, no one knows what the real Will was like, and in the end this is a good story with plausible angles. I recommend it for Shakespeare and Tudor fans, and anyone interested in this fascinating time period.
July 19, 2021
This book reminded me of the power of language—to seduce, to inflame, to wound. More than the story (which was captivating), it was the architecture of words that thrilled me. Yes, I’m a giant prose dork. I was really thrilled by the author’s portrayal of Shakespeare. Was he a passionate man or simply a gifted writer? Ultimately, she portrayed him as narcissistic and opportunistic, but never denied his brilliance.
April 25, 2015
I received an ARC of Andrea Chapin's The Tutor compliments of Goodreads Firstreads Giveaway and appreciated the opportunity.
I was easily drawn into the times and drama in this fictional portrayal of the lost years of William Shakespeare. The author was well-researched and described the architecture, attire and religion in great detail. The novel held poetry throughout the pages, a tribute to Shakespeare and his writing. I was taken back to the time of kings and queens, the hardships and the life of the royals and elite. Any fan of Elizabethan times could appreciate the challenges faced by both maid and master. The author is well-rounded in sharing both sides of the tale. I rate 4/5 stars.
I was easily drawn into the times and drama in this fictional portrayal of the lost years of William Shakespeare. The author was well-researched and described the architecture, attire and religion in great detail. The novel held poetry throughout the pages, a tribute to Shakespeare and his writing. I was taken back to the time of kings and queens, the hardships and the life of the royals and elite. Any fan of Elizabethan times could appreciate the challenges faced by both maid and master. The author is well-rounded in sharing both sides of the tale. I rate 4/5 stars.
March 7, 2015
Book # 29 Read in 2015
The Tuor by Andrea Chapin
This book was a good historical fiction read, telling about Katherine and her dalliance with William Shakespeare. It detailed the religious persecution of that time, the limited rights of women and how marriage matches were made. Katherine was an intelligent, interesting character. Over 300 pages long, the writing flowed nicely and made this a quick read. I enjoyed it. I borrowed this book from my local library.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
The Tuor by Andrea Chapin
This book was a good historical fiction read, telling about Katherine and her dalliance with William Shakespeare. It detailed the religious persecution of that time, the limited rights of women and how marriage matches were made. Katherine was an intelligent, interesting character. Over 300 pages long, the writing flowed nicely and made this a quick read. I enjoyed it. I borrowed this book from my local library.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
August 6, 2015
I loved the unique perspective of life at the time period and William Shakespeare's life. The main character is relatable and the author does a great job of making the characters come to life. I would highly recommend this!
January 4, 2016
We don't know much about Shakespeare's personal life, so it's entirely possible that he was a proto-pickup artist, right?
April 4, 2022
Rated R for some fairly graphic sexual imagery. PG-13 for mature content if Chapin could have left out the protagonist's racy imagination.
The Tutor is an interesting historical fiction about Elizabethan England, in the midst of the Protestant persecution of the Catholics and as William Shakespeare was just beginning his writing. Chapin throws in two twists: first, that the protagonist's noble family is secretly Catholic - secretly, because if discovered, they could lose their lives and property to Queen Elizabeth. The second twist is the title. Who is the tutor? Ostensibly, it is William Shakespeare, who appears as a [rather bawdy and crass] tutor for the young men of the household. Katherine, the protagonist, quickly meets him, is initially disgusted by his manners and apparent lack of formal education. But, as they grow to know each other better, Katherine and Will begin a long dialogue over a narrative poem that he is writing: Adonis and Venus. The real question by the end of the novel, which I did find intriguing, is who tutors whom...and in what.
I wanted to like Katherine. I did at the beginning. But by the middle of the book, I was disappointed in her discernment, and the end was really disappointing in that she...kind of got everything, despite making some really STUPID decisions. She got to pursue her celebrity relationship (what I call an "Edward Cullen" relationship with a brilliant, secretive and kind of dangerous young guy) until that fell apart like a burning bridge. And then when it fell apart, she finally realized that the older, steadier man who actually loved her (and whom she liked/loved, too, just not with that teenage crush) was still there for her. It's not ever entirely satisfying to have characters who get to have their cake and eat it too. Especially because she was warned by others all along to open her eyes to more than sheer passion.
I also really don't understand a novel in which the main family clings to their Catholic faith under sharp persecution but...really doesn't hold to any of the main tenets of the faith.
The Tutor is an interesting historical fiction about Elizabethan England, in the midst of the Protestant persecution of the Catholics and as William Shakespeare was just beginning his writing. Chapin throws in two twists: first, that the protagonist's noble family is secretly Catholic - secretly, because if discovered, they could lose their lives and property to Queen Elizabeth. The second twist is the title. Who is the tutor? Ostensibly, it is William Shakespeare, who appears as a [rather bawdy and crass] tutor for the young men of the household. Katherine, the protagonist, quickly meets him, is initially disgusted by his manners and apparent lack of formal education. But, as they grow to know each other better, Katherine and Will begin a long dialogue over a narrative poem that he is writing: Adonis and Venus. The real question by the end of the novel, which I did find intriguing, is who tutors whom...and in what.
I wanted to like Katherine. I did at the beginning. But by the middle of the book, I was disappointed in her discernment, and the end was really disappointing in that she...kind of got everything, despite making some really STUPID decisions. She got to pursue her celebrity relationship (what I call an "Edward Cullen" relationship with a brilliant, secretive and kind of dangerous young guy) until that fell apart like a burning bridge. And then when it fell apart, she finally realized that the older, steadier man who actually loved her (and whom she liked/loved, too, just not with that teenage crush) was still there for her. It's not ever entirely satisfying to have characters who get to have their cake and eat it too. Especially because she was warned by others all along to open her eyes to more than sheer passion.
I also really don't understand a novel in which the main family clings to their Catholic faith under sharp persecution but...really doesn't hold to any of the main tenets of the faith.
February 17, 2019
The Tutor is billed on the cover as an “account of William Shakespeare’s muse in 1590s England.” I’ll try not to add any other spoilers.
First, I salute Chapin’s hutzpah in even attempting to write dialogue spoken by Shakespeare. She succeeded, too. Readers will be reminded of Shakespeare in Love in the way phrases and information from plays get worked into the novel’s dialogue.
Chapin must have suffered great headaches of research, since she was able to plant us firmly in time and place with details of buildings, clothing, meals, customs, herbal medicines, witch trials, books, music, etc.
She also reminds us of the great danger faced by Catholics, which our main characters are. In the first sentence, Richard, a member of Sir Edward’s household, discovers the corpse of a murdered priest, so we’re pulled right into sympathy for the family and the care they must take to hide their faith.
Even though I loved all the lavish description, it took me a while to warm up to the book, but I did. Our protagonist, feisty Kate, is quite likeable, and the family and servants around her come to life as real people, some you’d like as friends, some you’d duck around a corner to avoid. Kate not only brings a modern feminist slant to male-told history, but she suggests another possible answer to the question of how a working-class man without a university degree could become the greatest dramatist of all time.
I was pleased and vexed in almost equal measure by the plot, but such is life.
First, I salute Chapin’s hutzpah in even attempting to write dialogue spoken by Shakespeare. She succeeded, too. Readers will be reminded of Shakespeare in Love in the way phrases and information from plays get worked into the novel’s dialogue.
Chapin must have suffered great headaches of research, since she was able to plant us firmly in time and place with details of buildings, clothing, meals, customs, herbal medicines, witch trials, books, music, etc.
She also reminds us of the great danger faced by Catholics, which our main characters are. In the first sentence, Richard, a member of Sir Edward’s household, discovers the corpse of a murdered priest, so we’re pulled right into sympathy for the family and the care they must take to hide their faith.
Even though I loved all the lavish description, it took me a while to warm up to the book, but I did. Our protagonist, feisty Kate, is quite likeable, and the family and servants around her come to life as real people, some you’d like as friends, some you’d duck around a corner to avoid. Kate not only brings a modern feminist slant to male-told history, but she suggests another possible answer to the question of how a working-class man without a university degree could become the greatest dramatist of all time.
I was pleased and vexed in almost equal measure by the plot, but such is life.
August 17, 2025
Üsna suur pettumus. Lootsin nii palju enamat: ajalooline romaan minu lemmiknäitekirjanikust Shakespeare’ist enne kuulsaks saamist, kui ta oli koduõpetajaks mõjuka katoliikliku perekonna juures. Shakespeare’i elust on üsna vähe teada ning temast kui inimesest, tema iseloomust, mõtetest ja tunnetest veelgi vähem, nii et Andrea Chapin on lasknud oma fantaasial korralikult lennata, mis iseenesest ei ole ju ajaloolise ilukirjanduse puhul taunitav, aga mulle tema poolt maalitud pilt ajaloo geniaalseimast näitekirjandusest kohe kuidagi ei istu. Chapin kujutab Shakespeare’i edeva, liiderliku, pealiskaudse ja valeliku mehena, kes magatab teenijatüdrukuid ning lipitseb endast kõrgemal seisvate lordide ees. Mulle ei mahu kuidagi pähe, et inimene, kes on lugenud Shakespeare’i vaimukaid näidendeid ja surematuid sonette, suudab kirjanikku nii labaselt kujutada.
Raamatul iseenesest ei ole midagi viga ning näiteks katoliiklaste tagakiusamine kuninganna Elizabeth I poolt väga põnev ja minu jaoks uudne teema, aga tõepoolest, peategelaseks oleks võinud olla mõni väljamõeldud ilukirjanduslik tegelane, ja mitte William Shakespeare.
Raamatul iseenesest ei ole midagi viga ning näiteks katoliiklaste tagakiusamine kuninganna Elizabeth I poolt väga põnev ja minu jaoks uudne teema, aga tõepoolest, peategelaseks oleks võinud olla mõni väljamõeldud ilukirjanduslik tegelane, ja mitte William Shakespeare.
August 24, 2022
Katherine de L’Isle was taken in by relatives when young and educated by an uncle, but as a young widow, she now has little to occupy herself outside her books. That is, until she meets the family’s new tutor, a brash, charming young poet named Will Shakespeare, who was just beginning his writing career. She acts as his muse, and despite her misgivings, soon fears she’s falling in love with him. Interwoven with Katherine’s story is a history of the 1590s, with Queen Elizabeth’s war against English Catholics. We read about ‘priest holes’ and murdered priests, and Katherine’s beloved Uncle Edmund is forced to flee the country while other family members are arrested.
I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story, but there was entirely too much of Shakespeare’s “Venus and Adonis” poem for my taste. I found myself skipping most of the Shakespearean text, finishing the book only to find out what happened to the heroine at the end.
I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story, but there was entirely too much of Shakespeare’s “Venus and Adonis” poem for my taste. I found myself skipping most of the Shakespearean text, finishing the book only to find out what happened to the heroine at the end.
July 23, 2018
I read this book during a layover, and devoured it (I read the whole thing, cover to cover, in two and a half hours)! Chapin's utilization of wit allows this book to read like a Shakespearean comedy, whilst also displaying a portrait of Shakespeare not often displayed in fiction. The heroine, even as a romantic interest, truly challenges Shakespeare in his work, but ultimately as a person (and boy was that ending satisfying)! I do wish that there had been more exploration into Katherine's own literary revisions, as she actually looked over the sonnets, but still, an amazing read!
November 13, 2022
Premise is that very young William Shakespeare arrives to tutor the young boys I do the estate. Katharine, a 31 year old widowed cousin living there, becomes his muse and collaborator as he writes his first serious sonnet. She also falls madly in love with him not heeding many warning signs. I really liked the first half of this book but things went downhill for me. Will was manipulating and self interested and used Katharine terribly. It started to remind me of the worst hallmark movies. Even the end! I felt like the author lost her way a little.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2018
I very much enjoyed this novel. I enjoyed the literary bantering between Katherine and Will (Shakespeare), and the historical setting of the time when Catholicism was basically outlawed in England by the Queen. I enjoyed many of the characters, and the behind the scenes dramas being played by other members of the household. I'd love to visit some of the mansions mentioned in the book - I believe one is still standing. Very enjoyable.
June 30, 2023
I found this a wonderful book; intelligent, colorful, engrossing, and educational in its descriptions of the period. The characters are believable and complex, and I've never thought of Shakespeare in the manner portrayed. I was somewhat concerned at the early stages that it might be a "romance" sort of novel, which is not my thing; but, instead it was a very well-written historical drama. I really enjoyed it.
June 24, 2018
The time is 1590 and William Shakespeare is a tutor for a Catholic family in England (when Catholics were killed and Protestants were revered). A young woman falls in love with the tutor and sets a course for what her future will be.
December 28, 2022
I was disappointed that this book was less a historical novel and more a romance novel, which is not my preferred genre. Having said that it did keep my interest for the most part and the characters were believable.
October 13, 2017
Sadly, couldn't connect to any of the characters. Some parts were very interesting history wise but other ones totally lost me.
September 3, 2018
Interesting premise; poorly developed.
January 1, 2020
I loved it!
March 13, 2022
Was drawn by the historical aspect and the inclusion of a Shakespeare tie-in. The blurb made me think murder mystery but it was a complete romance novel. Good for some but not my cup of tea.
October 11, 2022
Could not get into it. It is to some degree historical fiction but incredibly "dry" reading. Not a fan at all!
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