Screaming in the Castle: Selected Shorter Pieces

by Charles Nicholl

Charles Nicholl’s unique writings awaken in me the same sort of heady excitement I used to feel when poring over my college course guide. What a prospect of learning I discovered in those catalogue pages, and in Nicholl’s work I similarly experience the thrill of intellectual prospecting. Journalist, far-þung traveller, unafÞliated scholar (his specialty is England’s rumbustious 16th and 17th centuries), Nicholl embodies in everything he writes what today seems a discarded tradition, that of the restlessly and insatiably curious mind. This varied and intriguing collection gathers together for the Þrst time Þfteen pieces ranging from travel sketches and inquisitive essays on literary or historical themes (including the title piece, about a sensational murder four hundred years ago in a small Italian village), to impressionistic takes on subjects as diverse as Central American politics and Bob Dylan’s music.

178 pages, Paperback

About the author

Charles Nicholl is an English author specializing in works of history, biography, literary detection, and travel. His subjects have included Christopher Marlowe, Arthur Rimbaud, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Nashe and William Shakespeare. Besides his literary output, Nicholl has also presented documentary programs on television. In 1974 he was the winner of the Sunday Times Young Writer Award for his account of an LSD trip entitled 'The Ups and The Downs'.

Nicholl was educated at King's College, Cambridge, and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and has lectured in Britain, Italy and the United States. He lives in Lucchesia in Italy with his wife and children. He also lectures on Martin Randall Travel tours.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charles Nicholl is a very worthy writer. I think I would read any topic he chooses. He is familiar with playwrights of the 16th and 17th century, of a tale of an Abruzzo girl who is remembered centuries later with a history that has perhaps no truth in it. He also writes about Dublin the 80s and the mystery of Jim Thompson's disappearance.

He is interested in a great many topics all of which are well researched. I want to read more of him.