Friday, 12 February 2010

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News: The Fool's Girl by Celia Rees

I received an email today from Bloomsbury, news that they will be publishing Celia Rees' new novel, The Fool's Girl, on 5th April:

the fool's gold by celia reesAward-winning and bestselling author Celia Rees has broken her own rules with her new book. She vowed never use Elizabethan England as a setting and never to write about real historical figures. And so The Fool’s Girl opens in London 1601 with two characters just about to make the acquaintance of one William Shakespeare.

Whilst watching an open air performance of Twelfth Night (her favourite Shakespearean comedy), Celia found herself asking what happens next? What if the couples weren’t entirely satisfied with each other? What if the troublesome characters came back? The idea was born and so began the plan to tell the tale of Illyria after Twelfth Night ends.

Celia tells the story of Violetta, daughter of Viola. Violetta’s uncle has all but destroyed Illyria and taken control of what little is left of her beloved country. Meanwhile, the evil Malvolio has stolen Illyria’s sacred relic and sailed to England. Violetta and her aunt’s fool, Feste, have followed Malvolio in order to return the relic to its rightful place and to restore Violetta to her role as Duchess of Illyria. But to do so they need the help of a certain playwright.

Celia’s Shakespeare is yet to become the famous Bard we know him as today. In Celia’s words: ‘He would be a jobbing writer with inky fingers, trying to make a living, juggling his life in London with his life at home in Stratford, trying to survive, to keep his nose clean, in the dangerous, violent, difficult and volatile world at the end of Elizabeth’s reign. Hard at work, trying to keep his Company going, writing and re-writing, always on the lookout for stories to keep up with the need for plays and more plays. When he happens upon two street performers, a Fool and his beautiful young girl assistant, he finds one.’

The Fool’s Girl is full of danger, adventure and romance. With enemies at every turn, every friend possibly a traitor, it makes for a thrilling and suspensful read.
From the Bloomsbury Press Release.
How awesome does this book sound? Just fantastic! And Bloomsbury have kindly made The Fool's Girl: Chapter 1 available to read online. For all the latest news on Celia’s books, reviews and event details, make sure you become a fan of Celia on Facebook.

4 comments:

  1. Wow! Sounds like a great book!

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  2. It does, doesn't it! I love the idea of characters meeting Shakespeare, and I love fools/jesters! IT sI'm looking forward to it! :)

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