Having the Decorators In by Reay Tannahill

EC2 · Post by **EC2** » Fri September 12th, 2008, 5:34 pm

14th Century England.
Having the Decorators in is a follow up to Reay Tannahill's earlier novel Having the Builders in. Dame Constance's extension of her family pile at Vine Regis that caused her so much trouble in the former novel is now complete, but she needs something to grace the walls of her new great chamber. Hangings perhaps, or wall paintings. She decides on the latter and employs an Italian painter to craft her some murals. However, as with the building work, not everything goes smoothly. The peasants are revolting (!) and various refugees seeking security away from the violence wash up on her doorstep, including objectionable merchants and their lovelorn daughters, pilgrims and self-important clerics, not to mention a very annoying little boy who is suffering from a mysterious intermitent sickness. The dame's son Gervase is in need of a wife, but the one who would prove ideal for him doesn't want a husband. It's enough to give any woman a migraine, but Dame Constance is made of sterner stuff.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable novel. It is light and frothy and goes down easily. There isn't that much of a plot, more a series of charming vignettes showing the life and times of the 14th century at the time of the Peasant's Revolt. Some of the sensibilities are occasionally forced towards the 21st century. I suspect, rather like the cartoony cover this is an attempt by the publishers to reach what is perceived as a modern chic-lit audience. Sometimes too the research is put into the novel for research's sake and there will be several pages that seem more like stuffing than an integral part of the story. However, on the whole I really enjoyed this book. There are many amusing moments and the character of Dame Constance shines from the pages. Treated as a palate cleanser between more weighty tomes of historical fiction, this one's a delight. A strong 4 stars from me and 8.9 out of ten in my reading journal.

diamondlil · Post by **diamondlil** » Fri September 12th, 2008, 8:54 pm

This just doesn't sound like a HF title to me!

EC2 · Post by **EC2** » Fri September 12th, 2008, 9:35 pm

[quote=""diamondlil""]This just doesn't sound like a HF title to me![/quote]

The cover doesn't reflect it either IMO. I think the publishers caught a cold on this one. ie. Good novel. Bad marketing.
I moved this review over from the old forum.

Amanda · Post by **Amanda** » Fri September 12th, 2008, 9:59 pm

I've got Builders, based on EC's review, and I have had Decorators in the shopping basket waiting for the next order! Then I will start reading...

annis · Post by **annis** » Sat September 13th, 2008, 2:41 am

I really enjoyed both "Builders" and "Decorators", but would agree with EC, they are light, frothy entertainment.
And I agree about the misleading covers as well - I guess someone was being clever with the modern connection suggested by the titles, but I ignored them for some time until I accidenatlly came across a review which made me realise that they were set in the medieval period and not the present day!

pat · Post by **pat** » Sat September 13th, 2008, 11:32 am

[quote=""diamondlil""]This just doesn't sound like a HF title to me![/quote]
My thoughts exactly!