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Made the mistake of going to Kingston Lacy's second-hand bookshop today! £2 for these!

I really enjoyed this novel which portrays life in the court of King Philip IV of Spain and invites the reader to view history and its portrayal on many different levels. In doing so she sacrifices getting to the heart of some more interesting side stories but the depiction of the king is so compelling in capturing his frustrated rule. A unique and beautifully written novel.

Much of the prose here feels like Amy Sackville is painting with words. While the artist she discusses is known for realistic creations this book is the opposite of that. Here we have beautiful images created through words that somehow weave together a story framed by a narrator looking back on the life of an artist through his own works. If that sounds a little unusual, it‘s because this book is just that. Unusual but rewarding.