Welcome to Litsy!

https://www.walterscottprize.co.uk/the-2023-prize/

Signed after the Stuart Restoration, the Act of Oblivion allowed many who had supported Cromwell and the Roundheads to retain rights and privileges. For the 59 men who had tried Charles I, or signed his death warrant, it was a death sentence. This books tells the story of two anti-royalist men, Whaley and Goffe, (real people) who escaped to America and of Richard Nayler (fictional) who hunted them for years. A bit too long, but an engaging read.

Great book. The audiobook narrator was not too much to my taste so I ended up reading a hardcover from the library. The novel has some exciting action, and some thrills, but a lot of the book is slow paced and deals with the English political history of the republic and of the restauration of the monarchy in England. American history of the period is explored in less detail but I still enjoyed it.

The audiobook is pretty 👍 I might just get the hardcover. Slow burn kind of historical novel but I love it so far

Thought this was going to be an all action chase across counties to find the remaining killers of Charles I, but it just fell a bit flat for me. It wasn‘t all action and some parts were very dull for me. I know it‘s an accurate historical reflection of the time, but there is also a lot of religious stuff!

#gladstones
Next one up. Couple of hours until Sunday roast 😁

Harris fictionalises the chase for those who killed Charles I after the Restoration. Seems so far away in some ways (horrendous public punishments, weeks to travel to and across the US). Some parallels though in terms of the communities of belief who barely acknowledge one another.
For me compelling historical fiction.

That must be Harvard College, where they produced the stern sectaries who spread their dour religion across New England. A strange country this, he thought, where two such conflicting races and philosophies, heathens and fanatics, existed side by side. What good could ever come of it?

It was only later that he recognised the folly he had fallen into, a human trait he had long observed: that merely because one wishes to believe in a thing, it does not follow tha it is true.

Not sure if appropriate reading today...