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Man, I just love this book. And having read it at least three times since it first came out in 1999, I can say that it not only holds up, but also the more I read it, the more I find to like in it. Alan Gordon is a legal aid attorney; you'd think, wouldn't you, that he'd write legal thrillers? But happily (although I suspect he'd write great ones), he instead has created more than a historical mystery series; he's created an almost alternative world, where the Fool's Guild is actually a combination spy ring, diplomatic corps and entertainment guild. Given that fools and jesters can go anywhere, be found in the high courts, are given leave, by their nature, to make fun of kings, princes, popes and commoners, they have access to the mighty and the lowest and here, in the 13th century, they try to influence the dealings of nations and nation-states. This first book of a series is, I'm happy to report, back in print thanks to Jim Huang and the Crum Creek Press, Theophilus, some years ago, was known as Feste and if you know, or remember, your Shakespeare, he had a part in the adventures of the people and events described by Shakespeare in TWELFTH NIGHT. Here, Gordon retells that story, in a way, showing that actually the seemingly coincidental events were planned, and that Feste left Orsino knowing he had helped keep some awful things from happening. He also, it would seem, gained an enemy in Malvolio and alas, he fell in love. Just as well that he has a profession that requires lots of travel. Word now comes to Theophilus the Fool, a message from a stranger who needs to tell Feste "Orsino is dead". That's it. The duke has died. The guild finds it suspicious, and wants Theophilus to return to Orsino, and learn the truth. Disguised, oddly, not in his jester's clothing, but as a merchant, he returns to encounter people from years ago, some better, some worse, some stronger, some weaker. A regent must be chosen to protect the boy who will be Duke some day, and his life may be in danger. From the start, this is a fascinating concept, and from the start, this book is full of wonderful stuff, not all of which is the amazing concept of the narrative. There are lovely little things dropped into the story -- many of which I'm sure I missed -- but I got the reference to the nice young man named Francesco de Bernadone, son of a wealthy merchant who speaks nicely to Theo's evil-minded horse, which calms down almost immediately. Nice guy, hails from Assisi. Just the opening pages, when the visitor brings the news of Orsino, and is faced with a collection of jesters whose every line is a pun, a joke, a witticism and you know you're not in a 'normal' book. And what a kick. If you're willing to extend a little and accept a wonderful premise, tales of intelligence, and scandal, evil and good, with fascinating characters ranging from Feste and several familiar TWELFTH NIGHT folks -- Aguecheek, Toby Belch, and of course, Viola, the Duchess -- do read this book. And reread it, because as in a good play, you're so enjoying what you see that there's by-play you'll want to see closer. The unmasking of the villain and the clues to various people, religion, power plays, disguises and behaviors are all there if you're clever enough. If you're not, just watch Feste work; he's a delight. The language of the book works well -- without either anachronism or weighty 'forsooths' -- to give it the right feel.
Reviewed by Andi Shechter, August 2004
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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