As a Philippa Gregory fan since THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL, I'm sad to say that EARTHLY JOYS was a big disappointment for me. The main character, John Tradescant, a renowned 17th-century gardener, simply wasn't interesting enough to carry an entire narrative.
As written, he was SO two dimensional with annoyingly pathetic self-esteem, deriving his worth and value solely from his service to better men than himself, his Lords and Masters.
Perhaps he could've been a supporting character in a book about someone else, but 500+ pages of this man's slightness toward his own home and family, a devoted wife and son, in favor of his deep homosexual passions for noblemen was just plain meh.
The horticulture was interesting at times, but that component also became mundane after a while, especially if you're not into gardening!
I'm still yawning.
So I give EARTHLY JOYS 2/5 stars and certainly won't bother with the sequel. No thanks.
As written, he was SO two dimensional with annoyingly pathetic self-esteem, deriving his worth and value solely from his service to better men than himself, his Lords and Masters.
Perhaps he could've been a supporting character in a book about someone else, but 500+ pages of this man's slightness toward his own home and family, a devoted wife and son, in favor of his deep homosexual passions for noblemen was just plain meh.
The horticulture was interesting at times, but that component also became mundane after a while, especially if you're not into gardening!
I'm still yawning.
So I give EARTHLY JOYS 2/5 stars and certainly won't bother with the sequel. No thanks.
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