Historical Novel - The Blue

Reviewed by Francine

As an artist and novelist this particular novel incited interest for no other reason but the blue pigment so sought after by artisan potters and early manufacturers of glazed pottery. Early imports of Chinese blue and white porcelain to Europe in the latter half of the 17^th century wrought bitter envy of the almost translucent quality of Chinese porcelain, which rendered it priceless to all but the aristocracy. In short, the Dutch perfected (blue delftware minus translucence 1600s). But Johan Friedrich Böttger (German Alchemist 1700s) is acclaimed as the father of European porcelain by perfecting that same translucent fineness to the porcelain itself. Whilst there is conflicting evidence suggesting Johan stole the formula from his master alchemist Ehrenfried Walther von Tscirnhaus, the author refers to the former as backdrop to her story, "The Blue".

Thus, set against the background of fierce industrial espionage and theft, Ms Bilyeau has cleverly crafted a novel beset with rivalry and murderous intent. Forced by her grandfather to leave London and decorate mere plates at a Derby porcelain works, the rebel minded Genevieve Planche sets out to realise her true artistic dream by committing to wilful deception. Equally on a quest to obtain a secret formula for translucent blue pigment, a dashing and charming Sir Gabriel Courtenay enlists the help of the disillusioned young would-be artist. Her imagined simple task at her appointed place of work soon tests her loyalties to differing people, and extreme guilt prevails. Worse, romantic entanglements past and present reveal her naivety to the ways of men, and a dream fulfilled by Courtenay is a price she is unwilling to pay and must suffer the consequences, unless—.  Here is where I shall end my review in order to avoid ruination of a suspenseful story, except to say the novel is well written and reveals a great deal of history relevant to the protagonist’s lifetime and that of her family heritage.

Reviewer asides: I can see the likelihood of a sequel to this novel, for it was not beyond the scope for a female artist to become a respected portraitist in Genevieve’s lifetime and beforehand. The 17th century female portraitists, Joan Carlile and Mary Beale were admired and respected, and 18th century Angelica Kauffman and Mary Moser were female founders of the Royal Academy of Arts in London in 1768. The aforementioned are but a few of the great female painters of their respective eras.

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15th Century Biography.

Reviewed by Francine:

Set in 15^th century Wallachia (Romania) we are presented with the life of Vlad The Impaler son of Vlad Dracul. Thus Vlad Dracula’s life drifts from present to past with independent chapters. That in itself allows for no confusion between father and son, and Vlad’s earlier life.

Initially first-person narrative of the woman who becomes his wife, the Lady Ilona, portrays the man she falls in love with. Throughout her chapters we are in her and Vlad’s life together from her perspective. But Vlad’s early life and harrowing experience in the Ottoman Court, where he and his brother Radu were held captive, is depicted in third-person narrative, as are all earlier episodes and events in the build up to an equally page-turning denouement. It’s a fascinating fictional biography, dare I say a page-turning read with no holds barred on the gruesome elements alongside the salacious aspects of human nature and a warrior hell-bent on revenge. Vlad has every reason to enact revenge, aside from which he’s a reader, a thinker, a man who believes there is more to life than that of which we can see: much as philosophers have pondered life, the universe, and unearthly experiences through the ages.

Whilst superstition and soothsayers were commonplace in Vlad’s lifetime, is there an element of truth in the myth of Dracula, and if so, what is it? For readers who love to explore thoughts of a supernatural existence and other dimensions–call them what you will–this is a well-written account of Vlad’s life with fictional input which renders his story that of an excellent read. All told this is the strong story of man tainted with a reputation for cruel measures against his enemies, but where may he have learned the skills that led to his reputation? It is said Vlad Dracula was the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula” (1897). Perhaps it was, and yet, John William Polidori’s published “Vampyre” (1816)–reputedly acclaimed as the original work of Lord Byron–preceded Stoker’s novel. So what is the connection between Vlad of his time and Vlad of the Dracula myth?

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Historical Romance 18th Century

Life has cruel twists and turns, and Noelle de Vallon, has a far from forgiving nature in respect of a past lover. His sudden return to the local scene is but a sharp thorn she would rather extract for good, than fall foul to his unmitigated charm and seductive voice. What has brought him to home shores is a mystery to her, though a death in the family seems reason enough, but is obviously not the whole reason. As a reluctant French émigré at the height of the French Revolution Noelle has sought distraction from a broken heart, and in turn indulged the dangerous exploits of smuggling. Her fellow smugglers at arms are a mixed bunch of characters, and much the same can be said of the gentry set in the local parish. Amidst there number lurks a spy, and the Home Office are on the case, but who out of three people who descend on the local community is the actual agent seeking the identity of the spy?

Thus, with the excise men chasing her tail and a rakish lord returned, Noelle risks a great deal to evade surrender to romantic notions and evade arrest. Suddenly France or European cities such as Vienna seem an eminently safe haven in comparison to the trials and tribulations besetting her formerly charmed and nefarious lifestyle. But when one joins the ranks of deceivers then a greater deceiver may prove to be a foe and not friend at all, and with her life in the balance where in the devil is the man who said he loves her but is absent when needed most? This is truly a fun-filled smuggling romp involving misunderstandings, lustful pursuits, and scores of amusing asides. Enjoy!

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