Richard B. Wright’s 2001 novel, Clara Callan was a masterpiece that won Canada’s two most prestigious literary awards – the Governor General’s Award and the Giller Prize. I have tried to not to measure the author’s subsequent works by that book, but I admit that my expectations were high when I started his latest offering, Mr. Shakespeare’s Bastard.

Unfortunately, this book fell far short of my expectations and I finished it mainly because it was this month’s choice for our local book club, The Loquacious Compendium.

From the dust jacket:

In failing health, Aerlene Ward, an elderly housekeeper in an Oxfordshire manor, feels compelled to confess the great secret that has shaped her life: she is the illegitimate daughter of William Shakespeare, England’s most famous playwright. But will anyone believe her? Even Charlotte, the young mistress of the house who is writing Aerlene’s words down, is doubtful.

Wright tells a plausible story about Aerlene’s mother meeting and mating with Shakespeare. I’d be very surprised if the real Shakespeare didn’t have more “bastards”, so that revelation in itself is certainly not enough to carry this story. In fact, my complaint about this book is that there is no story. What happens is summed up on the dust jacket.

That said, there were some in our book club who agreed with this blurb:

With a brilliant eye and ear for this rich period of history, Richard B. Wright vividly evokes the seasonal rhythms of rural life in Oliver Cromwell’s England and the teeming streets of Shakespeare’s London as he interweaves the two women.

Certainly, Wright captures the female point of view beautifully and uses it often in his writing. This book is no exception. It’s easy to forget as one reads about Aerlene & her mother Elizabeth that the book has a male author. The female voice is amazingly authentic.

But the blurb also promises that “secrets are revealed, mysteries are uncovered, and futures are forever changed.” Sorry, I didn’t see that. What you’ve found out here is what happens. It’s a glimpse at seventeenth century England, especially London. There’s a brief introduction to Shakespeare, although he plays a minor role and is used mainly as a plot device (and title).

Since the book is well-written, it was suggested at our book club discussion that it might be a good Young Adult choice. However, Elizabeth’s morals leave much to be desired and her actions might not be appropriate reading for that age group.

Overall, I was very disappointed by Mr. Shakespeare’s Bastard, but you might be an historical fiction fan who will find it:

An engaging blend of invention and historical detail, a novel full of imagination and delicate emotion.

Many in The Loquacious Compendium did.

Links for my Canadian readers:

Clara Callan

Mr. Shakespeare’s Bastard

P.S. If you click through the affiliate links in the book titles, you may notice a different cover. I like to see the cover that’s on the copy I read – and it’s usually different than Amazon.com because they display the American release, and I read the Canadian. Again, the links are affiliate links so I will receive a small percentage of any purchase you make after clicking through from this blog.