1610: A Sundial in a Grave

In 1610: A Sundial in a Grave Gentle mixes history and fiction into something that is not quite a historical novel and not quite historical fantasy. I am not completely familiar with Gentle’s oeuvre but I was very much impressed by Ash - A Secret History, a novel in which she uses the same techniques, so I had high hopes of this novel as well. As with many good books it did not live up to my expectations in some ways and surprised me in others.

As the title suggests the novel opens anno 1610, a year that may change history. After centuries of wars France is now slowly gaining influence under le bon roi, Henry IV. A process that would reach its peak under Henry's grandson Louis XIV. Unfortunately for Henry not everybody agrees with his policies and in 1610 an attempt on his life succeeds. Valentin Rochefort has been coerced into an assassination attempt on Henry IV. Henry's wife, Maria de Medici is the one behind the plot. After having a hand in the death of the ruling monarch, Rochefort decides to leave the city but is delayed by a duel with a young upstart named Dariole. Rochefort hates Dariole bitterly but also experiences a perverse pleasure in being humiliated by the younger man. Initially Dariole plans to settle their duel once and for all, but after a lively debate with Rochefort, Dariole decides to follow him. Rochefort being pressed for time has no alternative but to agree.

Not until they reach the beach of Normandy do Maria de Medici's men catch up with the two. They have been delayed by finding a shipwrecked member of a Japanese diplomatic mission to the English court. Well versed in the diplomacy of the sword the three of them manage to overcome the party sent after Rochefort and take ship to England. Waiting for them in England is the physician, mathematician and astrologer Robert Fludd, a man who follows the teachings of Giordano Bruno. Fludd has mastered a kind of mathematics that allows him to calculate the future. He doesn't like what he has seen and has decided to change it. The year 1610 is the best opportunity to change history, it is pivotal in Fludd's calculations and so is Valentin Rochefort. In order to avoid a future Fludd dreads he needs Rochefort to assassinate King James I of England and VI of Scotland. Not a very popular monarch, James has been the target of the gunpowder conspiracy in 1605. He is a suspicious man and most likely a difficult target. Rochefort only adds to the difficulty by being reluctant to go along with Fludd's plans. How much will Fludd's calculations be worth when not everybody sees the future as he does?

Similar to the technique she used in Ash, this novel is presented as the memoirs of Valentin Rochefort complemented by a number of shorter documents that give the reader greater insight in the background and motivation of some of the other characters. Gentle manages to give it the feel of a historical document but with enough compromises to modern language to keep it readable. Rochefort describes his adventures in honest detail, in which his troubled relationship with Dariole is the recurring theme. Rochefort is not without his flaws. In fact, he is sexist, prejudiced and entirely too sure of himself even after Dariole's attempts to take him down a notch or two.

1610 is not a very accessible book. Gentle adds lots of historical detail. A basic knowledge of17th century European history will certainly help to appreciate it. Many of the characters in the book are historical and Gentle paints a vivid picture of France, gaining influence in Europe, England heading for civil war under James's son Charles I and Japan, on the brink of closing the country to foreigners. It also brushes on the 80 year war in the Low Countries, (a subject of many a boring history lessons for me) and the 30 year war that would ravage Germany a few years after the end of the book. Personally I find so much historical detail interesting but for some readers it will detract from the story. Unlike in Ash, the historical background is not added in the translator's notes so the reader has to work through it in the main text.

While Gentle succeeded very well in writing a story that could have happened without violating history as we know it, after all many of the details of Henri's assassination are unclear, the book is rather slow to start. The historical setting helped me get through the first 200 or so pages. After that the book really grabbed me and didn't let go. Gentle isn't afraid to show the cruel side of 17th century society. Especially the fighting scenes are vividly realistic descriptions of the style and weapons of the time, including their unpleasant effects on the combatants. She also does not shy away from crude language or explicit (and rather kinky) sexual scenes. It is well researched, well written and definitely challenging reading. Probably not everybody's cup of tea but I thought it well worth the read.

So.... has anybody seen that comet yet?

Other Reviews of works by Mary Gentle

Cartomancy - Apr 17, 2008

Ilario: The Lion's Eye - Feb 3, 2008

Rats and Gargoyles - Sep 10, 2005