Reading for pleasure

Tregian's Ground

The Life and Sometimes Secret Adventures of Francis Tregian,
Gentleman and Musician

Anne Cuneo (translated by Glasser and Lalaurie) (And Other Stories: £10)

We are in Elizabethan times. It is dangerous to be a Catholic in England or Holland. Spies abound, whether of the two religions or of factions of the English nobility, such as my Lords Burghley and Southampton. In truth our publisher friends at And Other Stories must have a similar spy network, as they continue to unearth books of extraordinary originality and diversity from all over the world. We know that Francis Tregian the Younger did exist. It is believed by many that his was the guiding (and possibly the literal) hand behind The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, one of the most important collections of Tudor music.

From the clues she unearthed in seven years of research, Ms Cuneo has written his life story. Her methodology is set out in a short afterword, “Looking for Francis Tregian”. The net result is a wonderful narrative of the life and times of Francis Tregian aka Frans Tréville aka François Cousin, musician, cloth merchant, prisoner, instrument maker. Of Cornish origin, the Tregian estates were forfeited when Tregian’s father was imprisoned for being too impolitic and indiscreet in his adherence to his Catholic faith. Our hero’s travels and education take him to London, to France, Holland and Italy. He meets monarchs (Elizabeth I, Henri of Navarre), cardinals and nobles, musicians such as Monteverde, and Shakespeare himself.

I enjoyed this book hugely. It is another pin in my decades-long aversion to historical fiction, a deflation which began with O’Brian’s Master and Commander series and continues with the work of Hilary Mantel. If you enjoyed Wolf Hall, you’ll like this. (I appreciate that for some that may not be a recommendation: many gave up after 20 pages, and I struggled at my first attempt.) I will go further. If you like reading well researched European history with an emphasis on social history, both that of the court and of the bourgeoisie, give this a try.

Up Against the Night

Justin Cartwright (Bloomsbury: £18.99)

There is now a substantial volume of literature around post-apartheid South Africa, usually featuring a central character who returns to discover that things ain’t what they used to be. So what makes this book stand out?

Although his name is not familiar to me, Mr Cartwight is a well established novelist, his first having been published in 1972. One could guess as much, the fluency of his prose making this a very easy read. Some have criticised the slow early pace: for myself I think his scene setting is necessary. Frank McAllister, the central character, concludes on the final page that he had come full circle. Probably a better title, but, I guess, one which has been used many times before, on works of lesser quality. The night of the title may be a reference to the darker elements of modern South Africa. Until the end, you get very little of this from Frank himself. Now resident in London where he has acquired a fortune and an MBE, he has retained a beach property in Cape Town. He returns there, with his new wife to be, his daughter from whom he had become estranged during her period of drug addiction, his son, and Isaac, a child whom his daughter has acquired in strange circumstances. Their life, with travels into the bush, barbeques and reconciliation is simply Eden on earth. The counterpoint is provided by Frank’s cousin Jaco. A racist and an alcoholic, indebted to Frank for buying him out of the Church of Scientology, Jaco’s travels and escapades cast a spotlight on what many see as the inherent flaws of South Africa in the 21st century.

A historical backdrop is the story of Piet Retief, an ancestor of Frank (and also, I believe, of Mr Cartwright) who was butchered by a Zulu tribe, probably sowing the seeds of white versus black tension in the country. We all know that the story of the original Eden did not end well. From at least halfway in, it becomes clear that there will be a dramatic finale, but when it comes it is an unexpected one. If, like me, you haven’t encountered Jason Cartwright before, time to make a new acquaintance.

Scotland the Best

Peter Irvine (Collins: £15.99; e-book £11.19)

After a gap of four years, this guide to the best Scotland can offer is now in its 12th edition. This is more than a personal view and reviews of hotels, restaurants and hostelries, but a much wider appreciation of the countryside, outdoor activities and historical places. For example, the islands have a chapter dedicated to themselves, and “Historical places” is an eclectic mix from houses and castles to graveyards. Walks abound, as do the festivals. Even garden centres, with the now almost obligatory cafe, are lauded. Personal views these may be, but dipping one's toe into new places confirms that Irvine's review is spot on. The author welcomes feedback and insights into new offerings. A quick cross check by the cautious on our own reticent, nimble of foot, dark horse restaurant critic member "Tom Eats" (ormidalels.com/tom-eats/) offers comfort on Mr Irvine's fine offerings.

The House on the Lake

Thomas Harding (William Heinemann: £20; e-book £9.99)

Through the prism of a former family home, Thomas Harding offers an insight, from a personal perspective, on the history of Germany from 1890 to 2014. The house in the title was built by the author's great grandfather as a weekend house. His relative was a German Jew, a very successful doctor who sought to enlighten his family and enjoy the countryside outside the rapidly expanding Berlin. The house was built on the shores of the Glienicke Lake on land belonging to the estate of Ottoman Wollank, whose family history is intricately woven (and central) to the changing political, cultural and environmental narrative of Gross Glienicke in particular, and Germany in general. In light of the constraints on Jewish life in the mid-1930s, the house was given over to use by others and the author skilfully uncovers the identity of the inhabitants of the house, telling their life stories within the wider historical context. We observe the transformation of life in Germany, the Nazi period, the war (with the strategic Gatow airfield developed nearby), the erection of the Berlin Wall at the end of the garden, dividing the house from the lake, and its ultimate dismantling. The author saves the house from demolition and has it accorded historical status. This is a terrific, enlightening journey, and an ultimately heartwarming family history.