I'm reviewing The Corisco Conspiracy ...

... by Raphael Sone on the blog today.  Read on to find out what I made of this fascinating memoir...

This book is a memoir, and as such, some may consider it to be a truth told from one individual’s point of view.  Because that is what a memoir is, right?  Erm… not in this case.  The central character is William Shakespeare, referred to as Musketman Shakespeare, who, it turns out, was a spy!

The opening of the story lets you know that Shakespeare arrives in Rome to meet a fellow playwright with whom he plans to work.  However, his friend had left the city several weeks before William’s arrival and had gone to Spain.  Before making a decision about what to do next, Shakespeare is visited by one Guy Fawkes – yes, it is he of the bonfire fame – and William is diverted to the Island city of Corisco. It is there that Shakespeare contrives ‘the most diabolical assassination plot in British history.’

With a set-up like that, and my lifelong association with the real William Shakespeare through his plays and poetry, I just could not ignore this book.

The memoir opens in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1616 with the writer looking back on his life, his family and his work, which all seems quite tame. However, the tension gradually ramps up until you find yourself reading a romp of an adventure story.  The twists and turns in the plot kept me turning the page, and I finished it in two reading stints across one weekend.  I could not put this book down.

The narrative voice is companionable and flows very easily across the page, and perfectly suits the content of the memoir.  I liked the use of quotes from the real William's plays for each of the chapter headings.  I recognised most of the quotes taken from thirteen of the plays, but there were a small number that were a little more obscure.  However, I really enjoyed looking those up and re-reading some of the original verse or prose, including the quote.

All in all, this was a great read.  I hope Mr Sóne is working on something else to entertain us.

You can get the book Here

You can find out more about the author Here