The Marsh King's Daughter (2001) - Plot & Excerpts
Born out of wedlock, Miriel Weaver adored her grandfather, a master weaver of fine wool. Her step-father takes over the weaving business upon her grandfather's death and Miriel rebels against him once to often and is packed off to a convent, although her rebellious nature continues and she doesn't exactly get along with life with the nuns either. Nicholas de Caen was a prisoner of King John until the baggage train is lost when the tide overtakes it as they are crossing the marsh. Nicholas reaches shore and finds quite a prize - a fortune in coin and the crown of the Empress Matilda. He is able to hide the treasure before he collapses from the ordeal and is eventually found by Miriel and another nun and nursed back to health.Miriel follows Nicholas when he leaves and convinces him to escort her to safety in a new town, but when he falls asleep the lure of the crown and the silver is too much and believing she's entitled to some for saving his life she takes what she considers her fair share and soon sets herself up in the wool business. Unable to trace her, Nicholas cuts his loses and uses what is left of the treasure to purchase a ship or two and begins shipping goods. Miriel eventually marries twice, but neither marriage is for love and both are older men. Her second husband Robert is ambitious and controlling and will stop at nothing to achieve his ends, including murder. Of course fate ordains that Nicholas and Miriel's path will cross again - will it develop into love or hate for her betrayal? What will Robert do when he realizes the two have a past connection?Well, you know I'm not telling - read it for yourself. This was another outstanding saga from Elizabeth Chadwick, I simply cannot get enough of her books, and every one of them sends me back to another world, another time. This was a bit different from the author's usual story; you won't find any lords, ladies or knights in this one. Just a fascinating look at the ins and outs of the wool trade, an interesting foot note in history on the disappearance into the quicksand of King John's treasure. I really enjoyed the pairing of Nicholas and Miriel and as for Robert, what a delightfully OTT baddie. Oh, and for the record I do enjoy a good well-rounded bad guy, I just dislike it when authors use cheap tricks like yellow teeth and stinky breath *telling* me how bad the baddie is instead of *showing* me. Hats off to Ms. Chadwick for knowing the difference. Five stars.
Another environment lush, character vivid, and story intense work from Elizabeth Chadwick! Not only does this author spin a good yarn, but she transports her readers to another world with problems, dilemmas, and battles all its own, and yet a world that is very much like our own as well. History comes alive in her hands, and that's one of the main reasons I keep coming back to her, again and again.I loved how the author concentrated on the middle class of medieval society in this work, not the lords and ladies in their castles and keeps. We got to see how the business men and women of that era lived and worked and loved. The world of the passionate wool trade and the surprisingly-political common nunneries came alive. I think I prefer the works that concentrate on the "little people" rather than the nobles sometimes as they become more relatable to people nowadays. They're trying to earn a living, provide for their families, and get on with their lives, just like we do in our modern society. Elizabeth Chadwick just brings that struggle to vivid life.I actually really liked her female lead in this book, as well. Unlike some of her other female characters which can be thought of a bit weak, Miriel is a woman with her own ambitions, plan, and ideals. She's not waiting for her "knight in shining armor" to come rescue her from her not-wanted-nunnery fate; heck no, she sees the opportunity the nunnery's unexpected visitor provides and negotiates her way out. And while she does periodically fall for the pitfalls of lust and passion which give some serious kinks in the road of life, Miriel rolls with the punches and eventually comes out on top with career, love, and family, all because she had the brain and wits to think for herself and not wait for life to happen.This novel kept me reading from page to page nonstop, not wanting to stop for piddely things like sleep and food. I really enjoyed this addition to my Elizabeth Chadwick library and can't wait to dive into the rest of my collection.
What do You think about The Marsh King's Daughter (2001)?
It had interesting possibilities, but just didn't carry through. Part of the problem for me was the crass descriptions etc. I don't need the details when the guy pees, when the wife is enduring her husband's sexual attentions and so on. It's not written to be deliberately lascivious, it is somewhat vulgar in the manner that time period was vulgar, but it's just not something I like. It leaves me wanting to wash my hands. Also, the plot just kept going and going and they marry the wrong people and are widowed and marry wrong again and ..... I didn't finish it.
—Keilani Ludlow
This is the second book I have read from this author. Absolutely outstanding storytelling that brings the characters and the period of history alive.The book is set during and after the reign of King John 1216. It is the story of Miriel weaver, step-daughter to a successful weaving family and a a soldier serving with King John. Miriel is banished by her wicked step-father to a nunnery and whilst there she saves the live of a soldier Nicholas de Caen who was nearly killed in a royal procession crossing a tidal causeway in Lincolnshire. He gives her a renewed passion for life and freedom and the means to escape from the convent. They soon part on somewhat bad terms and the book then proceeds to tell their separate journeys through life with an incredible finale when they are brought together again and the stakes run very high.Would definately recommend this author!
—Kevin Reekie
What's not to love? Perfect time period 1216. Characters are so real you feel like you know them all your life. You really want to see Robert Willoughby go down. You love Nicholas because he is pure of heart and reason. Miriel brings you on a roller coaster ride. You feel her sense of wanting to be free from her stepfather and her mother and the convent where she does not belong. You understand her decisions to marry a much older man. Who wouldn't make such a move given her circumstances? What I am saying here is that you read, you feel and you RELATE. Elizabeth Chadwick brings the Middle Ages to life for you. You can't lose with those book. It's not a mushy love story but it is a historical romance.
—Charlotte
