Seven members of our group met to discuss our high Summer read - a complex novel set in 1663 around the individual narrated memoirs of four characters, about the circumstances surrounding a murder in Oxford.
The book is 698 pages long and most of us agreed it was quite hard to read. It is easy to lose track and forget some of the detail (there was a lot of back and forth in the reading for those of us who like to stay in control!). Whilst a fascinating read, this is a perfect book for group discussion. As we talked the layers unpeeled and between us, we came to realise the depth and meaning of the content which made the book all the more interesting. Knowing Oxfordshire really added a level of enjoyment - we all agreed that Thame has improved significantly from the 1663 description as a 'mean' little town!
Many of the characters and places are real. Two of the four narrators are historical figures: John Wallis (before Isaac Newton he was the most influential English mathematician) and Anthony Wood (an Oxford historian). The other two narrators (Jack Prestcott and Marco da Cola) are fictional characters though based on real people of the time.
Other characters are also drawn from real life and events of the time. There are so many characters it is impossible to reflect on all of them here.
We were as one with regard to John Wallis (we didn't like him much) and Anthony Wood was a firm favourite. Anthony was an Oxford man through and through; he was born, lived and died in Postmaster's Hall in Merton Street and educated at Merton College. In the story, Anthony comes across as a man with (at least) some conscience - it does seem however that he was not as well liked in real life and is described as: 'a cantankerous and vituperative character who fell out with everyone sooner or later.' he was also sued for libel.
So many other real historical figures pop up in the story and add to the richness of the reading experience - this is a time of enlightenment when so much is being discovered in science, engineering, medicine etc. it is a great read just for the historical interest.
Sarah Blundy was, we felt, the character with most integrity - her character is fascinating, and led our discussions into the religious and symbolic nature of the story. We also liked that a woman was the central character of interest. The other woman of significance is Kitty who, despite her circumstances, was a woman of independence.
Throughout, the order of things (religion and society) is upheld at this time (which is just after the restoration of the monarchy following the English Civil War, when the authority of King Charles is not yet certain). Even the academics and men of science didn't waiver from their belief in the order of things.
What is the 'fingerpost'? this is explained late on in the novel as: 'When in the investigation of any nature the understanding is so balanced as to be uncertain, instances of the fingerpost show the question is decided. Such instances afford very great light, the course of interpretation sometimes ending in them. Sometimes these instances meet us accidentally among those already noticed.' In the original Latin, the term "fingerpost" is simply "cross" (crucis), echoing the decisive "crucifixion" revealed in the story.
Overall we concluded that this is a very well researched and clever novel. Pears slips in little facts that add to the interest. All is woven together so as to tell small stories within a bigger plot that will not be uncovered until the very end - this is a very clever book indeed.
Would we recommend this book? Yes, particularly as one to be discussed with others and certainly for anyone with a love of Oxford.
Our next book is a lighter, though equally historical, story of Ross Poldark by Winston Graham - we will meet on Thursday 23rd November at The Hundred to discuss our autumn reading experience.
