Just Finished Reading: The Marsh King’s Daughter by Elizabeth Chadwick

England – The Year 1216. Young rebellious Miriel Weaver has finally gone too far in her disobedience to her new stepfather and is sent to the nearby convent to think on her sins. But her rebellious nature is not tolerated for a moment by the sisters and she is constantly in trouble and perpetually undertaking penance for her many rule infractions. Sent into the infirmary to look after the sick she meets the equally rebellious soldier of fortune Nicholas de Caen apparently shipwrecked on the treacherous coastal mudflats. Talking in his delirious sleep he mentions a hidden treasure and when he finally leaves Miriel escapes the confines of the convent and follows him to a hidden stash of gold. Seeing her chance she takes the opportunity to use part of the money to make a new life for herself away from the controlling ways of men. Meanwhile de Caen, finding himself robbed of a substantial portion of his money vows revenge against the duplicitous ex-nun no matter how long it takes to track her down. Years later, after many adventures for both of them, they finally meet again. Miriel now a successful married woman has never told her husband how she came by her original nest-egg that started her business empire and de Caen can never let it be known how someone so young managed to buy his first ship. The only question seems to be – who will betray the other first!

Despite being well written I found this book quite a slog. For one thing very little actually seemed to happen. There were few dramatic moments and they were rather far between as both main characters enlarged their respective businesses and both wondered about the fate of the other. Mostly I struggled with it because it was, fundamentally, a love story set in a medieval background. Although the characters themselves – including the minor characters too – were fully fleshed out individuals I didn’t particularly care for them very much. Not because any of them – apart from the villain of the piece – was particularly objectionable but because I had no real interest in whether or not they got together. On top of this it took an age for Miriel and Nick to finally admit to themselves and each other that they were more than old enemies and that their history together would play a large part in their future together. Chadwick continually telegraphed exactly what was coming up so any tension was reduced to a minimum. The few actual surprises could easily be surmised, and quickly accepted, because the plot demanded that they happen to get the lovers together in the final scene. It was, to be honest, all a bit of a yawn. Saying that, anyone out there not as jaded or as cynical as I am [grin] might enjoy a leisurely read following the rather circulatory path of true love in early 13^th century England. If so, then this is definitely the book for you!