Customer Reviews

Hope Endures

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This is a novel about Thomas Hope (born in 1573, died in 1646). Thomas was the son of an Edinburgh merchant who caught the attention of James VI before finishing his legal education. He was appointed Lord Advocate in 1626 and held this office until 1641. Sir Thomas was trusted by James VI, and when James succeeded Elizabeth I in 1603, he relied heavily on Sir Thomas throughout what was a turbulent period in Scottish history and politics. Sir Thomas also served Charles I (in his role as King of Scotland).

This novel is the last of 90 novels about Scottish history written by Nigel Tranter. Mr Tranter himself died in 2000 at the age of 90. This book was published in 2005.

For many of us, Mr Tranter brought Scottish history to life. His skill was not so much in the development of characters and their relationships as it was in the positioning of historical characters accurately in their times. Those with an interest in the affairs of Scotland during a period of political turmoil and religious unrest, may find this novel interesting. While the focus on the monarchy shifted to the person of the king in England, the affairs of Scotland largely remained separate and Thomas Hope was a major character.

This is by no means the best of Mr Tranter's novels. But, like each of his historical novels, it adds context to fact. For those seeking an introduction to Nigel Tranter, I'd recommend reading some of his earlier novels.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith