Synopsis
A beautiful wife and a jealous nature leads Norman Hunter of Polmood to plot revenge for his betrayal in sixteenth-century England
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Reviews
A romantic scandal that occurred in the Scottish border country when James IV reigned in the 16th century, and for which historical evidence exists, is the fulcrum on which this lavishly constructed and archly worded novel turns. At age 15, Elizabeth, beautiful, naive ward of James and his Queen Margaret, is married off to Polmood, much older, rather gross, but the king's number-one man in the hunt. Persuaded to delay consummation until Elizabeth matures, Polmood feeds his jealousy by rough treatment of his young wife and her putative suitors. Although Steele conveys the intrigue and playfulness of James's court, and the brutality of 16th century class society, it is priapic excitement that is the central activity of this empurpled tale.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
A crude but honest landowner in the Scotland of 1500 falls deeply in love with the king's 15-year-old ward. The marriage is allowed only under the condition that he not consummate it for a year. The virtuous and naive Elizabeth is also the object of other suitors, and, in time, landowner Polmood builds up a fierce case of jealously and finally takes gruesome revenge on all involved. Based on a true incident, this could have been an interesting novel. The author tricks up the narrative with plush descriptions and cartoon-like Elizabethan dialogue that is cute only at the beginning, and quickly becomes tiresome. When the author asks the reader at midpoint, "Still with us?" only a reviewer could answer "yes." Not recommended. W. Keith McCoy, Dowdell Lib., South Amboy,
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for Chasing the Gilded Shadow: A Tale of the Time of James...
Stock Image
Chasing The Gilded Shadow: A Tale Of The Time Of James Iv Of Scotland
Published by
St. Martin's Press, New York, New York, U.S.A., 1986
ISBN 10: 0312131445
ISBN 13: 9780312131449
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Granada Bookstore, IOBA, Woodlawn, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. Stated First U.S. Edition (First Thus) With The Number Line Indicating A First Printing. The Book Is Bound In Red Wight Gilt Lettering On The Spine. Minor Wear Only. Seller Inventory # 017103
Seller Image
CHASING THE GILDED SHADOW: A TALE OF THE TIME OF JAMES IV OF SCOTLAND
Published by
St. Martin's Press, New York, 1986
ISBN 10: 0312131445
ISBN 13: 9780312131449
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Currey, L.W. Inc. ABAA/ILAB, Elizabethtown, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Octavo, boards. First U.S. edition. A historical novel set in early sixteenth-century Scotland, inspired by and substantially indebted to James Hogg's "The Bridal of Polmood." Lower spine end a bit soft, a nearly fine copy in fine dust jacket. (#160858). Seller Inventory # 160858
Seller Image
CHASING THE GILDED SHADOW A Tale of the Time of James IV of Scotland
Published by
St. Martin's Press, New York, 1986
ISBN 10: 0312131445
ISBN 13: 9780312131449
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Rare Book Cellar, Pomona, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. First Edition; First Printing. Very Good in a Very Good dust jacket. Stated First U. S. Edition.; 8.35 X 5.67 X 1.57 inches; 378 pages. Seller Inventory # 67854