Very interesting novel that I was thoroughly invested in. I think this is a good introduction to the time period and I really loved Harkin's writing style. Will definitely recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the ARC!

Jo Harkin’s "The Pretender" is a fascinating piece of historical fiction that can’t quite manage its narrative ambitions or tonal swings.

Inspired by the kind of rich, under-explored historical footnote that is perfect for the genre, "The Pretender," set in the late 1400s, follows a peasant boy named John Collan who suddenly learns that he is royalty and in line for the crown. Or is he? Throughout his life, he is given different names, held up as an icon, and pulled in countless directions as he double-crosses his way through different factions in order to stay alive.

Thematically, Harkin gets at something interesting here—what does it even mean to be a self when one’s self is constantly redefined for others’ purposes? Who is Simnel outside of a weapon? In a political climate where vulnerable people are constantly used as tokens, it’s resonant to see an author attempt to examine the impact that has on an individual, even if Harkin never quite pulls it off.

A solid chunk of the book is defined by anachronistic bawdiness reminiscent of media like Hulu’s "The Great." It might seem odd to mention a TV show here, but Harkin’s writing has a similarly glossy sheen, often seemingly desperate to prove that history can be interesting and worth reading because people were a little naughty back then. If you’ve ever seen a Shakespeare play that tries to make the material accessible by stressing how horny and funny it is, you’ll understand the reductionism at play here. Additionally, many of these scenes linger a little too long on young teenagers, and they feel fetishizing rather than like a natural exploration of clumsy, burgeoning sexuality.

The ultimate problem, however, is that "The Pretender" isn’t nearly as clever as it thinks it is. Aside from the aforementioned issues, Harkin peppers her writing with so much archaic language that it feels confused rather than authentic—like when someone has learned a new word and wants to fit it into every conversation. Similarly, there are some truly insufferable suggestions of winking self-awareness that mask a goofy self-importance. For example, Simnel reflects on what people will say about him in 1,000 years, and a character encourages him to “write his story.” Maybe it wouldn't feel trite in a better book, but it's embarrassing to read here.

Narratively, the book just can’t sustain its nearly 500-page runtime. After countless, leering sex scenes and penis jokes, it’s more than a little difficult to stick with Harkin when she tries to depict Simnel’s journey from farm boy innocence to bloodthirsty corruption. It reads less like escalating stakes and more like a desperate bid for readers to take the book seriously about halfway through. It’s the kind of change that might work in a series of books, but its execution feels incoherent here.

By trying to be so many things, the book ends up being, well, not much of anything.

Perhaps it's fitting that "The Pretender" struggles to find an identity, but I’m not sure it’s a struggle that's worth participating in.

Who was Lambert Simnel? In Jo Harkin‘s new novel, you will witness a humble 15th century peasant boy transform when his supposed nobility is revealed. He will be given various identities over the years, not through his own choice, and his innocence will be shed just as blood is.

Harkin richly imagined a fictional history for the pretender - one that is humorously entertaining, absorbing, and tragic. Despite its long length, this novel never failed to keep me enthralled.

I am immensely grateful to Knopf and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.

I love historical fiction, and especially stories about Great Britain. The whole royal saga from the time when the Tudors came to the throne has so much drama. It also has had a lot written about that time, as well as movies. This book was a delight!! I recommend it to anyone who can read! I didn't think there could be another view of this time, but this author has found it. It's a story of a young man at the time when Henry VII was King, and there was such political intrigue. It is told in the voice of a young man who is the Pretender. You follow him from age 10 to about 20. He is a pawn among the nobles who want to control the English throne. It's bawdy in language and atmosphere! Such a delight! He has a young woman who has such a crush on and she is very politically savvy. So, she tells him what to do and he follows whatever she says. If you like historical fiction, put this one on your list!

I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to read this book as an Advanced Reader Copy on NetGalley. From the very first page, I was transported into a meticulously crafted historical world that truly captivated me. The author's attention to detail in depicting the setting not only drew me into the narrative but also enriched my understanding of the time period in which the story unfolds.

The imagery throughout the novel was exceptionally vivid, allowing me to visualize every scene as if I were experiencing it firsthand. Whether it was the bustling marketplaces, the quiet villages, or the grandeur of historical events, each setting was brought to life with such clarity. Even as the story shifted through various scenic changes and navigated different passages in time, I found that the transitions were seamless and engaging.

As I read, I often found myself laughing out loud, completely immersed in the characters' witty exchanges and humorous situations. I couldn't help but highlight countless passages that resonated with me, each one adding to my enjoyment of the story. The characters were exceptionally well-developed, each with their own complexities and depth. Their relationships, filled with intrigue and emotional nuance, added layers to the narrative that kept me invested in their journeys.

This novel is a delightful blend of humor and historical fiction, making it a compelling read. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking a lively and engaging historical fiction filled with unexpected twists and plenty of laughter. The experience of reading this book was truly a joy, and I am thankful to have had the chance to explore its pages.

Wow. This book was a 4.75/5 for me. I just loved it. It was so funny, and clever! I loved the development of the main character through all of his "personas", and it was fascinating to see the world develop through his eyes - first as a child and then as he became more cynical. My favorite character by far was Beatrice, although Jennot was a close second (I wish she had made a reappearance!). I also had an in-awe love of Joan, although I would have (and sort of did) hate her, too. I had a very conflicted perception of her. :) And Kildare! Loved the extreme Irish-ness of him. He was unapologetic in who he was. Oh and I loved the always wholesome relationship between John/Edward/Simnel/etc. and Philip.

So that's my take on the characters, I suppose. I think I could probably speak simply on the whole cast of people who came in and out of the MC's life and that would constitute a thesis in and of itself! The movement of the story was also so compelling; I loved the change from the bucolic farm life to the dirty (and corrupt!) city, and from there to the various courts where the MC played his many roles. It felt like reading a play, and also VERY much reminded me of Hamnet (but stands quite solidly on its own! - I just think if you enjoyed the one you'd like the other). I would definitely read more from this author.

Fun book if you are at all interested in English History. It is the story of the rise of the House of Tudor and the pretender kings Edward IV. I said pretender kings because there seemed to be more than one person who claimed to be Edward VI and attempt to restore the Yorkist line. The story follows Lambert Simnel a young boy who may or may not have been related to the Yorkist family. He starts out on a farm in Oxfordshire, and we follow his growing up, from being taken to Oxford to become educated and taught gentile manners, to his escape to the home of Margaret of Burgundy, coronation in Ireland and eventually to London itself.

It is a great story, especially if you don't mind seeing early English life in all its bawdy manner. They language and the images that Harkin creates are wonderful Many times I felt as if I was right there with young Simnel as he tried to navigate life from being a peasant farm boy to become a Royal; abet if only for a moment in time.

What fascinated me the most was how Henry VII respond to the uprisings that were made by the Yorkist, and how he ended up treating Lambert Simnel. In the little research that I did, it appears that this section of the book is where Harkin takes the most liberties on Simnel's story, but I loved the hypothesis.

Fun book, I highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for an ARC of the book.

A richly woven historical novel that brings the intrigue of the Tudor era to life. The historical backdrop is meticulously researched, and the writing is evocative. A rewarding read.
Many thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this book. I had had no idea about the real Lambert Simnel, and although I had a good idea of what didn't happen to him, this story of the events leading up to his attempt for the throne and the aftermath was a suspenseful, engaging read. Jo Harkin's writing style perfectly balances the inherent sadness of the events around Simnel with hilarity. A lot of information is conveyed effectively and memorably through the way tones and styles of narration shift during chapters. Simnel is a compelling, unforgettable protagonist. His story delves into questions of identity, revenge, and personal power. Side characters also have interesting arcs. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the events prior to the Tudor Ascension, and anyone who wants a rich imagining based on true events.

The language, story, and time period are compelling , but the pace and character development didn’t hold my interest. It felt like a slog that should have been fun.

"He admires the way the bright-yellow leaves twitch and flutter, against a sky the bold blue of Joan's eyes.
What?
-- No.
The sky and Joan's eyes have nothing to do with each other.
Please, God, pluck such thoughts out of my head, thank you, amen."

THIS BOOK IS A RIOT. I've never experienced anything like it.

Set in 14th-century England, it tells the story of 8-year-old John Collan, who was raised on a farm. One day, two upper-class men come to take John from his family. John is now being told that he is Edward, the rightful heir to the throne and has been intentionally protected on the farm with his fake family. The boy now at court - well, actually being held captive in the tower of London - is his pretender. Apparently, they look identical. In hiding with these men, who become his tutors, he must now be educated in the mannerisms and knowledge of the court before fighting in a battle to overthrow King Henry VII. Meanwhile, his name is changed to Simnel for his safety and an army is being gathered on his behalf, including Ireland and Scotland. John has NO idea what is happening from moment to moment and just as he thinks he just might be royalty, doubts begin creeping in again. Is the boy in the tower the rightful heir to become King Edward? Is John, Edward, Simnel the actual pretender?

This book is hilarious! It's bawdy, bold, and told from the point of view of this boy. It's written like none other! The style utilizes the funniest language from the medieval period and preoccupies the reader with a puzzle of identifying which boy is the rightful heir to the throne. The wit and dry humor are hysterical.

Thank you NetGalley, Jo Harkin, and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

A deeply affecting bildungsroman, based around a boy whose life is not his own. A historical footnote brought to life, used as a pawn by forces both malignant and indifferent to spearhead a Yorkist rebellion against Henry VII. We trace the life of young Lambert Simnel from his time of his childhood in Oxford on a small farm to his embrace into higher society as the pretend son of the former Duke of Clarence. As Simnel is moved from place to place, we see his struggles with identity, both as a potential royal and as a son. Harkin does a remarkable job painting a picture of Simnel, his confusion and humanity shining through, not as a power-hungry usurper, but as a child who grows into man with a dearth of control. As Simnel ages and is accepted into the Henry VIIth household as a scullion and then a falconer, we see the ways his past has shaped him ino a cynical, yet generous man until his eventual disappearance from history.

The Pretender is a richly woven novel set in the 15th century, telling the story of what was believed to be a false claim to the English crown by Lambert Simnel. As well as being a clever narrative on the unreliability of history and its well-known favor for the victors, the book does a beautiful job of detailing the brutality of the time and the constant tension over power.

The author clearly did a tremendous amount of research into the lives of real historical figures, and it shows. That said, you’ll want to set aside some time to get to know all the players. I highly recommend taking a photo or two of the family trees at the beginning — they’ll come in handy.

I enjoyed the tone of this book, and found the subject matter interesting. However, I ultimately found it too slow-paced and I didn't finish it. It's very long and I thought it grew tedious as it went. Thank you for the opportunity to read it and review it.

The Wars of the Roses are ending, and with it comes uncertainty about who will lead the country. On one side is King Richard III, who many believe killed his nephews to become King of England; on the other is Breton Henry, Henry Tudor, who believes he is the rightful king due to his bloodline. However, there is a third player in this entire debacle. A young farm boy named John Collan may spend his days daydreaming and studying to his heart’s content, but he is destined for more. A path that will lead him to hobnob with nobility and become the enemy of a king who just sat on his throne. Just who is John Collan, and how did this boy go from the farm to a life of infamy? Jo Harkin tells the story of how John Collan became Lambert Simnel in her novel, “The Pretender.”

I would like to thank Knopf and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. As someone who reads a lot about the Wars of the Roses, I tend to gravitate towards the main players and the nobility. However, there was something about a novel all about one of the pretenders, Lambert Simnel, that piqued my curiosity. Plus, the fact that this was the author’s first foray into historical fiction was a nice touch. I wanted to see how well Harkin would do with an obscure figure and her first historical fiction novel.

We begin with John Collan, a son of a farmer who dreams of being a scholar and running away from a rather vicious goat. John’s father, Will Collan, is a pretty wealthy man, but he is also connected to a man named Maister Richard Simons, who agrees to tutor John at Oxford. Such a remarkable turn of luck for a farm boy, but why choose him over others? Maister Simons explains that Will Collan is not John’s father. His name is not even John. He is to be known as Lambert Simnel, and his true father is none other than George, Duke of Clarence, which makes him Edward, Earl of Warwick. It's a lot to take in, but then John/Lambert is taken to both Burgundy and Ireland so that he can gain powerful allies such as Margaret, Dowager Duchess of Burgundy, John de la Pole, 1st Earl of Lincoln, and the Earl of Kildare.

John/Lambert continues to study, falls in love with a girl named Joan, is crowned king, and even goes to war against the Tudor king. But the boy will soon learn the bitter taste of betrayal and the heartache of losing those he loves the most to try and wrest the crown from Henry VII. While the dialogue was at times borderline vulgar, I did enjoy most of the story until the aftermath of the Battle of Stoke Field. It was when John/Lambert was held captive that it fell flat, and it was a bit difficult to follow along for me. I also wish Harkin had included some sort of author’s note or explanation of her research to help those who are new to Lambert Simnel’s story understand why she wrote the novel in the way she did.

Overall, I think this was a decent novel. It is ambitious to tackle an obscure figure like a pretender as a protagonist of a historical novel, but I think Harkin does a good job. It makes you wonder what must have been going on when this young man decided that he was going to take on a crowned king. Such a small footnote in history makes one compelling tale. If you want a novel about someone who does not get enough attention, I recommend you read “The Pretender” by Jo Harkin.

The Pretender captivated me right away - I knew going in that it was about one of the many attempts at overthrowing the king by claiming a royal heir had been found. We meet John who is just a boy living on a farm and the simple life he has there - the people who matter to him are constantly present in his mind as he grows. Then the identity crises begin - he is supposedly the son of the late and traitorous Duke of Clarence and is actually named Edward. The story does a great job at showing how these changes impact the boy - he was never certain who to trust. John/Lampert/Edward travels to Oxford to study, to Burgundy to meet family and begin to learn to rule, and then to Ireland where the rebellion begins to amass. While in Ireland he meets Joan, the witty and strong-willed daughter of the Earl he lives with - their story was quite fun and a nice change of pace and offered our lead a refuge.

The Pretender is an excellent historical fiction for those interested in the War of the Roses and the Tudor dynasty.

Right off the bat, my favorite character was Joan. I wish the book had been about her life. Or at least write another book just about Joan. Reminiscent of Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet. This is a story about "the Pretender," a man who tried to overthrow King Henry VII and ended up spying for him instead. This felt like an epic and was a little disappointed by the ending. I thought since we saw the beginning of the "the pretender's" life as a peasant, we would see the end of his life as well. And in some ways we did as he wrapped up his revenge plans and started a brand new life. But I'm interested in the entirety of his life. This is a long book but it could have been longer.

I went into this expecting something like "The Glutton" by A.K Blakemore. If that fits your vibe, you might like this. It was just a little too history heavy for me. Perhaps just too dense. Honestly I didn't get far enough in to give more detail than that.

THE PRETENDER is a tale of a boy hidden at a country farm and at 8 years of age, suddenly learns he is someone else entirely. That someone else might be in line for the throne of England, if only a few warring competitors would disappear. Or not. In addition to not quite knowing who he is, he rather doubts he should be king. He’d rather be playing outside with friends. Author Jo Harkin does an excellent job of writing from our hero’s point of view. As the character ages, so too do his internal thoughts. The book is long and the hero’s journey is beset with new demands and expectations. I found the middle of the book lost my attention. Overall, though, this is a fun book with great writing. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Peasant, rebel, earl, king, spymaster - the main character wears many faces as he moves through his different identities in this compelling work of historical fiction that I just could not put down.

Innocent, naive farmboy John, who loves to read and whose most confounding problem is a fear of an aggressive goat, has his life changed in an instant when a noble comes for him, offering to tutor him in Oxford to become a scholar. But was he an earl in hiding, his peasant father paid off to shelter for him and a Yorkish prince, or did his father sell him to the noble to just play the part?

Thus follows a wild journey through fortunes at a time when social roles adhered to a rigid hierarchy. This is the time of paranoid King Henry VII, when the Tudors held a tenuous but disputed hold on power and Yorkish sympathizers plotted rebellion. I enjoyed the colorful details of life for every day commoners and servants - usually we only get to hear the perspectives of royalty in narratives like this.

I also enjoyed John/Edward/Simnel's unique perspective as he moves from peasantry to nobility and the hope of England, as he struggles to figure out where he came from and what was a lie, his fight for survival and his turn from a tenderhearted romantic to a man set on bloodthirsty revenge. I loved his star-crossed love story with an Irish noble girl, Joan, and how their romance was filled with yearning and tension as he swears to bring her the heads of their enemies.

The prose was not in modern language which could get awkward to read, but it also lent the story an air of authenticity. I also appreciated the irreverent, sarcastic tone that seemed at odds at times with the heavy content.

I also appreciated how I was expecting John to either become king or die on a battlefield, but all is not lost even as all is lost to him.

This is the kind of story that brings history to life and what happens to the pawns in political games after the game is finished.

Highly recommend. I was riveted to this gripping historical epic about a gruesome, primal time in history that I don't read enough about. We hear a lot about the romanticized English court but not about the barbarism that it took to secure power, and the bodies left behind in history's wake. I was impressed by the amount of research that went into this that made me feel like I had a front row seat to history.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.