The Boy by Nicole Galland is my 1st book by the author. This historical novel is set in set in the theatre world during Elizabethan times in London. Alexander "Sander" Cooke is the toast of the Chamberlains Men, Shakespeare’s theatre company. He is aging out of being able to play the women's roles and seeks a patron to help sponsor him.
His best friend, Joan Buckler, is a young woman seeking intellectual development, she has been trained in botany but is limited by her gender. They meet Francis Bacon, an intellectual philosopher and advisor to the queen. The rich details, and historical context is well researched and draws you into the era of political intrigue, social class and gender expectations. There is suspense, romance, philosophical debates that are interesting to read what they thought in that era, and some botany. There is some sexual content, not too graphic, and some mild violence, also not graphic and appropriate for the setting. The language is beautifully Shakespearean, the pacing a bit uneven that may lag for some. The ending is satisfying and I would recommend it for anyone interested in a well researched and rich in detail historical novel set in this era.
A big thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

Sander Cooke is an apprentice in the Chamberlain's Men, the most celebrated "boy" player of his time, and Joan Buckler is his best friend, a unique woman for her time, determined to know and understand more about the world around her despite the restrictions placed upon her by her gender. As the book opens, Sander is soon to end his apprenticeship with the players and concerned for his own future, because he cannot fathom playing men's roles, and so begins to seek a wealthy patron who can take him on and ensure his place in society for the future. He meets Sir Francis Bacon, and together with Joan, he takes them under his wing to further Joan's education. As they work with Bacon, Sander becomes embroiled in courtly drama in intrigue in his pursuit of a patron, unfortunately setting his sights on the disgraced Earl of Essex.
This book was quite enjoyable to read for its new take and spin on gender roles in Elizabethan times, as Joan challenged societal expectations, as did Sander in his own struggle with gender identity and seeing himself a masculine man after so many years of being effeminate for the stage. The main plot does meander a bit before it comes to the climax near the final 1/3rd of the book, and I found the conclusion a bit unbelievable as well for the time period. That said, overall, this book was very enjoyable. Both Sander and Joan are narrators, with easily identifiable individual voices, and the writing itself was lovely.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

The Boy reimagines the story of Alexander Cooke who played the female roles of Shakespeare’s plays.

Alexander “Sander” Cooke is the most celebrated boy player in the Chamberlain’s Men, William Shakespeare’s theatre company. His portrayal of female roles made him the toast of London. But now at the cusp of adulthood his future is uncertain.

Sander’s theatrical triumphs catch the first attention of Francis Bacon – philosopher and one of the greatest minds of their time. But what catches his next attention is Sander’s original question, only to discover quickly the truth that Sander is not his would-be acolyte. It’s someone else.

Joan Buckler is Sander’s best friend. While Sander wishes for more than friendship, she craves knowledge. Something that is unattainable for a woman of her time. From childhood, she had interest in botany and using plants for medicinal purposes. She became an experimental botanist under a guide of two experts, who already recognized her early on as a precarious toddler. That’s why they supported her curiosity throughout her childhood, and have been her mentors of natural philosophy and botany.

Joan, as a woman, is not part of the philosophical conversations which she desires. She is fascinated by emerging philosophical thoughts but in order to get closer to those discussions, she needs to disguise herself.

The men talk about inductive logic, knowledge without the bias of old beliefs. Those conversations are fascinating but I can also see that not everyone might be engrossed by it. And at some points, it results in uneven pacing.

As both, Sander and Joan, triumph they draw attention of some influential figures, which also leads to their tragedies as they become snarled into political intrigues of the court.

The Boy is written with eloquence and is immersed with philosophical discussions and intrigues of the court, effortlessly drawing the reader into the story.

A good enough story but felt like it had to be more fleshed out in terms of the world and characters. 3 stars.

It’s OK. I’m not sure why the publisher would set up the author by comparing her to Hillary Mantel. I get what they were going for, but the ahistoricism was distracting.

I loved this historical romance set in the time of William Shakespeare. Nicole Galland has clearly done a lot of work in order to bring this setting to life so vividly. The inclusion of real people also had me interested in learning more about the historical figures of that era. Great for fans of Shakespeare in Love.

Really didn’t think a book about gender swapping in Elizabethan England could be so boring, yet here we are. I had high hopes for this one but the writing was too slow and tedious, and the characters lackluster. I did like the attention to detail, and I’m sure many people will love this, but ultimately it wasn’t for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for this ARC e-copy of Boy by Nicole Galland.

Set in Elizabethan England, “Boy” by Nicole Galland explores the varied roles of gender in the aforementioned time period, utilizing a cast of both real and fictional characters. Sander Cooke, the most famous “boy player” at the Globe, is nearing the end of his apprenticeship, and therefore, the end of everything he has ever known. Meanwhile, Joan Buckler, his dearest friend, struggles with her inability to join in on her desired intellectual and philosophical pursuits as a woman. But neither of them go unnoticed, and as Sander and Joan increasingly draw the interest of influential figures, they become tangled up in the dangerous political intrigues of the court.

Readers should know that this book is sometimes heavy on philosophy—to be expected of a novel that prominently features Francis Bacon—and includes many in-depth discussions within the text regarding the subject. If you are an enjoyer of philosophy, then this book may please you for that reason; if philosophy was a subject that you did not enjoy in school, as is the case for me, then some portions of this book may feel like a bit of a slog through the mud.

The best part of this novel is the palpable connection between the two main characters. Their long-standing, nuanced friendship is evident on the page in all of their little interactions. The triumphs and tragedies of their relationship I was eager to follow until the end.

I will admit that I enjoyed the second half of this book much more than the first half, and as a Shakespeare enjoyer, I of course loved every play scene at the Globe. This was a well-written and lovingly researched romp through a few months in the life of a niche historical figure.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ - GREAT

This revolves around the lives of two people, Alexander, who goes by ‘Sander’ is the most acknowledged and beloved actor in the Chamberlain’s Men, Shakespear’s theatre company. He is loved by both men and women, but he wishes - a bit like Peter Pan - to never grow up.

Sander’s best friend is Joan, a young woman who seems determined to be seen as more than just a woman, she is a woman who is interested in philosophy in an age when women were not encouraged to expand their knowledge. She has always been curious, and so she dresses in disguise as a man in order to find a way to learn even more and to be accepted into their world.

This was a somewhat tedious read at times, but I’m glad that I finished reading it since it really did come together perfectly at the end.


Pub Date: 25 Feb 2025


Many thanks for the ARC provided by William Morrow

Joan Buckler, the daughter of merchants, is mostly left to her own devices–fine by her since it gives her the liberty to pursue her own vast interests. Her best childhood friend, Sander Cooke, famous for acting out the girls’ parts as one of the Chamberlain’s Men, has finally discovered that Joan is not only smart, she’s attractive–not in the way his other paramours attract, but by the fact that she’s Joan. In his quest to assist her in academic pursuits, most notably an introduction to the famous natural philosopher Sir Francis Bacon, Sander finds himself distancing himself from his former, seedier pursuits. The plot thickens as Joan, disguised as Jack, grows intellectually, and as Sander, fearing loss of celebrity as he ages, looks for a new patron in order to be able to support a wife and family. Who is the most illustrious, wealthiest possibility? Lord Essex, of course. But neither Bacon nor Joan think this is a good idea, and when Essex, who is out of favor with the queen, is arrested for treason, Sander is found complicit and sent to the tower to await a trial. How ends fortune’s fool? You better read Boy to find out.

I’m a fan of historical fiction set in the Elizabethan Era. One of my first biographical history reports in elementary school was about Mary, Queen of Scots. I jumped at the chance to read Boy, and wasn’t disappointed. Where Shakespeare in Love shows us an aristocratic female who disguises herself as a boy to be an actor, living out a romantic fantasy, our Joan Buckler is an enlightened, intelligent commoner disguising herself as a boy to escape the drudgery of her class, the certitude of becoming a young wife and possession of a husband, to grow her mind, leaping across the divide of gender and social sphere. I found myself losing patience with Sander, who has always known the privilege that comes with his looks and sex, and has used both freely to open up all kinds of doors. But his is a tragic character, hoist with his own petard, and the reader breathes a sigh of relief when he, at his lowest, recognizes the truth.

Many thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for access to the ARC. Opinions stated herein are my own. I am not compensated for my review.

I really wanted to love this book because the premise was so exciting and interesting. But the pacing was just off for me and I couldn't really get into the story or care for the characters. The writing was really good and that was the only thing that stopped me from dnf'ing.

"Boy" by Nicole Galland is a captivating novel that intertwines historical events with a fascinating fictional tale. “Boy” is about the real-life actor Alexander Cooke, who played the leading female roles in many of Shakespear’s most well-known plays in the early 1600’s and Alexander’s fictional bff, Joan, who disguises herself as a boy. Alexander (Sander) helps her do this so she can engage in intellectual pursuits that are not afforded to girls and women of those times.

While Galland creates a very compelling narrative that keeps the reader engaged, I struggled to maintain interest in the very beginning. That changed as the story progressed, and I truly enjoyed this book!

The author's meticulous research is evident in the rich portrayal of the characters and the vivid settings, which transport the reader to the medieval period. As a fan of Shakespeare, it was fun to see him as a supporting character in the book, as well as a friend and admirer of Sander.

Both protagonists, Alexander and Joan, are complex characters whose journey is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. Galland's writing style is eloquent and immersive, effortlessly drawing the reader into the world of the story and the life-or-death drama unfolding around them. The plot is carefully crafted, full of unexpected twists and turns that add depth to the narrative. The seamless blending of historical detail and fictional elements makes for a truly enriching reading experience.

The historically accurate supporting characters, such as William Shakespeare, John Heminges, and Richard Burbage, are equally well-developed, each adding a layer of nuance to the story. The interpersonal relationships and dynamics of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men acting companies are portrayed with authenticity, making the characters feel genuine and multi-dimensional. It also provides justification for many of Alexander’s poor fictional life decisions, including landing himself in the middle of a massive political coup against Queen Elizabeth.

While the novel's pacing is generally well-executed, there are moments when the narrative lingers longer than necessary, which may test the patience of some readers in the very beginning.

Overall, "Boy" is a captivating and rewarding read that offers a unique blend of history and fiction. Galland's masterful storytelling and attention to detail make this novel a must-read for fans of historical fiction.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #NicoleGalland, and #HarperCollins for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. #boy

Sander and Joan, whose relationship is instantly endearing, are coming of in an Elizabethan London of theater and philosophy. Sander's struggle to settle into manhood and its limitations, is paralleled expertly by Joan's struggle to accept her womanhood and its limitations, and both of them explore who they are beyond who they appear to be as they try to carve out a future for themselves and each other.

Any lover of Shakespeare will immediately feel at home in this setting, though he is not a featured character, the story of love and ambition, and how they collide, is timeless. Galland has written two main characters who are very different from each other but whose love feels so easy and genuine, and wants feel so grounded and justified. The plot is intriguing and exciting.

I would highly recommend this to fans of "A Tip for the Hangman" or any of those familiar with the world of Elizabethan Theater and political intrigue.

DNF at 31%

I absolutely love the Tudor/Elizabethan time period and I especially love picking up books on the period during the summer when I am in rehearsals for the Renaissance Festival that I perform in. Boy, with its focus on the world of Shakespeare, instantly drew my eye and I settled in on a Friday night to savor the book over the course of a suitably rainy weekend.

The book starts off well enough and does a wonderful job of establishing the world and our main duo; however, as the story continued, I found that it was not quite reaching the scope that I had been expecting based on the blurb. I thought that we were going to get a story in which the lives of two lowly people get tied up in the vast tapestry of politics and the arts; we might have gotten there eventually, but I found myself so bored at 31% that I wasn't even interested in getting to that part of the book. Alas, I had to DNF.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!