When I opened this book and discovered it to be a novel about the Duke of Clarence and Avondale rather than the biography I had anticipated, I was not happy; and when I found it to be written in the present tense, a fashion I strongly dislike, I felt even worse. But I have a strong interest in the period so resolved to try it anyway; and I was pleasantly surprised, because THIS IS A VERY GOOD BOOK.

It isn't perfect; some of Clark's writing is a bit too florid, with an excess of adjectives. But the main thing is that it enters very convincingly into Prince Eddy's mind; and not only his but also those of members of his family, and his friends. It tells his story from early childhood until his premature death, and really gets across how difficult it was for him to survive in a milieu so different from that which suited him. The theme of sexuality is sensitively and openly handled; and all the characters are treated sympathetically even if their flaws are on display. Achieving a credible new slant on royal characters is not easy, but Clark succeeds. I now intend to read 'Valhalla', Clark's book centred on Mary of Teck, who is an important character at the end of Eddy's life. ( )