Title: Fludd
Author: Hilary Mantel
First published January 1, 1989
186 pages, Paperback
Rating: 3.55
Overview
In the bleak and dreary village of Fetherhoughton, a stranger named Fludd arrives on a stormy night in 1956. Sent by the bishop to assist Father Angwin, Fludd’s true motives remain shrouded in mystery.
But in a town steeped in superstition and ancient feuds, Fludd brings with him a series of miracles that confound the villagers. As Father Angwin struggles with his faith, Fludd becomes a lover, a gravedigger, and a savior, transforming the dull village into a place of unimagined possibility.
Hilary Mantel’s Fludd weaves together the miraculous and the mundane, the dreadful and the ludicrous, in a tale of alchemy and transformation that is as insightful as it is humorous.
About the Author
Hilary Mantel, a prolific novelist, gained popularity for her exceptional literary works, including the critically acclaimed Wolf Hall, which was awarded the Man Booker Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction. The second book of the Wolf Hall Trilogy, Bring Up the Bodies, also won the Man Booker Prize and the Costa Book Award.
Mantel’s other notable works are A Change of Climate, A Place of Greater Safety, Eight Months on Ghazzah Street, An Experiment in Love, The Giant, O’Brien, Fludd, Beyond Black, Every Day Is Mother’s Day, and Vacant Possession. Additionally, she penned a memoir.
Her writing skills have earned her numerous accolades, including the Hawthornden Prize. Mantel’s insightful reviews and essays have been featured in various publications, such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Times Literary Supplement.
Editoral Review
Hilary Mantels Fludd is a captivating novel that takes readers on a journey through rural England in the 1950s. Mantel, a distinguished British author best known for her historical fiction works Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, published Fludd in 1989 as part of her earlier literary output.
Readers who have enjoyed her more recent works may find Fludd to be an interesting precursor to her more well-known works. Set in the post-World War II era, Fludd tells the story of a fictional village in England that is grappling with the cultural and social changes brought about by Vatican II reforms.
The towns inhabitants are resistant to change, and their traditional religious beliefs and practices are being challenged by the arrival of a new priest, Father Angwin. Meanwhile, a mysterious stranger, Fludd, comes to town and begins to challenge the beliefs of the village in another way.
The novel follows the interactions between these two characters and the towns residents as they navigate the struggle for religious and social change. Mantel beautifully captures the essence of rural England in the 1950s, conveying the atmosphere of the small village with intricate detail.
Her writing is both poetic and thought-provoking, drawing readers into the world of the novel and immersing them in the context of the era. The characters in Fludd are complex and multifaceted, and Mantel does an excellent job at developing them over the course of the novel.
Father Angwin is a compelling character, struggling with his beliefs and his desire for change in the church. Fludd, on the other hand, is mysterious and enigmatic, leaving readers guessing about his true intentions until the very end.
In terms of themes, Fludd is a novel that explores the tension between tradition and progress, and the conflict between religion and science. Mantel does an excellent job at weaving these themes into the narrative, showing both sides of the argument and leaving readers to draw their own conclusions.
While Fludd is a beautifully crafted novel, there are some weaknesses that readers may find. The pacing of the novel can be slow at times, and the plot may not be as engaging as some readers might like.
Additionally, the novel can be dense and difficult to follow at times, particularly when Mantel delves into the theological debates that are at the heart of the story. Overall, Fludd is a noteworthy novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy literary fiction and historical fiction.
While it may not be as well-known as Mantels more recent works, Fludd is a novel that deserves to be read and appreciated. It is a poignant reflection on the cultural and social changes of the post-World War II era, and a timeless exploration of the human condition.
Score: 4/5
