The Book of Days

by Francesca Kay
The Book of Days cover
Good Books rating 4.44
Technical:
  • ID: 236
  • Added: 2025-09-06
  • Updated: 2025-10-11
  • Formats: 72
  • Reviews: 4
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £16.99
Reviews
What Cathy Read Next... · 2025-06-07
evocative 4.25

The novel is commended for its authentic sense of time and place with wonderful descriptions of nature and the changing seasons, which enrich the historical narrative.

The reviewer is impressed by Francesca Kay's skill in conjuring a vivid and immersive Tudor-era setting, where the natural world and its cycles play a significant role in the storytelling. This authentic backdrop lends a lyrical quality to the narrative, enhancing the emotional resonance of the characters' journeys. The detailed portrayal of the changing seasons mirrors the themes of loss and renewal that run throughout the book. The novel also stands out for its thoughtful pacing and the nuanced exploration of personal and communal struggles during a time of religious upheaval. The reviewer finds the book both evocative and beautifully crafted, emphasizing the way Kay intertwines the historical context with intimate human experiences, making it a deeply satisfying read for those who appreciate historical fiction with poetic sensibility.

Quick quotes

    An authentic sense of time and place.

    Wonderful descriptions of nature and the changing seasons.

    A beautifully crafted and evocative historical narrative.

Church Times · Claire Gilbert · 2024-05-17
wise 4.50

The novel is praised for its wise and exquisitely wrought portrayal of life and death, capturing the complex emotions of permanence and change during troubled times.

Claire Gilbert appreciates how the novel thoughtfully explores the themes of mortality and transformation within a historical context. She highlights the book's ability to evoke a deep sense of time and place, offering readers a richly textured experience that goes beyond mere historical fiction. Gilbert values the nuanced character development and the emotional depth that Francesca Kay brings to the story, making it a reflective and compelling read about human resilience and loss. Gilbert also notes the book's contemplative pace and the way it invites readers to engage with the spiritual and social upheavals of the period, particularly the impact of the Reformation on communal and personal life. The novel's atmosphere and detailed descriptions enhance the immersive quality, allowing readers to feel the weight of history as it unfolds through the characters' experiences.

Quick quotes

    A beautifully written novel about life and death, permanence and change.

    This exquisitely wrought novel captures the complex emotions of a troubled era.

    A reflective and compelling read about human resilience and loss.

The Spectator · 2024-02-03
rich 4.50

The novel is described as richly imagined and skillfully crafted, vividly capturing the tensions of the Reformation period and the shifting notions of truth and heresy.

The review highlights Francesca Kay's ability to paint a vivid picture of an Oxfordshire village caught in the throes of religious and social upheaval during the Reformation. The narrative skillfully captures the uncertainty and shifting allegiances of the time, portraying characters deeply embedded in their historical context without anachronistic perspectives. The story reflects on how the concept of truth can change dramatically over short periods, affecting lives profoundly. This depiction is praised for its depth and authenticity, showing how deeply the Reformation altered community bonds and individual beliefs. The Spectator emphasizes the novel's literary quality and historical insight, suggesting it is a significant contribution to historical fiction that resonates with contemporary themes of belief and change.

Quick quotes

    Richly imagined and skillfully crafted.

    Captures the tensions of the Reformation period.

    Explores shifting notions of truth and heresy.

Karen Warren Author · 2023-12-29
beautiful 4.50

The novel is beautifully written, exploring themes of life, death, permanence, and change with emotional depth and lyrical prose.

This review highlights the novel's exquisite writing style and its thoughtful meditation on profound themes such as mortality and transformation. It appreciates the emotional resonance the book achieves through its exploration of the human experience within a historical context. The reviewer found the narrative both moving and reflective, offering a richly immersive reading experience that connects the past to universal human concerns.

Quick quotes

    The Book of Days by Francesca Kay is a beautifully written novel about life and death, permanence and change.

    The lyrical prose captures both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit.

    A deeply thoughtful and moving exploration of historical and timeless themes.

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