Twelfth Night

This story was excellently woven with vivid images springing from the mind at Mr. Llewellyn's words. BUT, it was terribly intense with very little "relief" comic or otherwise leaving the reader emotionally drained when finished. There is also a side story about the supposed hero here that I found went no where and had no real depth. You also did not end up having any real desire to see the heroine run to his arms in the end, because this part of the story seems to be an "aside". You do however desperately want to see the villain die. You don't however understand the character that actually does the deed to be the person who should do it. That character did not seem to have any real passion except for a dead lover. Fond enough...but passionately moved to murder on their behalf??? I did enjoy this book, but I found that it was too much to read at one time and had to break it up into sections to do it. Nutshell--Fascinating, educating, excellently written and truly captures the terror of domestic abuse. Is it a mystery??-no. Is it an arresting tale that will mesmerize you from beginning to end?--Absolutely.-- REED

Anyone who's been to New Orleans, any devotee of historical fiction...anyone who appreciates a good story...will want to add Twelfth Night to their library! It's a keeper! Michael Llewellyn captures the atmosphere of 19th Century New Orleans - the intricately entwined cultures of the Old World French and raw American spirit - without resorting to stereotypes and cliches. Mr. Llewellyn has one his research, yet his fiction is far from scholarly! I was so caught up in the story that I read Twelfth Night cover-to-cover, stopping only for dinner! The author incorporates exotic New Orleans lore - Creole and American society; free people of color in an age of slavery; voodoo - and voodoo queen Marie Laveau; quadroon balls and the first Comus parade - on the eve of Mardi Gras - into a completely engaging story that is rich with lush description and strongly defined characters. I am impressed by the way Mr. Llewellyn was able to incorporate a very contemporary social problem - battered women - into his novel, without forfeiting authenticity. In his book, generations of Creole women - both wives and mistresses - are subjected to the violent passions and harsh whims of husbands or "protectors." Can't wait for the next novel by this contemporary master of historical fiction!

Normally, I race through a book, but as I got into Twelfth Night, I wanted to take my time reading so that I could savor every word. In my mind, I went to the locations and historical time period through the author's descriptions. One theme he added to the historical contest was the discussion of the people of color and how they interacted in public and private. It is a subject that has been glossed over and neglected far too long. I am African-American and my grandma used to tell me stories from her life (born 1860s to approximately 1960 - died at age 95). I'm glad Mr. Llewellyn weaved the story of Marie Laveau into his book. You simply cannot talk abaout New Orleans and leave her and the voodoo (voudon) religion out. It is an important part of the beliefs of many people of color and therefore must be woven into the fabric of life. Another issue brought up was the treatment of women and wives. It was somewhat painful for me to read about the sexual hurting, but it is a story that must be told. For me, I think the author handled the subject appropriately. I gradually began to get the picture. It would have stunned me and maybe turned me off if I got too much information abaout sexual hurting early in the book. I could handle it better after I had a stronger understanding of the characters. Reading about the night life in the French Quarter was fascinating. All of the charaters became real life people for me. Frankly, I don't know when I have read a book I liked so much...and I read a lot! Amanda Rensha