Godiva

July 1, 2013
Godiva is amusing, practical, lively, and relatable in this clever retelling of the legendarily naked lady's story, Galland's fifth novel. Filled to the brim with courtly intrigue, dangerous misapprehensions, crossings and double-crossings, and enough high humor to ensure at least some giggling through many portions, the story begins by ably portraying Godiva as fiercely loyal to her beloved husband, Leofric, Earl of Mercia, while also quite capable of using her feminine wiles to ensure his people also remain loyal to him. Galland's reinterpretation of history rests on the harsh, impoverishing tax known as the heregeld, introduced to England in 1040 by its improbably Danish king, Harthacnut. After his death, his half brother, Edward, ascended the throne yet, unfortunately, did not rescind the wildly unpopular heregeld. Lady Godiva's genuine yet often blithe attempts to spare her people a dreadful fate spurred by the heregeld make up the bulk of the story line, while a romantic subplot involving unlikely players adds interest. Entertaining and funny, this easily classifies as a historical-fiction beach read, unlikely as that may sound, although purists may quibble with Galland's historical liberties.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)