Joy D's Reviews > Morality Play

A most unusual mystery set in England during medieval times. In the midst of winter, a runaway monk, Nicholas Barber, comes across a troupe of traveling players, one of whose members has just died. He convinces the group that he will be useful, and travels with them to a nearby town to bury their friend. While there, the troupe performs a well-worn morality play, but finds the reception less than enthusiastic (and not particularly profitable).

A murder has recently taken place – a twelve-year-old boy was found murdered and lying in the road. A girl living nearby has been accused and condemned but not yet hanged. The leader of the troupe convinces the players to act out the circumstances of the murder, which creates interest in the villagers who will pay more to see it. The players gather information from the locals, which they use in their performances. During these performances, they find themselves clarifying the truth of what happened, but at great peril to themselves.

I am so impressed by this story. It combines mystery and historical fiction of the first degree. The writing is superb. I felt fully immersed in medieval times. The characters are wonderfully drawn and easy to picture. I love the theme of art revealing truth and showing how human nature has not changed all that much in hundreds of years. I had not previously read anything by Barry Unsworth but will definitely be seeking out more of his work.