Michael Irwin

Richard Fenwick is a young man without family ties, whose godfather, James Gilbert, has paid for his university education and enabled him to travel the Continent; now he’s returned to London and is at a loss what to do with his life. When Gilbert invites Richard to his country estate in rural Worcestershire, they make a strange contract: Gilbert will continue to pay Richard a generous allowance to lead a comfortable life in London, and Richard will seek out pleasures and excitements and show more write about them (in particular his thoughts and emotions) in his letters to his godfather, thereby enabling him to experience them vicariously. Very soon it becomes clear that Gilbert is not content with simply reading about town gossip and London’s polite society, and so he manipulates Richard into entering darker territory, especially his friendship with the eccentric Thomas Crocker and Richard’s sexual exploits.

I did not really know what to expect from this novel, but the prospect of a historical novel set in the mid-18th century and a reference to a Faustian pact in the official synopsis sounded intriguing. From the first sentence the reader is transported back in time to London in the 1760s, and the author manages effortlessly to convey a sense of time, place and atmosphere. He eloquently conjures up some of the decadence, opulence and social conventions of the time, but also the other side of the coin with its stark poverty and lawlessness. Told in the first person by Richard in the form of a journal, it often features an exchange of letters between him and his godfather and other correspondents, so that we only ever experience the events from his point of view. From the outset I found it difficult to warm to Richard: there is something false about him, a calculating mind, as he tries on different faces with which to greet his godfather, yet he is seen as someone with extraordinary appeal to the opposite sex, but in my opinion lacks the easy and engaging charm of a Tom Jones; as the novel progressed, I found him more and more repulsive. Richard usually sees women as a means to self-gratification or objects of so-called experiments that are shared with or even orchestrated by his godfather. The fact that he feels he is in love with Sarah Ogden, a childhood friend now married and seemingly out of his reach, is ludicrous as I feel he is incapable of feeling love for anyone other than himself, and confuses it with lusting after the unobtainable. Here is an invitation to hedonism and dissoluteness without consequences, where depravity is not only not punished but rewarded. There is a thread running through the novel where the author has set a person’s ‘animal’ instincts, rage and spirits against their intellect and reason; the sexual act is reduced to the copulation between animals in heat, and only the fact that Richard later has to report the particulars to his godfather (and therefore has to remain detached and take mental notes) sets him apart from, say, a bull mounting a cow; some of Richard’s conquests are depicted in raunchy detail and are nothing more than titillating literary porn in my opinion - an after-effect of Fifty Shades of Grey, perhaps?

James Gilbert I found no less despicable: appearing generous and benevolent, he nevertheless acts like a puppeteer and makes those indebted to him dance to his tune, including Richard, in whom he has found a willing participant; the Faust comparison doesn’t really stand up to scrutiny as he is by no means a Mephistopheles, but rather a degenerate and pathetic old man. I resented the fact that the author made me complicit in Gilbert’s voyeurism and Richard’s callousness, and didn't want to spend any more of my precious time in the company of these two depraved individuals. While I can appreciate the fact that this might be the author's intention, I also question how any writer can want their readership to wish for the book to end. As it is, I barely managed to finish it, persevering to the end, curious to find out the significance behind the unusual title. (If anyone can enlighten me as to what or who is meant by the nightingale, I would be much obliged.) Described as a philosophical novel like the genre it is trying to emulate, it nevertheless doesn't invite philosophical or even moral discussion in my opinion, as all the plot elements are played out unambiguously, and I wish I had spent the last week reading a more enjoyable book. Not for me, I'm afraid.

(This book was written as part of Amazon's Vine programme.) show less

A very slow start that picks up toward the middle but never quite makes up for its sluggishness. This is impeccably researched and fans of historical fiction -- especially London in the 18th century -- will appreciate how incredibly accurate and detailed the novel is. It has a very authentic feel. Unfortunately, this is outweighed by cons: no compelling stakes for the narrator, no in-depth analysis of his benefactor's cruelty, no takeaway for the reader.

Recommended only for those who love show more this time period. show less

The Skull and the Nightingale by Michael Irwin captures 18th century England through a dark yet intriguing lens. So like The Crimson Petal and The White this novel holds no bars in portraying graphic stories without possibility of being mistaken for a Dickensian morality tale. As a result, there are few likable characters and little if no room for empathy. Still, there is a rather unique twist surrounding the bargain made between James Gilbert and his godson Richard Fenwick that helps keep show more the pages turning. To fans of historical fiction I say this book, so well written, may lead you down a lascivious path you may not want to wander. For myself, I will look forward to reading another Irwin novel if maybe next time he lighten things up a little. show less

It is lusty, witty and exciting-an urgent period drama with a decidedly modern edge.

The author uses very interesting technique, uses wonderful syntax and is certainly an extraordinary story teller. His usage and conservation of words, while certainly not unique, is nevertheless refreshing. He, the author, obviously spent much time putting this one together. I highly recommend it.

It has been one of the brighter spots in my reading year so far. There will no doubt be more from this author and show more I am looking forward to all of it. Thank you Michael Irwin keep up the good work! show less