The Wicked and the Just

I finished The Wicked and the Just. The fact that I finished it while waiting for a throat culture and a migraine shot thankfully did not diminish my enjoyment. And, I believe that my willingness to read this remarkable book while in eye-twitching pain should serve as testament to the quality of the writing and the story. Folks, I've gotta really love what I'm reading to read it through a migraine.

J. Anderson Coats is the author of The Wicked and the Just, and she did her homework. This well-researched work of historical fiction takes place in Wales during the thirteenth century. It's about two young women, one Welsh and one British, who live two very different lives in a Caernarvon, a settlement in Wales ruled by the King of England.

The story is told in alternating points of view - Cecily, a spoiled English brat, and Gwinny, a poor Welsh servant. You don't have to delve far into the book to realize that there is more to the headstrong protagonists than the roles they play. Cecily can be just and Gwinny can be wicked.

When Welsh rebels attack the British townspeople of Caernarvon in a violent uprising, Cecily is forced to serve her servant, and Gwinny becomes the master. How they adjust to these new roles is what made me fall in love with these strong and multidimensional heroines. The plot is fascinating from a historical standpoint, but it is the character development that drives this story.

I recommend The Wicked and the Just to history buffs and lovers of great characters.

Blog you later!

Ali B.