We're sunsetting PodQuest on 2025-07-28. Thank you for your support!
Export Podcast Subscriptions
cover of episode 'The Pretender' centers on a real peasant who learns he is heir to England's throne

'The Pretender' centers on a real peasant who learns he is heir to England's throne

2025/6/26
logo of podcast NPR's Book of the Day

NPR's Book of the Day
AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
A
Andrew Limbaugh
J
Jo Harkin
S
Scott Simon
Topics
Scott Simon: 我介绍了《The Pretender》的故事背景和主角。故事发生在1483年，讲述了约翰·科林从一个普通农民到被告知自己是Clarence公爵的儿子，并可能成为国王的命运转变。这个故事充满了阴谋和危险，因为当时的英国王位争夺非常激烈。 Jo Harkin: 这个故事基于真实的历史事件，但历史记录非常有限，特别是关于农民的生活。因此，我在写作时，遵循了Hilary Mantel的原则，即在已知的历史事实基础上，用虚构来填补空白。我试图通过这个故事，探讨身份、命运和个人选择等主题，并赋予历史人物更丰富的人性。

Deep Dive

Chapters
Ten-year-old John Collan, a peasant boy, discovers he's not who he thinks he is. Two nobles reveal his true identity as Edward, Earl of Warwick, the rightful heir to the throne of England, setting off a chain of events with deadly consequences.
  • John Collan's true identity as Edward, Earl of Warwick
  • The political climate of 1483 England
  • The dangers faced by royal heirs

Shownotes Transcript

In 1483, a 10-year-old peasant named John Collan is visited by a stranger who shares a life-changing piece of information. John isn't the son of a farmer, but the Duke of Clarence – and it's time for him to reclaim his destiny as king of England. Jo Harkin's novel The Pretender expands on this footnote of history from the Tudor period. In today's episode, she joins NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation that touches on her approach to historical fiction, which includes filling in gaps left by patchy records from the 15th century.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)