Henry Esmond by William Makepeace Thackeray (1852)

I am beginning my sampling of historical novels with this mid-19th century work by the author of the classic Vanity Fair, even though Thackeray was not the first English-speaking writer to popularize the genre. That distinction would belong to Sir Walter Scott. However, I have read Ivanhoe and Rob Roy and plan never to read another novel by Scott, ever.

Thackeray's story takes place in the early years of the 18th century in an England which is divided along religious and political lines. The Whigs support the ruling Protestant monarch and the Tories plot for the return of the Catholic Stuart heirs, here specifically James III. The plot centers around the titular Henry Esmond, who is both an observer of and a participant in pivotal events and who interacts with the well-known historical figures of the day, as well as with those prominent in literature. Thackeray obviously knew this era well, and he gives specific details and name-drops to the point of tedium, especially in his recounting of military campaigns. Henry Esmond's personal story line is thin and mostly involves his pining for ten years after an unworthy, though beautiful, girl. Then abruptly, in just a few pages at the end, he switches his affection in a most unbelievable manner.

If a potential reader of this novel is expecting the kind of delicious satire and humor that characterizes Vanity Fair, as I was, he will be sorely disappointed. This novel, for the most part, is deadly serious. And it is often deadly dull. In order to understand it, I did learn everything that Wikipedia knows about the War for the Spanish Succession and Jacobite Restoration. So that's good. And in view of the current divides in our country, it is encouraging to know that other countries have experienced the same, or even worse, and have survived and prospered. And it is amusing to read about historic political figures who struggled to hedge their bets so that they would be in positions of power no matter who won.

Yes, as some sage once said, history does tend to repeat itself.