Great discussion. Can't believe that academics at Reading University burned this prize-winning book in the library. Burgess praised its "worthy divigations of a more monkish Rabelaisian tradition." Nye's mock memoir of the real-life Fastolf merges him with some glutinous aspects of the fictional Shakespearian Falstaff. Fastolf had more in common with the traditional idea of a knightly warrior and was in command for some part of the 100 years war against France when England was the army of Occupation. Nye has Fastolf -one of many versions of the name - present at Agincourt but he had been invalided out a few weeks before.
Great discussion. Can't believe that academics at Reading University burned this prize-winning book in the library. Burgess praised its "worthy divigations of a more monkish Rabelaisian tradition." Nye's mock memoir of the real-life Fastolf merges him with some glutinous aspects of the fictional Shakespearian Falstaff. Fastolf had more in common with the traditional idea of a knightly warrior and was in command for some part of the 100 years war against France when England was the army of Occupation. Nye has Fastolf -one of many versions of the name - present at Agincourt but he had been invalided out a few weeks before.