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The Folly of the World

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Set in 15th century Holland, "The Folly of the World" by Jesse Bullington follows the journey of a disenfranchised son, Jan, who is separated from his fortune due to class customs and a great flood. Teaming up with a psychotic henchman, Sander, and a poor sea diver, Jan embarks on a quest to reclaim his wealth amidst civil strife. The novel blends historical knowledge with elements of violence, graphic sex, the supernatural, and dark humor, creating a compelling narrative that delves into Dutch politics of the time.

The story unfolds in a late Middle Ages Renaissance setting with magical elements, where a fiesty teenage shellfish gatherer, a psychotic henchman, and his ruthless gay lover navigate a freshly flooded Holland. As the trio navigates through financial and political intrigue, the narrative explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the pursuit of fortune in a world rife with violence and deception.

Characters:

The characters exhibit depth and complexity, embodying a spectrum of morality and evoking strong reader responses, from admiration to aversion.

Writing/Prose:

The author's style combines bluntness with a careful selection of details that enhance the story while maintaining an engaging tone.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative is set against the backdrop of war and disaster, centering on a trio of eccentric characters involved in a chaotic journey filled with ambition and betrayal.

Setting:

The setting is a vividly portrayed 15th century Netherlands, marked by conflict and disaster, creating a compelling backdrop for the story.

Pacing:

Pacing varies throughout the book, with an engaging start that loses momentum before building towards a surprising conclusion.
A hush fell over the dingy, cramped tavern. Such an occurrence was not particularly rare, requiring little more than a dirty joke, even a bewhiskered one, but quiet the place did, and the handsome str...

Notes:

The Folly of the World is set in 15th century Holland during a civil war and a catastrophic flood.
The story features three main characters: a ruthless conman, a deranged killer, and a talented young girl.
Characters in the book are complex, making some unlikable ones surprisingly favorite figures.
Jesse Bullington is known for subverting typical story expectations and crafting unique narrative experiences.
The author blends historical facts with fantasy elements, creating a compelling and unusual world.
The novel includes graphic content, including violence and sexuality, which may not be suitable for all readers.
Bullington's writing style is described as blunt and efficient, focusing on key details that enhance scenes without over-explaining.
The story involves financial and political intrigue alongside personal relationships and moral ambiguities.
The setting feels both historically grounded and fantastical, involving dark magic and twisted narratives.
There are references to real historical events, such as the Saint Elizabeth Flood of 1421, which devastated the Netherlands.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include graphic violence, explicit sexual scenes, and themes of moral ambiguity.

From The Publisher:

On a stormy night in 1421, the North Sea delivers a devastating blow to Holland: the Saint Elizabeth Flood, a deluge of biblical proportions that drowns hundreds of towns, thousands of people, and forever alters the geography of the Low Countries. Where the factions of the noble Hooks and the merchant Cods waged a literal class war but weeks before, there is now only a nigh-endless expanse of grey water, a desolate inland sea with moldering church spires jutting up like sunken tombstones. For a land already beleaguered by generations of civil war, a worse disaster could scarce be imagined.

Yet even disaster can be profitable, for the right sort of individual, and into this flooded realm sail three conspirators: a deranged thug at the edge of madness, a ruthless conman on the cusp of fortune, and a half-feral girl balanced between them.

With The Folly of the World, Jesse Bullington has woven an extraordinary new tale of the depraved and the desperate.

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Want To Read (2)

About the Author:

Jesse Bullington spent the bulk of his formative years in rural Pennsylvania, the Netherlands, and Tallahassee, Florida. He is a folklore and outdoor enthusiast who holds a bachelor's degree in History and English Literature from Florida State University. He currently resides in Colorado, and his blog, as well as fan art, news and exclusive content can be found at www.jessebullington.com.

 
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