By: James Hutson-Wiley
Publisher: New Generation Publishing
Publication Date: 2018
ISBN: 978-1-78955-320-8
Reviewed by Diane Lunsford
Review Date: January 18, 2021
The Sugar Merchant by James Hutson-Wiley is a masterful and historically enriched body of work.
The journey begins in the 11th century. Thomas Woodward is in the throes of a commercial revolution. Set in the Mediterranean, the dichotomy of faiths; Judaism, Christianity and Islam are at the center of this story. At times, the interceptions are peaceful and other times, quite bloody. Interests of Western Christians have drawn lines with the Muslim world and war is imminent. The Church is on standby at the ready and will do anything to reclaim the Holy Land. At the center of the imminent conflict is Thomas and his Muslim partners’ prosperous sugar trade.
When conflict strikes, Thomas’ family is desecrated in a raid which is foundational to his life forever changing. For days, he wanders about in a starving and destitute haze. When he is rescued by a monk and taken to live at the abbey of Eynsham, he is educated. He trains to be a scholar, merchant and a spy. The underlying strategy of his astute teachers is to mold Thomas in such a way he can develop commerce in Muslim lands and disseminate critical information to the ‘Holy See.’ Thomas’ travels will deposit him in a multitude of coveted trading cities such as Almeria, Amalfi, Alexandria and Cairo. The perils will prove to be a true testament to Thomas’ success.
James Hutson-Wiley checks many critical boxes at the onset of this book. Before the proverbial ‘Chapter One’ unfolds, he treats his audience to the backstory and insights to his inspiration to write this exceptional book in his introduction titled ‘Translators’ Notes.’ In my opinion, this was quite savvy on Mr. Hutson-Wiley’s part because it sets the foundation of the ‘why’ and ‘how’ this tale came about. He addresses certain materials he came about during a visit to Cambridge and how he uncovered a ‘...collection of Cairo Genizah documents, as part of a research project, I discovered a manuscript in a dusty corner of the library...’ I likened this to a ‘tomb-raider’ meets historical journey about to unfold. To further assist in grasping the full embodiment of the story line, Mr. Hutson-Wiley provided a glossary at book’s end to assist his audience in understanding demographics and terminology used during this period of time in history. The storyline and pace move fluently from chapter to chapter and the education one attains throughout is delicious. I applaud Mr. Hutson-Wiley for writing a superb and engaging tale.
Quill says: The Sugar Merchant bundles cultural clashes, economic change and the face-off with determination and spirit to persevere no matter the challenge.
Rusty Kenneficke's 3rd Quarter (Rusty Kenneficke Trilogy)
The Mockingbird's Song (Amish Greenhouse Mysteries, Book 2)
When I Meet You (Tree of Life Series, Book 3)
Life in the Chastity Zone (Chastity Series, Book 1)
The Further Life of Rusty Kenneficke (The Rusty Kenneficke Trilogy Book 2)
Once Upon a Dickens Christmas: 3 Charming Christmas Tales Set in Victorian England
The Ropes That Bind: Based on a True Story of Child Sexual Abuse
Flirtation on the Hudson (Journey of Cornelia Rose)
The Forgiving Jar (The Prayer Jars)
The Inn at Hidden Run (Tree of Life Series)
The Cuckoo Colloquium: Getting Lost to Find Yourself
The White City: True Colors - Historical Stories of American Crime
The Misadventures of Rusty Kenneficke
Material Things: The Untold Story of a Young Entrepreneur Who Made a Killing in the Jeans Business
Angels on Overtime: A Divine Romantic Comedy
Seeking Glory: A Novel about Relationships, Loss, and Finding Your Way Home
The Benghazi Affair (Stone Waverly Trilogy)
Chanting the Feminine Down: A Psychological, Religious, and Historical Novel
Casanova Cowboy: Where the Old West Lives on in the Rusty Springs Valley
Whisper In My Ear (Vol III of III)
Whisper In My Ear (Vol II of III)
The Love Fool: A Rome-antic Comedy
Whisper In My Ear (Vol I of III)
Amish Cooking Class: The Blessing
One Good Thing: A Ten Beach Road Novel
The Enchantment of Emma Fletcher
A Lady’s Code of Misconduct (Rules for the Reckless)
The Angels’ Share (The Bourbon Kings)
Sunshine Beach: A Ten Beach Road Novel
From Bags to Riches: A Jessie Stanton Novel
13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl
A Pink Suitcase: 22 Tales of Women’s Travel
The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach
The Gates of Rutherford: A Novel of Rutherford Park
Death of a Diva: From Berlin to Broadway
Persuasion, Captain Wentworth and Cracklin’ Cornbread (Jane Austen Takes the South)
Pride, Prejudice, and Cheese Grits (Jane Austen Takes the South)
The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky
The Wild Dark Flowers: A Novel of Rutherford Park
A Farm Dies Once a Year: A Memoir
Jane Austen’s Guide to Life: Thoughtful Lessons for the Modern Woman
Epic Sloth: Tales of the Long Crawl
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children: The Graphic Novel
Hollow City: The Second Novel of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Between A Mother and Her Child
Courage: A Story of Love and Friendship
The Pipers and the First Phase (Volume 1)
Indivisible? The Story of the Second American Civil War
Down & Out in Bugtussle: The Mad Fat Road to Happiness
Lioslaith: Last of the Painted Ones
Star Trek The Next Generation: On Board the U.S.S. Enterprise
Faith Bass Darling’s Last Garage Sale
Pride & Prejudice With a Side of Grits
Dancing at the Shame Prom: Sharing the Stories That Kept Us Small
Disclosure in Accordance with FTC Guidelines 16 CFR Part 255
Copyrights © 2021 Feathered Quill Reviews All Rights Reserved. | Designed & Developed by Unglitch.io
