The Storyteller's War by J.C. Corry

Go out and get your copy of The Storyteller's War by J.C. Corry published by Black Rose Writing! Whether you are a student of medieval studies, a lover of literature, or (like me) all of the above, this collector's item will improve your bookshelf.

In The Storyteller's War: Geoffrey Chaucer Reluctant Spy, Corry pulls enough detail from the age to ground his tale of espionage and personalities without halting the momentum of what is a compelling story.

At the time of the major battle in Chapter Thirty-One (3 April 1367) Chaucer is about twenty-four years old. More than twenty-four years ago, when I was younger than twenty-four, I studied Chaucer's words (yet only a small bit of his life). I wish I had had this book then.

The family of Chaucer has connections to both the wine trade and King Edward's court. This, plus Chaucer's ability to meet notables of the age then pull stories out of these captivating characters, makes for a solid spy tale. Young Geoffrey Chaucer's faults and foibles add dimensions. These strengthen the work.

On The Consolation of Philosophy has a close place in my personal history. As I hold my own copy and consider what this book meant to me, I am cheered to see the place Boethius' work holds in this story of Chaucer as well.

I really enjoyed the interactions between Chaucer and Pippa, how their desires and worries collide, mix, and form witty wordplay. The relationship between Chaucer and Pippa seems vivid and alive. I found their scenes compelling, riveting, and engaging.

I loved the exotic castles and palaces of Zaragoza, Olite, and other places in the Iberian peninsula.

The capture of Ayala is very moving. I don't want to give anything away, but the lines about "Chaucer and Ayala...  side by side, two storytellers bonded by fortune, fate and courage" pulled much of the novel together for me.

Corry adds a depth to the life of Chaucer I have never read about before.

I learned a great deal about Chaucer's life, about historical fiction as a genre, and about writing a novel from enjoying The Storyteller's War. I anticipate the next novel in the series: The Storyteller’s Reputation.

I seek the publisher of Title Undetermined

My local public library lists new books.

Each new book usually has both a title and a cover.

Sometimes a new book has only a title and a grey rectangle substitutes for the cover.

The new book at the bottom left intrigued me:

Now, that is an interesting way to market a new release! I thought. 

Intrigued, I clicked on the rectangle. 

The mystique increased:

Who is the author behind “Title Undetermined”?

Did that person have a title in mind and argued with the publisher over it, then both sides gave up but decided to print it anyway? Or did the author never determine the title, ever? How long did the author slave away at a work without even a working title? (Is this work created by AI and the title was not part of the parameters?)

Setting aside authorial intent and the marketing team's effective yet murky method of hyping this book by obfuscating the title,  I really want to learn more about any publisher who decided to go ahead with promoting a book called “Title Undetermined”.

Perhaps this is a publisher I could work with!

I pulled up the Full details and scoured the Original record for this work:

Obviously the author and the publisher value their privacy. In today's digital age, when so much information is out there, I can respect this. 

Still, I remain very intrigued, and decided to place a hold on this work.

Here, I became devastated:

It appears that both maximum secrecy and minimum utility have been achieved.

I am not able to secure this work using the app.

I intend to seek it out In Person at my local public library branch. 

If I successfully determine Title Undetermined I will update this post.