Review

A Likeness

By Sonia Overall

Published by HarperCollins

Suffused with the sights and smells of Elizabethan London, this debut novel is the exciting story of a naïve Norfolk painter come to the city to make his fortune at court.

Rob (as he his nicknamed when he arrives in London, dressed in a scarlet-fronted shirt – ‘ “Pox on his country manners! You are a rare cockrobin, with your proud eyes and scarlet breast.”’) leaves Thetford following the death of his fiancee.

His arrival in London is a rude awakening for him: the foul streets and stinking Thames; the cutpurses and brawlers; the expensive food and accommodation all dampen his youthful enthusiasm. Worse, his plan to win a place at court is immediately dashed and he has to settle for a Prenticeship under the objectionable Master Swift.

Swift’s school is a desperate place, and proud Rob immediately sets about making enemies. Luckily he also makes a friend of Petty, who offers him accommodation and introduces him to Mistress Katherine Joyce when he seeking a model.

Kat is a voracious courtesan, initially offended that all Rob wants to do is draw her, but they begin a relationship in which the one’s fortunes become increasingly dependent upon the other’s: as Kat says, ‘ “I will find you patrons and you, in return, will pleasure me with paint.”’.

Rob and Kat’s fluctuating fortunes are played out against the turmoil of the Elizabethan court (the Queen’s tempestuous relationship with Leicester and the rise of the hated Robert Devereux) and plague-ridden London.

Through Kat’s good services, Rob moves in elevated circles, befriending George Gower, the Serjeant-Painter, Nicholas Hillyarde, the miniaturist, and Sir Walter Raleigh. Yet he continues to make substantial enemies, who are loathe to forget his cutting slights.

This is deft and exciting storytelling. Rob isn’t an especially likeable man, but his prickly arrogance is of its time; he is easily offended and quick to raise his fists, but he is loyal and brutally honest, both in his art and his words.

The historical characters are likewise excellently brought to life.Almost like a concoction brewed up by the hairy alchemist Simon Forman (who makes an appearance), Overall’s writing is a potent and rich brew, liberally sprinkled with bawdy exclamations and base intrigues.

Reviewed by James Smith, Booktrust website editor

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