Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva

Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva - Eliza Redgold Originally posted on Book-o-Craze, on a tour hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.


What an emotional ride! Both literally and figuratively!

This book is devoted to Lady Godiva, her story and what drove her to carry out her famous naked ride. Of course, some true facts were included in the retelling, but a plot twist was the added element, that made the legend seem a little nicer, in some ways!

I have to admit that I'm not very familiar with the true myth of Lady Godiva's ride. Before reading this book, I only knew about the trivia I had stumbled upon. But, through this emotional retelling I currently feel so sympathetic towards Coventry's Lady, her personality, as it is being described in the book, as well as the decisions she had to make.

Lady Godiva, the narrator of the story, is a strong, independent protagonist, that I was very delighted to read about. I loved the way her thoughts were cited by the author. Especially these flashbacks where she remembered moments from her past, they were seeming so real, and like everything that takes place in a person's mind. Everything so beautifully described! Her joy, her pleasure, her agony, her grief. A well-built heroine, I greatly enjoyed to follow through on her adventures!

Her husband, Leofric, was a mysterious man who inspired so many feelings on the heroine, that made me think for a moment I was feeling all those sentiments myself. At first so closed to himself and to his own thoughts, he would allure Godiva, for sure.

At some point, I thought that even a love triangle would form between the heroine, the brave warrior Leofric and Edmund, her childhood friend, who had already asked for her hand in marriage. Godiva sure seemed attracted to him at first, but the passion was nonexistent until Leofric made his appearance.

After that, the way the heroine's feelings evolved was so wonderfully narrated, making the readers feel the anguish which Lady Godiva felt, whenever the story was taking an unexpected turn. And, that didn't occur rarely in the case of this book. Things were constantly kept interesting with all this background story evolving on its own, hidden until the moment everything became clear.

The author delivered the myth in such a way to make us actually wonder whether the events took place as the legend says, or if there was actually something the lords of Coventry liked to cover, underneath it.

I won't spoil the ride Lady Godiva carried out, and the exact sentiments this event, and the way everyone in the town responded to it, brought on to me. It was a very delicate part of the book, and one where the feelings escalated.

All in all, 5 stars to a beautiful retelling of a greatly emotional ride.