2010 Green Books Campaign: The Players

Today at 1:00pm two hundred bloggers are simultaneously posting reviews of books printed on environmental paper in order to raise awareness of "green books" and the need for publishers to be more thoughtful in their choice of materials they use and readers in the products they are buying.  All two hundred books are made with either recycled paper or FSC-certified paper.   The Green Books Campaign was begun in 2009 by Eco-Libris and has been partnered by a number of publishers, bookstores and other businesses to help get the word out.

Goose Lane Editions kindly provided me with a copy of Margaret Sweatman's The Players to read for the campaign.  Goose Lane is Canada's oldest independent publisher and has a reputation for turning out quality, award winning books, and Sweatman's novel is no exception.  You can see a list of books being reviewed today with links to individual blogs here.

Margaret Sweatman's The Players is an easy, entertaining read, but it's the sort of story that lingers long after that last page has been turned.  You feel the weight of it after the fact.  It's a seductive story and being an actress, Lilly Cole knows how to seduce the reader.  Maybe I should say Margaret Sweatman knows how to seduce the reader.  The Players is a perfect historical novel for people who think they don't like historical novels.  Witty and playful Sweatman's prose is infused with a modern sensibility, so even as you feel the grittiness of Restoration London or the frigid, numbing cold of the Canadian wilderness Sweatman carries you along at a rapid pace.  You're always aware of your surroundings, as elegant or inhospitable as they may be, yet nothing ever feels like a prop.

At the tender age of sixteen Lilly Cole must learn the fine art of reinvention when she finds herself alone after the death of her mother.  The first line of the first chapter sets the scene.

"This was the beginning of Lilly's real life, the one she would invent out of thin air."

And invent and reinvent herself over and over she will.  The Players is every bit an adventure story as it is a tale of survival, and 17th century London is an unhappy place for a woman who has no money and no protector.  So Lilly must learn to be a player to survive.  She does what many a woman in history has done to get by.  Luckily for her the first man to press a coin into Lilly's hand is the Second Earl of Buxborough.  With his gold ringlets and dazzling clothes, Bartholomew asks very little of Lilly.  It's the conversation he wants.  "He paid her despite that.  He began to pay her often.  After a cure (for a small but lively canker), he proved himself capable of a certain energy, but he liked wine more, and while he admired Lilly's flesh, he soon became obsessed with her other qualities".  Since she was already performing for him, playing the courtesan, he decided to turn her into a real actress.

So Lilly becomes a Player at the King's Playhouse, something she proves to have a real knack for.  She's a born mimic and despite not knowing how to read or write can learn her parts perfectly by memory.  Looks and talent she has and a certain something else, and with it all she catches the eye of the highest man in the realm (perhaps not so surprising considering his normal extracurricular amorous activities), King Charles II. Despite the Court's rather salacious leanings and libertine attitudes, London is still oozing with religious fervor by those holdovers from Cromwell's days.  Lilly makes enemies, and caught in the act of defending herself from unwanted attentions (remember that inhospitable environment for women), the perfect excuse for accusing her of witchcraft arises.

Enter stage left two French explorers: Radisson and Des Groseilliers have come in search of a ship, which they hope Charles will provide.  Their interest lies in successfully journeying through the Northwest Passage to China with a detour to the Hudson Bay for the riches of furs for the King.  They believe once they've arrived in New France (Canada) it's a simple two weeks through to the Sea of Japan and onwards to China, a feat not yet achieved.  And the perfect solution to Lilly's problem has presented itself, what better escape from the noose (or worse) than to stowaway on the Wivenhoe and travel to China.  Mistress to the King she not only defies him, but chooses her own fate.  And reinvents herself one more time.

Sailors don't appreciate women on board their sailing vessels, but Lilly along with Bartholomew, unapologetically remains.  She must learn to be still and small and almost invisible.  It's a harrowing journey of bitter cold and ice, of barely surviving the harsh elements, the storms and packs of ice.  Whether they reach China or even Hudson Bay I'm keeping to myself, as this is one to pick up and discover the answers to those questions on your own.  Lilly is truly a formidable heroine.  She asks not to be judged and paves a way for herself in the world on her own strengths and desires.  She is a survivor.        

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect with this one when I started reading, but I read it cover to cover over a weekend and found it a fairly thrilling read.  It's not only Lilly who is a vivid, fleshy character, but the entire cast is colorful and provocative.  I imagine them all coming out now and taking their bows.  Bravo.

Comments

[Krakovianka]

I've never understood what's "ungreen" about paper. Nobody cuts down beautiful oaks and maples for paper. Paper wood is farmed, much like corn or cotton--acres and acres of soft pine. When they cut down one part, it is replanted. Having lived in paper-mill country for many years, I think paper is no less "green" than blue jeans and cotton tee-shirts. It's all made from materials grown for the purpose.

[Katrina]

Where I live newspapers and any other clean paper and cardboard has always been recycled. We live near paper mills so it's easy and cheap to transport it all there, but I suppose I had kind of assumed that everybody did it.

[Danielle]

Krakovianka--I think most paper does come from trees grown specially for that purpose and hopefully countries are doing just that (harvesting and replanting and not harvesting from protected forests), but according to the FSC website in some countries (they didn't list which--or I just didn't dig far enough) as much as 80% of wood is harvested illegally. That may not happen here so much or in Poland but I bet it does happen in other places. I think Eco-Libris is just trying to get people to be aware and urge publishers to be cognizant of the materials they are using and to choose either recycled paper rather than "virgin" paper or paper that is FSC-certified and trying to balance out the number of books "consumed" with new trees being planted.
Katrina--In my community each household has a green bin for recycling plastic and paper. It's an easy thing to do as the bin and papers/cardboard that are tied together goes outside on trash day and a service comes by and collects the recyclables. However this is a voluntary thing and unfortunately not everyone is my neighborhood does it. I don't understand this as it seems such a simple thing to just throw tin cans or yogurt cups as well as newspapers, magazines and all that cardboard a lot of food comes in into the bin rather than the trash can. I think Europeans have been much more progressive about recycling than Americans--we're only catching up--at least that's my experience--when I was in Austria in the early 90s they were already doing some of the things we've only started doing recently! Wouldn't it be nice if everyone did do it?! :)

[Caroline]

I think it is a good thing to raise awareness. If this allowed you to read a good novel on top of it. All the better. I sometimes see the label "this has been printed on ecological paper" in German books. But not very often. I guess there must be a difference somewhere. Maybe it is not only about the paper but about the chemicals used to fabricate it? Just a thought.

[litlove]

I'm all for campaigns that raise awareness, and this sounds like a very interesting book. I've never heard of the author but will look out for her now.

[Penny]

What a great idea! I visited the Green Books site and appreciate you citing it here in your well written post.

You are right. We Americans, of which I am one, are just catching up and I think, more than anything, need to be constantly reminded to recycle. You have done a worthy job here and I thank you.

[Stefanie]

How nice to not only read a good book but one printed in a more environmentally way. The book seems like a good one for curling up with and getting lost in.

[Danielle]

Caroline--I did enjoy the book and think Sweatman should really be better known. I've noticed that UK books seem to have the FSC notation on them more so than American books--but maybe I need to pay more attention. It is a good thing to be aware and think about how my actions have an impact on the environment.
Litlove--I had not heard of her either, but I am glad I discovered her. When I first started reading I wasn't sure what I had gotten myself into. The style took a little getting used to, but I ended up really enjoying it. The more I think about it the more I realize the depth the book reached.
Penny--I didn't get to participate in this last year, so I was glad I could this time around. And it's nice to see so many publishers trying to be ecologically aware when it comes to materials. I think Americans are getting much better at trying to recycle, but I'm a little sad to see so many of my neighbors not even bother with using recycling bins. I guess we still have a way to go.
Stefanie--I lucked out with my book choice. She's a wonderful writer. The scenes on the ship traveling from England to Canada had me glued to the pages--all that ice! This was a really good experience for me and it was good to read up a bit on green books as well!

[Serena]

stopping by from another stop on the campaign...sounds like an interesting historical novel...

[Danielle]

Sarena--Thanks so much for stopping by! I really enjoyed this--it was a great find. Sweatman really deserves to be better known!

[Jodie]

My favourite period of history! This sounds like a cracker with a lively plot.

[Danielle]

Jodie--You should give this a try--it is a fascinating period of history and this does indeed have a very lively plot!