Book: Morality Play

"Morality Play" by Barry Unsworth is a gripping historical novel set in the bleak landscape of 14th-century England, where a wandering troupe of actors stumbles upon a dark mystery that challenges their identities and art. The story is narrated by Nicholas Barber, a young priest who abandons his duties and joins an itinerant group of players. As they travel from town to town, the troupe decides to create plays based on real events, aiming to breathe new life into their performances. Their ambition leads them to a small village where a young boy's murder has cast a shadow over the community. Driven by a quest for truth and justice, the actors develop a play about the murder, gradually unveiling layers of deceit and power. Exploring themes of art, justice, and moral conflict, Unsworth intricately weaves a narrative that questions the boundaries between reality and performance, highlighting the complex interplay between human nature and societal pressures in a time of great change.