Title: The Black Arrow
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson. Narrated by Ron Keith.
Publisher: Originally published 1883 as a serial. Audio book, Prince Frederick, MD, Recorded Book, 2003.
Source: One-click library
Summary:
Set in the 1450s, during the War of the Roses (York vs. Lancaster, for those who remember enough English history for any of it to matter), this is the tale of young Richard Shelton, who finds himself caught between the two factions. He has to sort his way through battles, shipwrecks, the uncertainties of friend and enemy, revenge and murder, to win his peace and his sweetheart.
Review:
This is truly a tale worthy of the great masters of sword-wielding fantasy, even if set in a real historical time and place. Dick Shelton fights his way through every time, is wounded and fights on, escapes and is captured, has to learn the hard way the consequences of wandering to the wrong side of the law, and all the while is madly in love. Older than most modern middle-grade heroes (he is perhaps 17 or 18 when the story starts), he is nonetheless a perfect juvenile hero, and the story is a perfect romantic (in the sense of knights-in-shining-armor romance, not love and kisses romance, though there is a very mild love story) tale for youngsters.
The somewhat dated language might be a bit of a stumbling block for some kids, but most should pick it up quickly, and will enjoy the sense of otherness it creates. Ron Keith reads it well, making it easier for readers of all levels to follow the story. He reads Stevenson's overwrought "medieval" language with a straight face, which actually works very well. After listening for an hour or so, I felt like throwing a few "mayhaps" and "perchances" into my own speech.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this for fairly advanced middle-grade readers, and for adults who are fond of medieval-style fantasy adventures (even though this is a historical novel, it feels a lot like some of those fantasies, without the magic).
Full Disclosure: I checked The Black Arrow out of my digital library, and received nothing from the writer, publisher or audio-book producer in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed are my own and those of no one else. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Thanks for sharing. I haven't seen this one before. I love classic literature. Some of my faves are Tom Sawyer, Black Beauty, The Black Stallion, Heidi, and Silas Marner :0)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Silas Marner, but I love all the others! Amazingly, though I'd heard all my life about RLS's books, I hadn't read any. I'm definitely going to check out Treasure Island and Kidnapped!
DeleteWhat a classic. So interesting how middle grade protagonists, are now pitched within the age range of the children reading, but in times gone by, that was clearly not considered. I am not sure this would take my fancy as I find historical fiction very hard going. Thanks for a great review.
ReplyDeleteYes--think about Little Women. It starts when the main protag (Jo) is 15, and goes up from there. I'm not sure what age Alcott was aiming at, though. Maybe what we would call YA--because she clearly considered children to be children until they were 16 or even 18.
DeleteI remember learning about The War of the Roses in my English Lit class in high school. It was such an interesting topic. This book sounds intriguing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI do love historical fiction. And reading just plain old children's fiction is always entertaining, and usually enlightening.
DeleteThis sounds like an intriguing read! Adventure, shipwrecks, sword fighting...my friend's daughter would love this book! Great review. It's a pleasure to connect with you on the Kid Lit Blog Hop :).
ReplyDeleteYup! Me for Treasure Island next, or maybe Kidnapped--I discovered a copy of that on my bookshelf (how could I have missed reading it??).
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