THE CONSTANT STAR

by Prudence Andrew ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

The Peasants' Revolt in Medieval England is described by Thomas, a loyal, ind, animally-ignorant vassal who is happy with his communal village life and his edual bonds to the old Lord, whom he loves. Henry, a self-seeking younger peasant, joins the forces of revolt, and persecutes Thomas unmercifully. The battle between ents versus feudal services (or communal cooperation versus competitiveness) becomes bitter; fields are neglected, men killed, the old Lord destroyed, as the revolt sweeps the country. Thomas emerges as a kind of hero, and an apparent winner, when the rebellion is quelled; but Henry's descendants become gentleman farmers, while Thomas' are day-laborers. A skillful recreation of a highly limited mentality and way of life caught up in violent change, this book is rich in both homely and dramatically brutal scenes, and in the intimate detail of a vanished English countryside. But the victory of ruthless, competitive Henry over gentle, dumb homas is an oddly ambiguous tragedy.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1964

Categories: FICTION