THE FOURTEENTH OF OCTOBER

by Bryher ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 25, 1952

Another reach into distant history, this reconstruction of Saxon life at the time of the Norman conquest (the eleventh century) in the style of a modern novel. The Saxon boy, Wulf, is taken hostage by the invading Danes and later sold into serfdom to the hated Normans. With a follow Saxon, Rafe, he is able to escape to Cornwall and safety and on a large and prosperous farm falls in love with the owner's daughter, Laurel. The romance (which is the book's weakest point) has its obstacles because Laurel is promised to Rafe but it is played out against the stirring days of the Battle of Hastings and the acrid victory of the Normans. There may be no magic here but the vigor, the recreation of the deathless year of 1066, the vivid procession of the people of that time bring past history close and make this a sound story for the whole family.

Pub Date: April 25, 1952

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Pantheon

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1952

Categories: FICTION