A STAGE FOR ROM

by Nancy Faulkner ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 3, 1962

Tucked away with a suitcase of theatre things, a pair of baby twins are rescued and brought to the Colonies by Barney Hormsby, a traveling actor. Rom and his sister Pol grow up knowing nothing of their background until a close shave with death forces Barney to spill the whole story. A letter containing the phrase ""must be rid of them and right quickly"" torments Rom, feeding his fury and hatred. The wild hope that another actor, Patrick Malone, might be his real father is unfounded and Rom settles down to the task of playing Shakespearean roles and avoiding the menacing Black Rafe, a fellow actor and jealous enemy. There are many adventures along the caravan route, highlighted by a final showdown with Rafe which serves two purposes -- to prove the bully a sniveling coward and to dispel some of Rom's anger. During an engagement in Williamsburg, Rom and Pol meet Colonel Littleton a man who lost his own children years ago. Piecing the evidence together, Rom discovers that he and Pol are those children -- abandoned to supposed safety during the political upheavals in England. Stage takes on a double meaning as Rom emerges from a stage of frenzied suspicion and sees Williamsburg and the home of his real parents as the authentic stage for the true drama of his life. The writing reflects the flowery style of the era, but Rom's story depicts a common fantasy among many children who may or may not accept the ending.

Pub Date: Aug. 3, 1962

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1962

Categories: FICTION