THE TOWN HOUSE

The value of this book for young people lies in the extraordinarily vivid portrait of England gradually emerging from feudalism, the serfs finding themselves and learning that they are human with human needs and aspirations. The time is the 14th-15th century and three generations are spanned in the story of Martin, who ran away with Kate, whose marriage to him was forbidden by their feudal lord who wished her for himself. The bitter struggle against dire poverty and oppression, against social bars and the power of the guilds makes Martin's slow climb to security a fascinating picture of the times.