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by Susan Valentine Mitchell ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 13, 1954

If this story of Christopher Columbus, his struggle to win recognition and his ultimate achievement, were not written in verse- it would have a real popular potential. For here, at its heighth, is the glory of Spain- and Spain today is in everyone's thoughts (if not his traveler's cheques). There is too an element of timeliness, as the forces of intellect versus obscurantism, good against evil contend and provide a drama which has its parallel in our time. Miss Mitchell revives the period and her characters with tremendous vitality, and Isabella, Ferdinand, Columbus, Torquemada, and a score of lesser characters have real color and dimensions. The story not only moves, but is very moving, perhaps because of an element of almost mystic romanticism. The only drawback is that it is written in verse, a kind of free verse, and it can scarcely be hoped that modern readers will consent to this literary form, while willing however to accept many historical reconstructions of lesser virtues.

Pub Date: Sept. 13, 1954

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Young

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1954

Categories: NONFICTION