You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Most of my GR friends gave this 4 stars or fewer but for me this deserved a full 5. It is a compelling read. We have a fiercely protective father who brings his two teenaged children Daniel and Cathy back to the part of Yorkshire, where he once lived and their mother grew up. Their mother is absent, disappeared, and it is hinted that she was emotionally unstable. The family builds a dwelling on what was their mother's land. The area is ruled autocratically by Price, a wealthy tyrant, who through trickery, theft, and money, has gained ownership of a large territory. This is post-Thatcher England, where public housing was sold off and years later, those with modest incomes find their homes bought by Price.
Elmet, the last Celtic Kingdom, existed between the 5th and 7th centuries (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmet). It's exact borders are unknown but it was later incorporated into Northumbria. Robin Hood also has some associations with Elmet ; although he lived further south, he fought some battles there. These elements are critical to the story. There are actions by the father and some of the villagers which are Robin Hoodish as they fight back against Price.
The elements of this story I liked included the father's independence, the push back by the villagers against the tyrant Price; the children's character and ability to manage much beyond their years; the environment of Elmet, and of course the story. It was a book that once I got into, was hard to put down.
I have categorized this book as dystopian. Normally dystopian fiction is set in the future. However it is defined as "an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives" (Merriam Webster Dictionary). This is precisely the situation of the villagers in Elmet. The father is one of the few who isn't fearful. While some readers weren't happy with the ending, I don't think it could have been any different.
Elmet, the last Celtic Kingdom, existed between the 5th and 7th centuries (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmet). It's exact borders are unknown but it was later incorporated into Northumbria. Robin Hood also has some associations with Elmet ; although he lived further south, he fought some battles there. These elements are critical to the story. There are actions by the father and some of the villagers which are Robin Hoodish as they fight back against Price.
The elements of this story I liked included the father's independence, the push back by the villagers against the tyrant Price; the children's character and ability to manage much beyond their years; the environment of Elmet, and of course the story. It was a book that once I got into, was hard to put down.
I have categorized this book as dystopian. Normally dystopian fiction is set in the future. However it is defined as "an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives" (Merriam Webster Dictionary). This is precisely the situation of the villagers in Elmet. The father is one of the few who isn't fearful. While some readers weren't happy with the ending, I don't think it could have been any different.