A review by bickie
Un cane al tempo degli uomini liberi by Henrietta Branford

3.0

Historical fiction during the time of the English Peasant Rebellion in 1381 told through the eyes of a loyal hunting dog. The first chapter (3 pages) could make the book a tough sell. This is a book that requires some patience; however, there is plenty of action: hunting, hanging, parading heads on pikes through town, domestic abuse. While none of the violence is gratuitous, it is definitely there. A traitorous character gets his comeuppance at the end but not until a beloved character meets a grisly end. In addition to the violence, though, there is also loyalty and a dedication to a cause that is right even though it is not universally popular. It's a good introduction to historical fiction for readers reluctant to try the genre; the dog as narrator might be a good entrée, and although the setting is based in historical fact, it feels a lot like medieval-ish fantasy worlds.