Random Army

by Madeleine A. Polland

aka Shattered Summer

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Madeleine Polland (who also wrote as Frances Adrian) was born in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland, on May 31, 1918.

Madeleine was educated at Hitchin Girls' Grammar School, Herfordshire, from 1929 to 1937.

After leaving school, she served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, and shortly after leaving married Arthur Joseph Polland in 1946.

Madeleine Polland has written several books for children and many novels for adults. Her first book for young readers, CHILDREN OF THE RED KING, was published in the UK by Constable in 1960.

Reviews

[Michael Bully · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in Somerset during the Summer of 1685 . A relatively short novel, seems to have been designed for young adults in mind. Shows how a gentry family could get caught up in the Monmouth Rebellion. The plot centres round a young lady who seems torn between two brothers , one who is vehemently pro- Monmouth, another who is just as equally opposed. Though there is a twist. Tries hard to convey how the local populace fell for Monmouth's charisma. The novel stops before the Bloody Assizes began, which is a shame as there would have been so many other lines to have developed the story. Overall the novel is adequate but nothing special.

[CLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction about the summer Charles II's illegitimate son Monmouth tried to seize the throne, and the women touched by him (literally and figuratively!).