Flint

by Margaret Redfern

Will and his brother Ned are on the long march from the Fens to North Wales, commandeered into the army of ditch-diggers heading west towards Flint, where they will be preparing the ground for the foundations of Edward I's new castle. They are nervous and rightly so—for not only is Ned a mute, whose abilities as a horse-whisperer and herbalist make him suspicious in the eyes of their English overseers, but they have been close to the enemy. Ned had been secretly taking lessons in music from Ieuan ap y Gof, an exiled bard, when the Welshman disappeared one night without warning not long before Edward's officers came recruiting. The boys find themselves a long way from home, virtually friendless and then captured by the enemy, suspected of treason and near killed before they are able to escape. When all appears lost, Will learns that love is sometimes harder to understand and to come to terms with than death itself.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Medieval, Historical

195 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 2009

Reviews

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book, and a sad book in a way. Or maybe I as the reader was sadden by it. She has a good way of writing, a very easy style, that says much but at the same time not. I like the style, and it does draw you in.

It's a story about two boys, Ned who is sometimes looked down upon cos he is not right in the head, and his younger brother Will who looks after his brother. Or perhaps it's just the other way around. The story is told by Will as an old man, looking back at what happened back then. We get to see the march towards Wales and sometime things that happened before the march. This time told in another way. He is sent with them to be at his brother's side, and Ned longs to meet the Welsh bard again who visited their village. Ned is a master at playing, and his music echoes though out the book, and I wish I could hear it too. It's supposed to bring tears to your eyes.

Now why did I get sad at times, well I do like Wales, the name says it all. And here Edward I is hunting down Prince Llywelyn, and he will meet an sad end. The people is suffering. Then there are the diggers, English men from all over who has to prepare the grounds and build the castles the king wants. Horrible conditions and taken way from those they love. Always at risk since there is a war going on.

I like Will, he is a strong child, and even if he is scared at times he puts on a brave face. There are other memorable characters as well in the book. Some good, some rather bad. Some we meet just for a moment before they are swept away.

The book is short, but there is a nice conclusion, but I do wonder about Will afterwards. He seems to have lived a memorable life. I would like to read more, at the same time the book have to end where it does so he can grow up. As for Ned, everything is seen trough Will's eyes, and I sometimes wonder what goes on in his head. perhaps there is just the sweet music of the bard. I am so happy when he gets to play.

This is a historical book, set in a turbulent time. We don't get to see noble men fight and so on, instead we get to see what those behind, far, far behind are doing while people are fighting and negotiating. Life at the other side.

I liked the tone of the book, her easy way of writing. It's a book that can be read by all, no age limit either, well there is one bloody scene but people are used to everything these days. The language flows easy also.

[Lucienne Boyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written book, poetic and lyrical. Occasionally though I did feel that the focus was too much on style: the big reveal at the end came and went without much build up or notice taken of it. The prose switches between first person and short third person passages, and I wasn't sure the third person sections added much to the story, wonderfully written though they were. But overall it is really a lovely read: the characters are well realised and the stories of their lives and deaths are poignant and affecting. The descriptions of Wales, of every day life and labour, the themes of danger, threat, defeat, love and loss are well handled.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a few pages this settles down into a fine read with very likable brothers, lilting music and riddles around the camp fire.

The opening scenes are based in the fenlands two hundred years after my last medieval read of that area: Cold Heart, Cruel Hand A Novel Of Hereward The Wake and The Fen Rebellion of 1070-1071.

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Flint Castle reopens after safety fears



A castle closed to the public after staff were targeted by bottle-throwing vandals is to reopen. Cadw, the assembly government's historic monuments agency, said workers at Flint Castle had also been spat on. It previously said it had not been able to guarantee visitors' safety, but following a site inspection, it said the attraction will reopen on Thursday.

Full story here : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wa...
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William Turner. Flint Castle. 1838. Watercolour on paper. Private collection, Japan.

Flint - Margaret Redfern
£1.50 - Quantity: 1 - In Stock
Condition: Used - Like New
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[J.R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale of love and loyalty in that dangerous period in British history when Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, defied Edward 1 who launched an army in retaliation.

Redfern has a knack for transporting the reader back to the harsh time of which she writes. It’s a short novel but one with a broad palette and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Veronika · Rating 5 out of 5]

To serve as a stronghold, Edward I of England (1239-1307) built a castle in Flint, Wales as he pressed to conquer Welsh territory. Although not followers of Edward, brothers Will and Ned, Fen lads, were forced to prepare the foundations for his castle. This is their story.

If written in present times, Flint would be seen as a coming of age novel. The story chronicles Will's pre-teen years through his amazing journey from home to north eastern Wales for their work as fossatores (ditch-diggers), and beyond. But truly, Will, shovel in hand, had little chance at a childhood as he looked out for his older brother during their travels.

A very affecting novel. Masterfully woven together with true tales, folklore, music and mystique, Flint is a satisfying read that will gratify a wide array of readers. With its vivid imagery, you'll be digging in the foul trenches with the Fen lads by day and enjoying the soulful music of Ned's swan pipe by night. The brilliant use of figurative language adds to the ambience of the story. Rich underlying themes tie the novel together beautifully, such as "the same, yet not the same": This theme haunts the book, and the characters' and readers' thoughts on the same subject transform as the plot develops. A must read for lovers of history, fraternal love and music alike. Historical fiction at its best!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to be posted later once the HNS magazine is out. Well worth the read though - thoroughly enjoyable.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just arrived from Finland, by BM. An amazing first novel by Margaret Redfern. Makes me remind Here be Dragons which I must re-read some day.

[Misfit]

Yay, library ordered a few copies.

[Elysium · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't bad but couldn't really connect with the characters. But I loved reading more about Wales.