The Black Arrow
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Author Description
Purchase one of 1st World Library's Classic Books and help support our free internet library of downloadable eBooks. Visit us online at www.1stWorldLibrary.ORG - - No one but myself knows what I have suffered, nor what my books have gained, by your unsleeping watchfulness and admirable pertinacity. And now here is a volume that goes into the world and lacks your imprimatur: a strange thing in our joint lives; and the reason of it stranger still! I have watched with interest, with pain, and at length with amusement, your unavailing attempts to peruse The Black Arrow; and I think I should lack humour indeed, if I let the occasion slip and did not place your name in the fly-leaf of the only book of mine that you have never read--and never will read. That others may display more constancy is still my hope. The tale was written years ago for a particular audience and (I may say) in rivalry with a particular author; I think I should do well to name him, Mr. Alfred R. Phillips. It was not without its reward at the time. I could not, indeed, displace Mr. Phillips from his well-won priority; but in the eyes of readers who thought less than nothing of Treasure Island, The Black Arrow was supposed to mark a clear advance. Those who read volumes and those who read story papers belong to different worlds. The verdict on Treasure Island was reversed in the other court; I wonder, will it be the same with its successor?
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
Richard Shelton finds himself thrust into a dangerous web of political betrayal and familial vengeance during the chaos of the Wars of the Roses. As a young man seeking to uncover the truth behind his father's murder, Shelton must navigate shifting loyalties and the brutal realities of medieval conflict. He faces opposition from powerful lords and treacherous guardians, forcing him to rely on his wits and growing martial skill to survive. The narrative follows a traditional third-person perspective, detailing the protagonist's transformation from an unsuspecting ward into a key player in the Lancastrian and Yorkist struggle.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Historical setting during the Wars of the Roses
- Themes of political intrigue and personal vendetta
- Focus on the development of a young protagonist
- Inclusion of romantic subplots amidst military conflict
- Use of period-appropriate dialogue and atmosphere
- Pacing driven by tactical maneuvers and skirmishes
- Exploration of moral ambiguity in wartime
- Emphasis on the consequences of shifting allegiances
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers often compare this work to the author's other adventure novels, noting its distinct focus on historical conflict rather than maritime exploration. Discussion frequently centers on the pacing of the plot, which many describe as more deliberate than the author's more famous works. Critics highlight the effective use of the medieval backdrop to heighten the stakes of the protagonist's personal quest. While some readers find the archaic language challenging, others appreciate the commitment to period authenticity. The book remains a subject of interest for those examining the evolution of the author's narrative style and his attempts to capture different literary audiences.
Page Count:
246
Publication Date:
1962-11-01
Publisher:
Macmillan Pub Co
ISBN-10:
0020450702
ISBN-13:
9780020450702
Historical Fiction
Adventure
Romance
classic
Classics
War
