I’m very fond of a good historical novel, bringing to life a period of our ancestor’s lives, which have more often than not just been the dry recounting the events in the past. To be honest, to took me a while to get into this book, but once safely ensconced it was a worthwhile read. The very early part of the 17th century and the beginning of opening up of the Americas is not often told, in particular of the period before the voyage of the Mayflower, it’s companion ships and the Pilgrim Fathers sailing across the frightening Atlantic. The book describes, what I’m hoping is accurately, the dreadful conditions endured by those early settlers and explorers, though I don’t think many where for that, there was far more interest in personal gain than anything else. The devotion to the religious ways, which was to come later, was just a backdrop.
I had a feeling of the main character, Christian Hardy, that he sounds and acts a bit like a 17th century Janes Bond, as his exploits are sometimes quite far fetched for one man and in this tale, his dog as well. The introduction of Captain Smith and his saviour the American Indian Princess, Pocahontas is well known, though not always considered entirely true by some, provides further interest.
I understand that there are already another three books with this character and I will look forward to reading them in due course. This may not be on the highest run of historical fiction, but it’s a great read.
I had a feeling of the main character, Christian Hardy, that he sounds and acts a bit like a 17th century Janes Bond, as his exploits are sometimes quite far fetched for one man and in this tale, his dog as well. The introduction of Captain Smith and his saviour the American Indian Princess, Pocahontas is well known, though not always considered entirely true by some, provides further interest.
I understand that there are already another three books with this character and I will look forward to reading them in due course. This may not be on the highest run of historical fiction, but it’s a great read.