"The Black Arrow", Robert Louis Stevenson

This book is a prime example of what Josephine Tey memorably stigmatised as the Victorian art of "writing forsoothly" ("Friend Dickon, ye have certain matters on hand, unless I err? Well, prithee be about them incontinently. For here I be with the choice of all good company, two tough old shipmen; and till that ye return I will go warrant these brave fellows will bide here and drink me cup for cup"). The dialogue of the entire novel -- although mercifully not the surrounding narrative -- is constructed in this laboured cod-Chaucerian style, and while it's easy enough to get your eye in, provided you are already familar with this sort of language, it's pretty obvious why it fell out of fashion. ( Read more... )

But the adventures are thrilling, even if they are episodic in nature and rather convey the impression of having been made up with every installment. One thing that feels very realistic is the completely arbitrary nature of any York/Lancaster allegiance for most of those involved; Dick ends up fighting for the Yorkists more or less at random, having started off by following his guardian to the Lancastrian side, and by the end of the book has already had enough of battle and ambition.