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The Black Arrow

A Tale of the Two Roses

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The Black Arrow

Written by: Robert Louis Stevenson
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
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About this listen

In this swashbuckling novel set in 15th-century England, young Richard Shelton discovers that he has been betrayed by the guardian who raised him - a man involved in the murder of his father. Seventeen-year-old Richard joins the fellowship of the Black Arrow to avenge the death, rescue the woman he loves, and participate in the struggle between the Yorks and Lancasters in the War of the Roses.

Though history records two sides fighting for control of England, The Black Arrow presents a third side: the exploited commoners joined together by their black-arrow weaponry. To survive the war, Richard must rely on his cunning. Through adventures in castles, villages, forests, and aboard a ship, Richard outfoxes captors, bargains his way out of crises, and ultimately proves himself worthy of knighthood.

Public Domain (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction

What the critics say

“The time is 15th-century England, and Richard Shelton, the young hero, overcomes one obstacle after another." ( School Library Journal)
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Before you get started, just know that this is a tale written in 1888 for boys. With that knowledge, the language is understandably archaic and the bulk of the narrative about battles with a tad bit of young romance thrown in.

Personally, I felt like it was hard to follow. Archaic, writing style, much not clear. I liked the parts with Dick and Joan, but felt like my attention wander through much of the tale. Dick had a good character, and I liked that he was written, flawed, young, human. Noble and true, but also made mistakes. Unlike GA Henty’s “perfect” hero (the stereotypical Gary Stu), Dick felt more real.

I wish I understood more about the rivalry between the white and red roses. The houses of York and Lancaster. (Brief summary below). Odd this tale so well loved. I know Robert Louis Stevenson for Kidnapped and Treasure Island. I thought it was interesting that the introduction (in a physical edition I have) marked it as second only to Ivanhoe, since that was one of the books I just listened to before this one. They did feel much in the same vein, I guess because they were written about similar time periods. (Ivanhoe is set in 1194, about 260 years before The Black Arrow).

“The Wars of the Roses were a series of battles that took place in England from 1455 to 1485. The fighting was between two families that claimed the right to the throne—the House of York and the House of Lancaster. They were called the Wars of the Roses because the symbol of each house was a rose. The House of York was represented by a white rose. The House of Lancaster was represented by a red rose.” - kids.britannica.com

Said to be second only to Ivanhoe! Tale for Boys…

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I enjoyed listening to this adventure/minor romance. The narration & overall production were good. I recommend this audio book.

Very Good Story

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