The Green Branch
Author: Edith Pargeter-also known as Ellis Peters
Publisher: Futura Publications, paperback, 285 pages
Reviewed by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson
Many may be familiar with and/or have read other Ellis Peters novels. I’ve read a couple of her Brother Cadfael novels, and found them interesting and engaging. However, unfortunately, I cannot say the same about The Green Branch. In comparison with the others, I found it rather disappointing.
The Green Branch is set mainly in a castle in Wales, and a castle in England. The story begins in 1228, and ends in 1231. The novel covers some of the political and military intrigue of the time, involving King Henry, and other princes and knights. However, the two main themes of the novel are about a blood-feud and the coming-of-age of the central protagonist, Harry Talvace.
Harry hates Ralf Isambard in the extreme, the English prince who killed Harry’s dad, who was a master-mason for Isambard. He would do anything and everything to kill him. Harry was adopted by Llewelyn, a Welsh prince.
Most of the novel describes Harry’s hatred of, and determination to take revenge on Isambard—even though Harry’s family try to counsel him otherwise on several occasions, they fail to convince him.
Did Harry succeed in taking revenge in order to “vindicate” or “honour” his dad’s death? Does Harry’s soul-wrenching, internal struggle lead him into a tragic, ambiguous or hopeful future? Read the novel to find out.
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