AFTON OF MARGATE CASTLE
By Angela Elwell Hunt
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
This is the first book in The Theyn Chronicles.
Book Two is called The Trobadours Quest
Book Three is called Ingram of the Irish
REVIEW
by Miriam Bartlett
This is an excellent book. It is set in the 1100's AD, a time about which
very few Christian novels are written. Afton is mostly set in England
around the lives of the inhabitants of Margate Castle and it's surrounds.
There is also a portion of the book devoted to characters that travel to the
Crusades.
The story begins with Afton, an adventurous eight year old who spends most
of her time caring for her five younger brothers. Afton, however is a
villein (common villager) and that means that she has no rights so when
the families sheep dies and the rent (a lamb) cannot be paid the Lady of
Margate Castle (Endeline) decides that she wants Afton in place of the lamb.
This story shows how money and power can be used to exploit those who are
poor. Afton has no rights and Endeline uses this to her advantage, doing
with Afton what she wishes. When Afton is 13 she is married by Endeline's
orders to a man who is over 50. This is a distressing story in parts, but
it does closely mirror the lives of women all over the world in third world
countries where they have no rights. Although set nearly 900 years ago, it
does truly mirror modern life. Afton is just a girl that must go throught
particular situations to help her to grow emotionally and spiritually.
I thoroughly recommend this book, but I think that it would be wise to
restrict it to people over 16 (or even perhaps 18).
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Created: Monday 11th September 1996
Last Updated:Saturday 9th August 1997 12noon AEST
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