Book Review: Northdale
Northdale. Robert L. Nelis. Create Space Independent Publishing, August 29, 2016, Trade Paperback and Kindle, 475 pages.
Reviewed by Ed Marohn.
Author Robert L. Nelis’s debut novel takes us back to the 11th century at the end of the Dark Ages. It is a tale of commoners, knights, nobles, and kings dealing with war, intrigue, violence, and a harsh life.
The protagonist is Sir Rupert, knighted during his four-year tour with King Henry and Prince Edward in France and the Low Countries of Europe.
Rupert first joins King Henry’s forces as a squire assigned to a nobleman and knight. Bravely leading a charge for his absent nobleman, he saves the day on the battlefield for King Henry’s forces and is subsequently knighted.
As the King’s forces return to England, Sir Rupert returns ahead of the main column to his home, Lincolnwood, the castle and estate that belong to his father, Lord Cuthbert. Although received with joy by his sister Mary and his parents, his elder brother Humphrey, who expects to become the new earl of Lincolnwood, has qualms about how the estate can afford to fund a knight.
The rivalry with Humphrey is just the beginning of the intrigue and conflict that Rupert will face before eventually being sent to the remote, impoverished earldom of Northdale. Here, where Sir Rupert faces Viking raids and villagers’ distrust as he attempts to create a progressive life for both men and women, is where the real story begins.
Readers will appreciate the author’s research of the era and the depth it adds to the narrative and dialogues, but will not become mired in the historical details. The characters evolve quickly, forming the basis for the many subplots woven into the narrative. Written in short-paragraph format with noticeable spacing to move the storyline, the book moves at a fast pace.
The author created many of the plot lines and characters while commuting to work in Chicago, producing an entertaining read many years in the making. For readers of historical fiction, particularly those interested in the Dark Ages, Northdale should satisfy.