Strongbow

October 15, 1993
Gr. 9-12. A well-treated story of a medieval couple, Aoife (Red Eva) MacMurrough, an Irish princess, and Richard (Strongbow) de Clare, a Norman knight. The characters are real, resurrected by Llywelyn's lively art, and lead lives compatible with the times--sometimes lovely, sometimes violent. The two principals take turns--in alternate chapters--telling their stories. The style is reminiscent of E. L. Konigsburg and an effective means of introducing youth to the Middle Ages. Readers will gather a good knowledge of Irish history while following the excitement of early Irish politics and warfare; Ireland is not given much space in medieval studies, so this novel contributes to a more complete picture of that era. The love between Aoife and Richard is wonderfully free of saccharinity but tender in its realism. The progress of the plot features their adaptation to invasion and other external events while preserving their dignity and sensitivity as persons. ((Reviewed Oct. 15, 1993))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1993, American Library Association.)