A Distant Hero: The Knightshill Saga, Volume Two

by Emma Drummond

Product Description In the second part of the Knightshill saga, Sir Gilliard's determination to continue the distinguished family line remains unshaken despite the interruptions of the Boer War and conflicts with his grandsons. From Publishers Weekly The Boer War competes for readers' attention with the more intimate psychological battles of the Ashleigh family in Drummond's sequel to A Question of Honour. Autocratic patriarch General Sir Gilliard Ashleigh ignores or deprecates his four remaining grandchildren while canonizing his lost heir, purported to have died a hero's death at Khartoum on his way to rescue General Gordon. The next eldest, Vere, an orchid-growing warrior-aesthete, wins fame both for his bravery on the battlefield and for his painting, but Vere's romantic temperament earns only his grandfather's scorn. The other three--brave young Valentine, accused unjustly of rape; passionate Margaret, who runs off with an Italian diplomat; loving Charlotte, who overcomes social prejudice and her shame over a deformed leg to marry a common man--fail to gain the old man's approval. Well-observed family dynamics, excellent pacing and effective changes of viewpoint characterize this chronicle of England's officer caste at the turn-of-the-century. Despite bits of purple prose and a few pat outcomes, this book should charm Drummond's growing readership. Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc. About the Author JENNIFER KAVANAGH author of bridge of 100 drogons AUTHOR BACKGROUND Emma Drummond was born into a larage army family. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong, where her father was stationed, and has travelled extensively from then on. Before her marriage she served as an officer in the WRAC. She has written ten previous novels, including A Question of Honour, Volume I of the Knightshill trilogy. Under the pen name Elizabeth Darrell, she is also the author of several historical sagas. She lives on the edge of the New Forest. From Library Journal Fans of Drummond may be delighted to see this sequel to A Question of Honour (LJ 7/92), but they will ultimately be disappointed by the cardboard characters who move stiffly through the story. The Ashleighs were a proud line of men with noble military backgrounds, but the current generation is not concerned with embellishing the family's military legend. Sir Gilliard, the patriarch, is appalled. His grandson Vorne is dead; Vere, heir apparent, is an artist; and Valentine disgraced the family altogether, first with an affair and then by joining the cavalry under an assumed name. His granddaughters have little to recommend them either. The maligned grandchildren try desperately to find happiness under the thumb of the embittered old man. Unfortunately, very little actually happens in this book. The lives of the grandchildren unfold before us, but actions and emotions are thrust on us without a frame of reference. The writing is stilted in many places, marred by choppy descriptions and dialog. Libraries can pass on this except where Drummond's other books are popular.?Jodi L. Israel, Norwood, Mass. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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