Duncton Wood

William Horwood

Jan 2017 · The Duncton Chronicles Book 1 · Canelo

About this ebook

  The epic first novel in the allegorical fantasy series about the romance and adventures of a community of moles is “a breathtaking achievement” (The Washington Post).
 
The moles of Duncton Wood live in the shadow of Mandrake, a cruel tyrant corrupted by absolute power. A solitary young mole, Bracken, leads the fight to free them. Only by putting his trust in the ancient Stone, a forgotten symbol of a great spiritual past, can Bracken find the strength to challenge Mandrake’s darkness.

When Bracken falls in love with Rebecca, Mandrake’s daughter, the moles must make life and death choices as their extraordinary search for freedom and truth begins.

Together, Bracken and Rebecca will embark on moving journey that will challenge them in ways they could never have imagined. But can they save Duncton before it’s too late?

“A passionate, lyrical, appealing tale . . . Consistently absorbing . . . Enchanting.” —Cosmopolitan

“A great big mole-epic with a great big theme.” —Daily Mail

Ratings and reviews

Joseph Campbell would be pleased. Myth, culture, religion, heroic quest, danger, meditative practice, monasticism, evil antagonists, boon companions and romantic adventure; it's all here. Everything but a score by John Williams or Erich Wolfgang Korngold. ;-)

I read this as a child and more recently in my 40s. It is beautifully written, the landscape and nature described in such a way that it transports you to Duncton Wood. The story is captivating, emotional and brutal. Not for children BTW. My only criticism is that there is an element of men-writing-women, but it still deserves the 5 stars IMO.

Without doubt my favourite book...!!

About the author

William Horwood is an English novelist. He grew up on the East Kent coast, primarily in Deal, within a model modern family—fractious with "parental separation, secret illegitimacy, alcoholism and genteel poverty".