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Robert- Historical Novel Society, Online Review: Taking influence from the Old English poem Wulf and Eadwacer (to name but one) and ancient sources such as Bede, P. M. Sabin Moore weaves an enthralling tale of love, hardship and betrayal set against the background of the court of the late 6th and early 7th century kings of the East Angles in her debut novel, Storm Frost. Pauline’s knowledge of and enthusiasm for the early Anglo-Saxons and the site of the burials at Sutton Hoo is evident here as she gives a possible account of a split in the royal family caused by two princes’ love for the same woman. Unusual for historical literature Storm Frost features a female in the lead role and follows her trials and tribulations following the discovery of her relationship with her husband’s brother. Unloved by her father, king of Wedresfeld, and unwanted by her stepmother, Niartha is pledged in a marriage of political alliance to tie her father’s kingdom to that of the East Angles. However, though betrothed to the initially unsympathetic character of Raedwald, Niartha instead falls in love with his elder brother, Eni Wulfgrim – the Wulf of the poem. On the discovery of their relationship, Eni is exiled to an island off the coast of Northumbria while, deserted by Raedwald, Niartha is banished in lieu of being sacrificed to honour the death of her father – his death caused by Niartha’s betrayal according to his second wife and queen. Hoping to find Eni in his exile, Niartha is pursued north by Raedwald’s henchman, Eadwacer, who is also attracted to Niartha. Struggling on her own in a hostile world, Niartha is driven by her hope of being reunited with Eni Wulfgrim. It is when she realises she is carrying a child that the heroine becomes the mysterious voice of Wulf and Eadwacer. Mixing an intimate knowledge of the ancient sources and the rites of the early English, P.M.Sabin Moore has written a fast-paced account of what those sources may have omitted and has given us her take on the origins of the period of instability at the head of the Wuffinga dynasty that surely deserves a sequel. by e-mail: ‘Storm Frost’ sent me seeking out my “Anglo-Saxon Verse” – the first time for 50 years - to find the poems. I must say how well you handled the very different sex scenes. One always wonders how one would set about that, but you did it so well, from joyful love, to rape, to ‘accidental’, with nothing to make the reader squirm with embarrassment or feel one had just looked up a gynaecological treatise. You must have learnt so much about Anglo-Saxon customs and ways of life. Don’t say it all came from taking people round Sutton Hoo! Either you have read immensely round the subject or you got far more from the Old English part of our degree course syllabus than some of us did. (Diana) |
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