Black Arrow - A Tale of the Two Roses

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 to 1894) is best known for Treasure Island, Kidnapped and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The Black Arrow, published in 1888 as a book, belongs to his adventures for younger readers, though it has been enjoyed by adults for generations. Its subtitle, A Tale of the Two Roses, refers to the long dynastic struggle between the houses of Lancaster and York that shaped England in the fifteenth century.

The story follows Richard Shelton, known as Dick, as he moves through an unsettled country. Archers hide in the woods, powerful men change allegiance, and a young man must decide what he owes to his guardian, to his friends and to the memory of his father. Stevenson uses the tradition of the outlaw tale and the historical romance, and he handles it with energy and a sense of fun.

The recording has thirty-three chapters, beginning with a prologue, and runs just over eight hours. The volunteers of LibriVox bring out the dialogue, the humor and the suspense of the original. The book is a good choice for listeners who like swordplay and secret messages, as well as for those who would like a lively way into a complicated period of English history. It is a book to be heard in long sessions, with a good cup of tea. It is a story that moves along quickly, with short scenes and clear stakes, which makes it a good choice for those who want a historical adventure without too much background reading. The volunteers who read it help to distinguish its many characters, from soldiers to outlaws and from knights to servants.