Madeleine A. Polland (1918–2005)
Author of Beorn the Proud
About the Author
Works by Madeleine A. Polland
The Town Across the Water 7 copies
Minutes of a Murder 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1918-05-31
- Date of death
- 2005
- Gender
- female
- Occupations
- children's book author
historical novelist - Short biography
- Madeleine Polland, née Cahill, was born in the south of Ireland and experienced the turmoil of the Irish Rebellion in the early 1920s, before her father moved the family to England. As a young adult, she got a job at the local library, and helped rebuild its book collection. During World War II, she enlisted in the British military and served at a radar installation. In 1946, she married Arthur Polland, with whom she had two children who provided inspiration for various of her books. Her first published work was Children of the Red King (1960), followed by Beorn the Proud (1961) and many more popular historical novels for children and young adults. She traveled to nearly all the places she wrote about to gain insights and understanding, giving her books depth and authenticity.
- Nationality
- Ireland
- Associated Place (for map)
- Ireland
Members
Reviews
The coast of Ireland in the 9th century is the prey of Viking marauders. Young Ness has been taken captive by Beorn, on his first raiding trip with his father's band of warriors. She must accompany them as they make their way back to Denmark, and so experiences the dangerous tensions and misfortunes that threaten the entire fleet. Her faith in the Christian God - ridiculed by Beorn - helps sustain her during her captivity. But Beorn grows ever prouder and disaster threatens to sweep him, and show more Ness, away. show less
In a summer dawn of 1583, after months of waiting on the island Macao, Father Matteo Ricci, dressed in the robes of a Chinese holy man, set foot at last on the mainland of China.
"Mission to Cathay" is the story of the first Western Christian missionary to enter mainland China, a man whose creative methods broke down formerly impregnable cultural walls and foreshadowed the work of countless men and women who followed.
Father Ricci, his mission, and the people he touched come alive in the rich show more tapestry of this masterful work of historical fiction. show less
"Mission to Cathay" is the story of the first Western Christian missionary to enter mainland China, a man whose creative methods broke down formerly impregnable cultural walls and foreshadowed the work of countless men and women who followed.
Father Ricci, his mission, and the people he touched come alive in the rich show more tapestry of this masterful work of historical fiction. show less
This one basically is a fictionalized account of the arrival of St. Patrick in Ireland in A.D. 432. For those who don't know the tradition, Patrick was a British lad who was kidnapped, taken to Ireland and enslaved there. After a number of years he escaped, but then later returned to bring his faith to the Irish people. His return is where the book begins and how he's accepted, or not, fills out the tale. It's an enjoyable read, though Ms. Polland seems to take pains to explain away any show more supernatural element of the traditional accounts. Despite that small distraction though, it made for a nice way to fill an afternoon.
--J. show less
--J. show less
It is the year 1209 and time for gathering of the clan at the fort of the Red King of Connacht. The Irish nobles are to choose between Fergus, the King's son and Felim, the King's brother, for the heir to the throne. But Fergus is missing, trapped within the monastery at Athenmore by a surprise advance of the Norman enemy. And Felim is secretly plotting to overthrow the King . . .
So begins the griping story of the children of Cormac the Red King of Connacht, Grania and Fergus, whose show more courage, devotion to honor, and ingenuity in the face of great trials win them the respect of Irish and Norman alike. show less
So begins the griping story of the children of Cormac the Red King of Connacht, Grania and Fergus, whose show more courage, devotion to honor, and ingenuity in the face of great trials win them the respect of Irish and Norman alike. show less
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Statistics
- Works
- 30
- Members
- 1,948
- Popularity
- #13,209
- Rating
- 3.7
- Reviews
- 10
- ISBNs
- 64
- Languages
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- Favorited
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