Blood Feud

This is another beautifully written historical novel by one of the greatest exponents of the genre in the 20th century. This one concerns a half Saxon, half Cornish boy Jestyn. He leaves home after his mother dies when he is 12 and his stepfather casts him out. After spending some time learning the ways of looking after cows, he loses his way in a storm and is captured by Vikings and sold as a slave. He is bought by a band of Norseman as a personal thrall; however, after saving his master Thormod's life in a fight in Dublin, they become blood brothers and Jestyn joins Thormod's feud to avenge his father's murder at the hand of two brothers. This journey takes him across Europe to Constantinople where his band of Northmen becomes part of show more the Byzantine Emperor's Varangian guard (as did the famous historical Norse king Harald Hardrada, King Harold II of England's victim at the Battle of Stamford Bridge). He eventually settles in the city and becomes apprentice to a physician and marries his daughter. A lot happens in this fairly short novel and I enjoyed it, though I found it less totally absorbing than most of her others I've read ...perhaps a bit too much happened and it seemed in a way like a summary of Jestyn's life rather than a fully engrossing novel. show less

Blood Feud by Rosemary Sutcliff is a children’s historical fiction novel that was originally published in 1976. This is a story of Jestyn, a young Englishman who is captured by Vikings and sold into slavery. His master, Thormod, becomes his friend, frees him and eventually becomes his blood brother. The two travel together and end up in Constantinople as members of the Emperor’s elite Varangian Guard. Thormod became embroiled in a blood feud to avenge his father’s death, and Jestyn, not truly realizing the consequences takes up the feud as well. It is the feud that directs the lives of both these young men.

Sutcliff excelled at writing good stories filled with accurate historical and cultural context. In Blood Feud she brings to show more life the conflicts and politics of the Byzantine empire. This is a tale of conflicting loyalties, adventure and of learning to be true to oneself.

Blood Feud is a fine example of Rosemary Sutcliff’s work and although slightly dated, this was still a story that was interesting and thought-provoking. I credit this author with my love of historical fiction and I am glad that her books are still available. show less

Delightful novel of two young men [one English, one Viking] who become blood brothers and travel with a shipload of Vikings to Kiev in Rus, thence to Byzantium when they become part of the newly-formed Varangian Guard to the Byzantine emperor. A blood feud hangs over all. The very poignant story tells us how the blood feud is finally resolved. Sutcliff's usual gentle, sensitive writing brings this era to life with unforgettable characters, with its themes of loyalty and friendship.

For a review, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2016/07/27/blood-feud-rosemary-sutcliff/