A Swarm in May

I read this as a child many years ago, and have got far more out of it as an adult. The descriptions of the inside of the cathedral are very realistic, and you share choirboy John Owen's journey from uncertainty and rejection of his allotted task to his growing confidence and maturity as he finds he can do this and much more. But even in the 1950s surely small boys would not have been expected to carry their own heavy suitcase trunks along a narrow walkway high above the cathedral nave, with no handrail......? The sense of yawning architectural space and height is like William Golding's "The Spire".

Interesting look inside a boys boarding school. I was glad that John found the importance of the task of Beekeeper and a way to fulfill his responsibility. Fascinating adventures and a good group of kids. I really liked the illustration. Nice pen and ink drawings of each character. They really brought the book to life.

This was probably a great book when it was published in 1955 but in 2010 the story of a choir boy who is reluctant to take up the ceremonial position of beekeeper is too slight to survive the weight of outdated language and obscure customs. I can't see this book appealing to modern children.

Two recurring themes in Mayne's work appear here: History is everywhere. Legends may be true.