Customer Reviews

Augustine Came to Kent (Living History Library)

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4 star:		(1)
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This book centres around Wolf, a boy whose father was a Briton, brought to Rome as a slave in the 6th century, and set free by Pope Gregory. Pope Gregory had a concern for the propagation of the Gospel among the "heathen" Saxons in Britain, so he sent a group of monks, led by Augustine, to Britain. Wolf and his father go with them. They land there in 597, and the story follows Wolf as he returns to the land of his fathers, and as the Gospel is preached in Kent. My children, aged 7 - 13 enjoyed this story being read to them, and it really complemented our study of the time period.

If you want to experience the anticipation, fear of the unknown, the dangers, trials and frailty of men who are attempting overseas missions in a pagan land, as well as the day to day life during the late 500's, early 600's A.D., then this is an engaging and well-written story for you. It is detailed without being overly wordy or lengthy. A quick, enjoyable and educational read.

I really liked this book. My favorite character was Wolf. I liked the ending part best where something happens to Wolf and Fritha, but you'll have to read the book to find out how it ends. When we started to read it, it became interesting, so I listened and liked the whole thing.

When I first saw this book, I thought, "Wait, when did Saint Augustine go to Kent? I thought he had lived his whole life in Africa and Italy." Well, more fool me! This book is a fictional account of the mission of that other historical Saint Augustine to re-convert Britain to Christianity in the late 6th century.

The story follows the life of Wolfstan, who arrives in Rome a captive from England. Sold on the slave market, he is spotted by Pope Saint Gregory the Great, who when told Wolfstan and his companion are Angles, remarks famously, "Not Angles, but Angels!" Wolfstan becomes a ward of Saint Gregory, marries, and has a son---Wolf. But he always feels a call to return to his homeland. When Saint Gregory calls for a mission to England to be led by the abbot Augustine, Wolfstan and Wolf are eager to brave the perils of the long journey and bring a new birth of Christianity to pagan England.

I found this book to be a good mix of history and fiction where momentous events are related through the eyes of a minor player--Wolfstan's son, Wolf. The characters are likable and sympathetic, if not terribly colorful. The story flows well and is easily approachable for young readers ages 9 and up. As such, it is a good introduction to a period of the dark ages of which many (your reviewer included) are ignorant. My only quibble is that I wish the story had more narrative drive. There is action, but it always seems to happen "off camera" to be related later. That aside, I think there is enough happening to hold young readers' attention, particularly girls who may be more in tune with the developing relationships between the characters.

"The year is A.D. 597. Across the dark sea the shores of England loom shadowy and strange. The journey from Rome to Kent is about to end, and a great battle is soon to begin. Whatever the outcome, young Wolf has made up his mind to see it and serve the leader of Pope Gregory's long-planned mission to England, Father Augustine, In a story full of adventure, Wolf meets Fritha, a Saxon girl whose life and destiny are soon entangled with his own. At Canterbury, the old Roman city, Fritha and her father become Augustine's first Christian converts. In anger, neighbors burn their farm and Fritha barely escapes to find Wolf in the village of his ancestors. There the account of two bold young people reaches a surprising climax. And in the once pagan city King Ethelbert of Kent is baptized and Augustine is proclaimed as the Archbishop of Canterbury." by Barbara Willard.