Captives of Time [Hardcover]

Malcolm Bosse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1987

Orphaned by the brutal murder of their parents, Anne and her gentle but mute brother suffer great hardships as they travel across a dangerous, pestilence-ridden Europe to their uncle, an armorer and clockmaker, and, after his death, to a distant city to deliver the commissioned plans of his precious clock.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this stunning epic set in 14th centu ry Europe, a young woman helps build the first timepiece. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10 Time is the binding theme in this starkly imagined life in late medieval Europe. Sixteen-year-old Anne's Uncle Albrecht, an ex-monk, seeks to order time as if thus to ascertain the mind of God. But rival forcesa duke, the church, and the town merchantsalso seek control of this new power image, the clock, amid social upheavals of laborers, marauding soldiers, outbreaks of plaguetimes of casual brutality, rape. Anne narrates this three-year account (her mute younger brother and his ever-present pet rabbit her companion and foil), from the horrendous opening scenes of her parents' murder, to a future made hopeful through her clockmaking experience. There are wonderful minor characters, such as a crazed Knight Templar and a Jew who finds temporary refuge as a copyist. Although some characters are introduced or events staged to present special information (e.g., knighthood, taxation, housekeeping practices), the crafting is so good and the writing so vivid that readers will be grateful. There are a few sunny spotsice skating and delight in a spring day after being plague-bound, but the overall atmosphere evoked is somber and symbolic. Ruth M. McConnell, San Antonio Public Library
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (September 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440502276
• ISBN-13: 978-0440502272
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,510,445 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Attention Grabber, March 17, 2000

By 

N. Ekdahl (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Captives of Time (Hardcover)

Captives in Time is about a girl named Anne and her brother Niklas who overcome many obstacles to be successful by building a clock.I thought this was a good book because two siblings overcame great obstacles in order to be successful.I also thought it was a good book because things happened right away and grabbed your attention immediately.This book would be good to someone who enjoys a book with a middle ages theme.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A tragic story during the Medieval Europe, April 29, 2000

By 

"maxsteel" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Captives of Time (Hardcover)

"CAPTIVES OF TIME," is a well written story by Malcolm Bosse for it will certainly make your attention captive right from the beginning where Anne Valens and her young brother Niklas Valens witness their parents murder. To the disobedience of her uncle Albrecht of building the clock, which he believed was the gift from God to the people. And as a result lead to the first female clock named Anne Valens. This story is full of emotions and events that will make you forget about sleeping until you are done reading the whole book.