Lady for Ransom [Hardcover]

Alfred Duggan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1971

From “one of the best literary novelists of this century” (Times Literary Supplement) comes a fascinating novel set in the twilight of the Byzantine Empire. Through the tale of the ruthless nobleman, Roussel de Balliol, his wife Lady Matilda, and Roger—attached to Balliol’s force—we receive a vivid and vital picture of 11th-century life. “An extremely gifted writer who can move into an unknown period and give it life and immediacy.”—New York Times.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alfred Duggan was born in Argentina in 1903. He was educated at Eton College and Oxford. He worked for the British Natural History Museum collecting specimens and travelled extensively pursuing his job for the museum. From 1938-1941, when he was discharged as medically unfit, he served in the London Irish Rifles and saw active service in Norway. His first book was published in 1950. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Imprint unknown; New impression edition (December 1971)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0432034412
• ISBN-13: 978-0432034415
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Byzantine Student, January 7, 2010

By 

A Reader "A reader" (Herndon, VA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Lady for Ransom (Phoenix Press) (Paperback)

This is probably the most historically accurate novel that I have read that takes place in Constantinople/the Byzantine Empire. The story was pretty good, but not great. I don't think I have read any of Alfred Dugan's other books, so I am not sure if he writes this way in all of his books, but his style of writing was vaguely reminiscent of Anna Comnena's "Alexiad". However, I could not quite figure out what the title had to do with the story since the main female character was not held for ransom, although her husband was.

Anyway, there aren't a lot of historical novels out there that are set in the Byzantine Empire, but this one was wonderfully accurate when compared to a couple of others that I have recently read, Michael Ennis' laughably stupid "Byzantium" and Cecelia Holland's "Belt of Gold" which was ok (way better than "Byzantium") but not as good as this.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another fine effort, November 26, 2009

By 

T. J. Miller (AUCKLAND 1310 New Zealand) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Lady for Ransom (Phoenix Press) (Paperback)

I do like Alfred Duggan. This one is about a Norman knight Roussel de Balliol serving as a mercenary in Constantinople. I very good book tightly written as ever by Duggan with no superfluous writing but leaving no doubts to the imagination about the conditions being described.