The Shining Company [Library Binding]

Rosemary Sutcliff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 18, 2008

Life is secure and peaceful for young Prosper, second son of Gerontius, until the day Prince Gorthyn arrives with his hunting party. Prosper's unusual daring in the hunt catches the prince's attention, and he promises to make Prosper his shield-bearer when he comes of age. Two years later, three hundred princes are summoned to the king's fortress at Dyn Eidin, where they will prepare to fight the Saxon forces which are gaining strength in the east. Prosper, with Conn, his bondservant, leaves his father's lands to join Gorthyn in the rigorous training for battle. With the coming of spring, word reaches the Three Hundred Companions that the Saxon leader has taken yet another kingdom. They set out at once for the Saxon stronghold of Catraeth, where Prosper must face the greatest challenges of his life.
Adventure and heroism against impossible odds create a moving, robust tale set in Britain in the eighth century and based on actual events.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Britain in 600 A.D. forms a vibrant backdrop for this gripping action-adventure tale concerning the son of a feudal chieftain. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 & Up--Rosemary Sutcliffe based this novel (FS&G, pap. 1992) on a seventh century poet's account of Lowlander King Mynydogg's dispatch of 300 warriors in defense against Saxon invaders from the south. Prosper, the second son of a local lord and in new and uncomfortable possession of a body servant, meets his future in that Shining Company of warriors when he helps divert hunters from overtaking a white stag, Another who helps to preserve that creature's life is Prince Gorthyn, Mynydogg's son. Gorthyn remembers Prosper as the Company is gathered and sends for him as his second shield bearer; Conn, Prosper's own servant, accompanies him. Both boys find a way for Conn to learn the trade that truly speaks to him blacksmithing and through which he will be able to buy his freedom. Conn's interest in the forge and Prosper's in the life of the warrior were both whetted by a chance sighting of a splendid dagger. This tool, artifact, and symbol is neatly threaded through the tale as it moves from the Shining Company's gathering strength, through bloody battles, to its eventual diminution to a single man, and that warrior's invitation to an older, wiser, and yet eager Prosper to accompany him to Constantinople. Johanna Ward reads this epic quietly, as one might unfold a legend with which listeners have some familiarity. This style will have more appeal to those who are coming to the recording with a sense of the long border wars between the ancients who inhabited the area that is now Edinburgh and the north of Britain, than to those who expect to hear all the sounds of excited battle. The CD cues every three minutes, but those tracks are without regard to chapter breaks.
Francisca Goldsmith. Berkeley Public Library, CA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Library Binding: 295 pages
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 143524589X
• ISBN-13: 978-1435245891
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,567,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rosemary Sutcliff wrote more than 40 historical novels for young adults-including The Eagle of the Ninth, The Silver Branch, The Lantern Bearers, The Sword and the Circle, and Black Ships Before Troy-five adult novels, and several books of nonfiction.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars They were real people from a real time..., April 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Shining Company (Sunburst Book) (Paperback)

I got this book for my 7th grade son who is studying Medieval times at school. When I scanned the first few pages and found references to the Spartans at Thermopylae (I'm a Greek history buff), I started reading in earnest--and didn't stop. The author creates characters that are achingly real, involved in compelling situations that breathe life into ancient history. This is the best kind of historical novel; one that builds a realistic world that reveals culture and creates a "feel" so that you can understand it.

The people in this book seem very alive. They act consistently with the natures the author has created for them, and they are people one would want to know. Their way of speaking, customs, clothing, food, names--everything is couched in an impressive amount of historical detail that is soaked up by the reader without apparent effort.

I enjoyed this "juvenile" book thoroughly. I would have devoured Ms Sutcliff's books if I had found them younger, and--since the best children's books can hold their own with the best adult books--I will enjoy devouring them now!

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I just picked it up today but am still reading, March 28, 2003

By 

Christiane N. Hulet "Tiane" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shining Company (Sunburst Book) (Paperback)

Good books need lots of great reviews to persuade converts. =) I picked this up as Celtic/medieval literature for a college class and wondered whether this "juvenile" book would contain enough depth, but found myself immediately intrigued. Sutcliff's writing is consistently true to the era she portrays, and is often poetic, as well. The characters are refreshingly real; I care more about their development as individuals than how the battles will turn out. So far, I'm totally happy to rate this book 5 stars. I can't wait to finish it!

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Shining Company, March 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Shining Company (Sunburst Book) (Paperback)

As I was reading The Shining Company I was thinking this is the best adventure book I ever read. I also couldn't keep my eyes off it and a number of times my teacher kept telling me to put the book down and pay attention. At first I didn't want to read it but I did and it got better and better until I couldn't stop reading it. It's also the first Rosemary Sutcliff I've ever read and I will probably read more.