Customer Reviews

The Unicorn Road

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The Unicorn Road covers a tremendous amount of story in a slim volume. It draws on many of the myths and motifs of the thirteenth century. Fabulous beasts as portrayed in the bestiaries at the time. Unicorns and basilisks, still thought to exist in far off lands beyond the Silk Road. The mythical land of Prester John. The treasure of the Cathars. The secret writings of Oriental women. The tale starts out as one about a scholar, sent by Manfred of Sicily to find rare beasts mentioned in the bestiaries, and bring them back, so that Manfred can present them to the Pope and get said pope off his back. But as the narrative progresses and the party arrives in what is now modern day China, the reader becomes aware of layers within layers, within layers. Language and communication play a huge part in this novel which explores the ways in which people selectively express themselves to others. The character of Venn the interpreter is particularly important in this respect, and was my favourite personality in the novel.
The writing while spare, manages to be flowing and lyrical at the same time. The ending is entirely satisfying, but leaves you with a certain feeling of tender sorrow.

There is so much poor historical fiction , that it is a shame this book didn't get more play in the US. It is wonderful, literary , suspenseful, all in the tradition of "Jacob DeZoat" and "Sea of Poppies", Amazon get it on Kindle and push it , shouldn't be missed.

Love all of his books, but am still looking for more of Mrs. Hudson! Cheers!