Hild: A Novel
Nicola Griffith
2013, 543 pages
Fiction
A good historical novel has a special magic that immerses the reader in another time. This novel, about the early life and times of St. Hilda of Whitby, does just that. The author interweaves facts about jewelry, textiles, languages, food, weapons, coins and poetry of 7th court intrigue through the eyes of a very perceptive child. The story begins when Hild is 3-years-old and her father is poisoned by his enemies. Her conniving mother ties the family’s fortune to Edwin Snakebeard, soon to be King. Hild becomes his seer at a very young age and must work to keep his favor, a not-so-easy task in a court pided between those who want power and those who have it. Old gods and Christianity influence the various factors in court, and warfare with those from other lands who want to rule England is never-ending. Details of everyday life help give the novel a sense of authenticity, even though very little is known about the real St. Hilda. The author includes a glossary to help with the four languages spoken in England at the time.
This is the first installment about St. Hilda and sure to be of interest to those who enjoy historical fiction. I am already looking forward to the next one.
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