Simon

by Rosemary Sutcliff

It had never seemed of much importance during their boyhood that Simon Carey was for Parliament and his friend Amias Hannaford a Royalist. But when the Civi War between the two parties broke out, and two years later they were old enough to take part in it, they found themselves fighting for different sides.

This story tells of the last stages of the Civil War waged in the west country; and the account of the part played by Simon in the fighting makes exciting reading. Several times in the course of it he encounters Amias ; and these meetings leave him torn by conflicting loyalties. Finally the day comes when he is forced to put the strength of the friendship to the test, weighing it against his loyalty to the Parliamentarian cause.

Rosemary Sutcliffe has written a compelling and unbiased story of the troubled times of the civil war, describing vividly and accurately the final campaign in the west and sharing the life and thoughts and feelings of some of the people who became involved in it.

"Here is an author who writes with great distinction...Simon is a book that I recommend with all my heart" - Noel Streatfield

Genres: Historical Fiction, 17th Century, Historical, Childrens, Fiction

257 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Rosemary Sutcliff, CBE (1920-1992) was a British novelist, best known as a writer of highly acclaimed historical fiction. Although primarily a children's author, the quality and depth of her writing also appeals to adults. She once commented that she wrote "for children of all ages, from nine to ninety."

Born in West Clandon, Surrey, Sutcliff spent her early youth in Malta and other naval bases where her father was stationed as a naval officer. She contracted Still's Disease when she was very young and was confined to a wheelchair for most of her life. Due to her chronic sickness, she spent the majority of her time with her mother, a tireless storyteller, from whom she learned many of the Celtic and Saxon legends that she would later expand into works of historical fiction. Her early schooling being continually interrupted by moving house and her disabling condition, Sutcliff didn't learn to read until she was nine, and left school at fourteen to enter the Bideford Art School, which she attended for three years, graduating from the General Art Course. She then worked as a painter of miniatures.

Rosemary Sutcliff began her career as a writer in 1950 with The Chronicles of Robin Hood. She found her voice when she wrote The Eagle of the Ninth in 1954. In 1959, she won the Carnegie Medal for The Lantern Bearers and was runner-up in 1972 with Tristan and Iseult. In 1974 she was highly commended for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Her The Mark of the Horse Lord won the first Phoenix Award in 1985.

Sutcliff lived for many years in Walberton near Arundel, Sussex. In 1975 she was appointed OBE for services to Children's Literature and promoted to CBE in 1992. She wrote incessantly throughout her life, and was still writing on the morning of her death. She never married.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/rosema...

Reviews

[Abigail Hartman · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the first part of "Simon" I didn't enjoy it as much as some of Sutcliff's other works; it was more difficult, I thought, to get into the main character and to feel the events of the English Civil War. However, when I got to the last few chapters I had no desire to put the book down - and the ending was all I could have wished for. (Yay, a Sutcliff book with a happy ending!) Because it is such a short book, the thrust of it is not really the war, but the effects of the war on a single friendship. Still, it does give a glimpse into what England looked like at the time. I appreciated that Sutcliff stayed clear, for the most part, of the final struggle and the eventual execution of the King.

There are three things I particularly like about Sutcliff's writing, and they all came into play in this novel. First is her descriptions, her grasp of the little things in life that make moments stand out, her turns of phrase that make the reader look at a common thing in a different light. Second is her strong friendships (there are definite similarities between Simon and Amias, and Justin and Flavius from The Silver Branch). And third would be her quiet romances. I know some people don't care for this trick of hers; I saw a review of The Eagle of the Ninth where the reader didn't think Marcus and Cottia were actually in love. But I personally find it refreshing that Sutcliff portrays love as a homey, comfortable thing - something that ties the main character to home. There's wisdom in that.

[Lyn Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosemary Sutcliff had a brilliant knack of writing adventure stories set in historical periods and making them come alive. Her active characters are nearly all boys or young men, but as a 10 year old girl I was right there with Marcus in Roman Britain and have enjoyed re-reading the classic Eagle of the Ninth and its successors since as an adult.
A friend of similar age recommended Simon to me - she said it was one of her all time favourite books. She lent me her own prized old copy, a real treasure.
I enjoyed the story, appreciated the quality of Sutcliff's writing and her great ability to bring to life a range of characters and events from the past, in this case the English Civil War. I admire the way she dealt with the difficult and different strands of belief and expediency that led to that conflict and changed English government and politics for ever.
Memorable.

[Katharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I last read this book when I was about 8 and remembered more or less nothing about it apart from the ending. This is the novel where Sutcliff really hits her stride as a historical novelist. The beautiful nature writing was there in the early books but this one deals with much more difficult topics that she returned to again and again, loyalty, friendship, coming of age, war. Unlike most of her later books this is set against the vividly realised background of the English Civil War, particularly as it was fought in the West Country, and the bitter divisions it created between friends. It is a delight to return to her work and find less well known gems like this book.

[Malana Rei · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it so much… what more can someone say on a Sutcliff novel? Her stunning storytelling and life-breathing prose strikes again. ‘Twas simple and meaningful all in one. From the wonderful characters to the so-good-I-can-see-it description, it’s effortlessly masterful. I was genuinely happy and frightened, and couldn’t help gasps of delight or relief at different parts.

(I also loved that it takes place mostly in Devon and Cornwall; it was very neat to recognise and imagine places ;) )

Probably my new favourite Rosemary Sutcliff book :D

[imngrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the influx of very disappointing novels set amidst the tumultuous events of the English Civil War, this novel by RS (first published in 1953)stands out as one of the few novels that does not disappoint.

I had read some of the Sutcliff novels as a child but not as rapaciously as some people and the one that has actually stuck in my mind was Flowers of Adonis about Alcibiades.

However, the English Civil War is an interest of mine and having recently discovered this one, I was delighted with it. It does not fall into the mire that so many of the modern "adult" novels do by trying to incorporate too many of the events and historically well-known people. It focuses on the life before the civil war of a teenage boy, the events and action which he is personally involved in when he joins the New Model Army and how it affects his family and personal relationships.

Although seen mostly from the Parliamentary side, it is not unbalanced and shows how two boys from not too completey different backgrounds chose to support different sides in the dispute but are able in the end to regain their friendship.

[Hallie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not precisely the quickest-paced of her books, but Rosemary Sutcliff could write the clash of different groups as well as anyone doing historical fiction for children, and this is a wonderful example. There are nuanced characters on both sides of the Civil War, and the beliefs of both sides are shown fairly. (Might have been fun if the sober Simon had been on the Royalist side, and the dashing Amais had been the Parliamentarian, but that might have been a bit too far.) We got the opinion of an academic who's a real expert in the Civil War era, and he said the portrait of Cromwell sounded absolutely accurate.

[CLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review: http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/202...

Enormously enjoyed this book, which I suspect was never published in the US. Perhaps someone at OUP didn't think American children could handle the English Civil War?

[Lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all time favorite books. In the midst of the British Civil War, two friends live out their own quiet drama of betrayal, acceptance, understanding, and finally reconciliation. Beautifully written, and heart-breakingly poignant.

[John Bowis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book for the younger reader but still enjoyed by older ones. It concerns two teenagers at the time of the English Civil War. Simon and his family support Parliament and Amias and his back the King. We largely follow Simon but his friendship with Amias figures from time to time and is the driver of the final chapters.
This is not a blow by blow account of the war strategies and actions but it brings to life the impact of civil war on its participants - and the impervious lives of non-combatants trying to lead normal lives particularly in rural areas and worried about their crops being flattened and their livestock stolen.
We have heroes and villains, loyalists and betrayers and advantage takers and selfless saviours as we race through the story, benefiting from subliminal education about England (particularly the West country) and lifestyles impacted by the fighting and damaged by it or learning from it.

[Evan Þ. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rosemary Sutcliff, who usually writes historical novels about Roman and post-Roman Britain, goes out of her normal topic area to write this children's historical novel about the English Civil War. Our young protagonist Simon joins the Parliamentary army; his best friend Amias joins the King's army. The book is as slow-paced as normal for Sutcliff, without as much reveling in the British countryside. Instead, we get an exploration of friendship in the middle of war - both Simon's finding companions in the army, and Simon's dealing with conflicting loyalties to his army and to his friends.

It's a decent book, which some kids might enjoy, but nothing I'd recommend to adults who don't already love Sutcliff.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

One part of this is the story of being a soldier during the English civil war; the other part is the story of the friendship between two boys who end up fighting on opposite sides. My vague memories from long ago history classes didn’t give me much about why these two sides (parliamentarians and royalists) are fighting and nothing here it made it any clearer for me, but that was okay because the boys didn’t seem to know what the fight was about either. Sutcliff wrote better historical novels, but this a good coming of age story.

[Lynn Parr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant story, with all the historical detail you expect from Rosemary Sutcliff. She really brings the English Civil War to life, focusing on how it affected ordinary people, not just King Charles and Oliver Cromwell. Her observational writing is just beautiful, too.

[Bernadette Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. I'm so glad I found it again.
I first read it about 55 years ago.

[liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the whole atmosphere of this book. It's quite understated and doesn't go over into romance, but the historical detail is so good and sensory.

[Doodles McC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good history book for young girls. I loved Sutcliff's historical novels as a child and young teenager, she was one of my favourite authors. I am not going review them all individually because all her books are good. If your looking for children's historical novels, just start at the beginning of her books and read them all. This is how I learned British history.

[Margareth8537 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully portrayed depiction of two friends separated by beliefs but able to maintain that friendship

[Marko]

I have the german edition.