Robert Louis Stevenson

The Black Arrow: A Tale of the Two Roses (eBook, ePUB)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

T he Black Arrow: A Tale of the Two Roses is an 1888 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. It is both a historical adventure novel and a romance novel. It first appeared as a serial in 1883 with the subtitle "A Tale of Tunstall Forest" beginning in Young Folks; A Boys' and Girls' Paper of Instructive and Entertaining Literature, vol. XXII, no. 656 (Saturday, 30 June 1883) and ending in vol. XXIII, no. 672 (Saturday, 20 October 1883) —Stevenson had finished writing it by the end of summer.

It was printed under the pseudonym Captain George North. He alludes to the time gap between the serialisation and the publication as one volume in 1888 in his preface "Critic [parodying Dickens's 'Cricket'] on the Hearth": "The tale was written years ago for a particular audience..."

The Paston Letters were Stevenson's main literary source for The Black Arrow. The Black Arrow consists of 79,926 words.

The Black Arrow tells the story of Richard (Dick) Shelton during the Wars of the Roses: how he becomes a knight, rescues his lady Joanna Sedley, and obtains justice for the murder of his father, Sir Harry Shelton.

Outlaws in Tunstall Forest organised by Ellis Duckworth, whose weapon and calling card is a black arrow, cause Dick to suspect that his guardian Sir Daniel Brackley and his retainers are responsible for his father's murder. Dick's suspicions are enough to turn Sir Daniel against him, so he has no recourse but to escape from Sir Daniel and join the outlaws of the Black Arrow against him. This struggle sweeps him up into the greater conflict surrounding them all.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Memorable Classics eBooks
• Erscheinungstermin: 2. Juni 2022
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9791221364187
• Artikelnr.: 64271658

Autorenporträt

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) was a towering figure in Victorian literature, known for his vivid imagination and masterful storytelling. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Stevenson's exploration of moral complexity and his penchant for adventure both reflected his literary works and his personal life. Trained as a lawyer, Stevenson instead pursued writing, traveling widely and often writing about his journeys. His health, however, was a constant battle, and his wanderlust was partially a search for climates conducive to his wellbeing. Stevenson wrote 'The Black Arrow: A Tale of the Two Roses' (1888) amidst this backdrop, a historical adventure novel set during the War of the Roses, evidence of his interest in history and ability to create gripping narratives. His literary style often threaded psychological depth within his characters and a gothic atmosphere, traits notably seen in 'Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' (1886) and 'Treasure Island' (1883), which immortalized him as a beloved storyteller. Stevenson's impact on literature remains enduring, with his works continuing to captivate readers and inspire writers for their robust adventure, complex characters, and evocative settings.