THE ARCHER'S TALE

Reminiscent of, but by no means as rich as, Charles Reade's THE CLOISTER AND THE HEARTH, this sweeping novel takes place during the medieval One Hundred Years Wars. After making a promise of vengeance to his dying father, the title bowman fights the French, rapes, pillages, rescues damsels, makes a powerful enemy, suffers pangs of conscience, discovers his true identity, and falls in love. The usual stuff. In narrative sections, reader Colin McPhillamy is merely serviceable. In dialogue sections he excels indeed--imbuing the characters with more personality than has the author. Y.R. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 03]