Duncton Wood by William Horwood
Review by Floresiensis
Duncton Wood is the moving love story of Bracken and Rebecca and the trials they must face and overcome to be as one. It is unfortunate that this work must be compared to Watership Down but that is the only book with which I can really compare it to in terms of story-line and excellence. This book is about moles and unlike anything you have ever read before. The animal kingdom is savage and survival of the fittest is a fact of life (or death). This is a book for adults and is at times as dark as it is uplifting. The book was first published in 1980 and has since become a best-selling novel.
The narrative begins with Bracken, outside in a storm and finally coming to terms with himself. He has finally accepted who he is, not a fighting mole, but a gentle, spiritual and caring mole, a lover of sun and with a hatred of fighting. Rebecca loves life and brings joy to all she encounters but her father is Mandrake, the most feared mole in Duncton, a leader whose control is marked with blood.
It is not easy to suddenly have moles as the characters that are centre to the entire work and with whom you must feel compassion towards but that only lasts a very short time. William Horwood is a wonderful author who, in Bracken, Rebecca, Mandrake, Rune and all other Duncton Wood moles, gives us characters who match any in fantasy literature.
The moles are given human elements (speech and faith for example) and this makes them easily identifiable to the reader. The research that William Horwood conducted in the writing of Duncton Wood must have been extensive, as there appears to be no guesswork and every single line and chapter rings true. I am sorry to have to mention Watership Down again but in both these books the English countryside is depicted in such a beautiful way that it helps English readers like I realised what a lovely country we do live in.
The Ancient System took in the injured Bracken as a mother tending a gravely hurt pup. It caressed him with silence, soothed him with its darkness, and its labyrinths were to give him the space in which to find himself again.
The theme of love runs strong throughout Duncton Wood, Bracken and Hulver, the aged mole who teaches him so much runs parallel to Rebecca and Rose, the healer who trains her to take over her duties as she ages. Bracken and Bosworth, Rebecca and Cairn, Mandrake and Rebecca, all these relationships are portrayed with great empathy and capable a bringing out great compassion from the reader.
He tried to comfort her but she pulled away, looking at him from a cold and far-off place he knew he could never reach. His hold on her fell limp and she crossed over to where Mandrake lay, paused for a moment as she touched his head gently, looked back at Bracken and Stonecrop with a fierce and cold pity, and then went out of the clearing and into the dark.
This is a long book at over 700 words in length and takes some reading, especially as it is only the first part of a trilogy. The themes that I felt were contained in it, other than the overriding theme of love, was the comfort that can be gained from faith when faced with a society that is deteriorating around you.
I read an excellent review of Duncton Wood on another site where the reviewer had researched the various locations of the mole systems. Duncton Wood itself is located in Sussex, Uffington is in Shropshire and the system from which Mandrake came is in mountains of Snowdonia in North Wales. This puts into perspective the journeys that the moles undertook during the course of Duncton Wood.
Duncton Wood is a truly breathtaking and enchanting read that reminds us how savage yet full of love the animal kingdom truly is.
Links related to Duncton Wood on WilliamHorwood.net
Sharon from Fylde coast, Lancs
Something drew me to the first Duncton book many years ago and I have never regretted stumbling upon them despite the darkness one is asked to traverse amongst the many adventures in all six volumes! They are truly beautiful.. I experienced all emotions possible. I laughed and I cried ..... Mayweed's story broke my heart. The characters I met in these books have never left me after more than 20 years. As near to perfection as any author ever got in my opinion. Thank you William Horwood, I will never forget these books.
Franky from Folkestone
I started reading these books two years ago, when I was 12. They are wonderful books that both my parents read many years ago. Duncton has changed the way I see the world and view people. It has also improved my understanding of the English language and improved my literary techiniques. I'm on the 4th book now so I'm very used to the molespeak - I am almost confused now... If I read another book, when it says 'a helping hand' now instead of 'a helping paw'! If this book were in the curriculum I think it would have spoiled the magic for those who know about these books - the whole world would know about them but discover them in the terrible and boring place of the English class room! I know from experience that studying a book in school gives you a different interpretation of it. I think it would be sad if this happened with Duncton :) Wow, that's a lot of writing :)
Michelle from California
Anyone who thinks authors like William Horwood, Brian Jacques (Redwall), Erin Hunter (Warriors) & Tad Williams (Tailchaser's Song) weren't inspired by Richard Adams' groundbreaking 'Watership Down' are not giving proper respect to the novel which came before them all. 'Watership Down' was published in '72. These also-rans came out in the '80's or much later. Duncton Wood is good, but for me Watership Down is a solid 10.
Mark from Leyland
Duncton Wood is my favourite book. I have read it many times and I never tire of it. A masterpiece...
Ken from Perth Western Australia
A book for all ages (I'm 78) and having started reading it, have only been able to put it down in order to write this report.
Chris from Rochdale
The Duncton novels were the first 'adult' books I read, back when I was a ten year old child. So taken was I by the way they were written, they inspired me to ultimately become a writer. I only wish the bold William would produce another trilogy that I can enjoy reading as an adult. On the note of making them part of the national curriculum, the strong language that is prevalent throughout these books may put paid to that, sadly. I do think that both Duncton trilogies are very much written for adults, but that's not to say the children of today can learn a lot from the books' themes.
Elliott from Norwich
Duncton Wood is a book I come back to again and again. If you're considering reading it, DO NOT be put off by the idea of it being about moles, within pages you will be hooked. William Horwood writes with an almost hypnotic fluidity that draws you through the book and gets you quickly emotionally involved. The book raises questions about faith, religion and tradition as well as the battle between good and evil. Read it... but make sure you have plenty of time on your hands as you won't want to put it down!
Maureen from Lancashire
This book was given to me, I didn't really think that I would enjoy a story about moles but I loved it and didn't want it to end. I only finished reading it a few minutes ago and decided to look up the author, I'm delighted that there is more....so now the search begins.
Helen from Weston Super Mare
Absolutely fantastic - I have read the trilogy before and enjoying it even more the second time. Spellbinding!!
William from Shropshire
The Duncton Wood books really are magical, I'd never have thought the a story about moles could be so moving and realistic. The trilogy dwarfs The Lord of the Rings in size so it requires some dedication but it more than worth that effort. After reading these they will never leave you and you will often find yourself strangely drawn to them on your bookshelf and be tempted to read them all again. I'm surprised that they don't receive that acclaim that they deserve, hopefully one day they will.
Susan from Hull
Beautiful is exactly the right word for this book. Rare beauty, I might add. I know that Watership Down is read in schools throughout the UK as part of the English literature course but I honestly think that this is even better. Don't get me wrong, Watership Down is a book that is excellent in its own right but the themes and morals of Duncton Wood are on another level and children would really benefit from reading about the fight between good and evil that is integral to this book. I know this is perhaps too long (700+ pages) for many kids to get through but the ones that do will have read a book that will stay with them forever.
Let people know what you think about Duncton Wood. You can write your own review and award the book the rating that you think it deserves.
Fantasy Book Review Book of the Month, February 2012
A Tolkien inspired romantic fantasy that all starts with an extremely loving and well written letter... G.T. Denny's novel, Deep into the Heart of a Rose, will help usher in a new generation of love sick teens. If you love fantasy and adventure fiction then this book is for you. Well written, charmingly detailed and epic, this truly is a must read for 2012.
Read our full review of Deep into the Heart of a Rose
For more information, visit http://gtdenny.com/
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