Publisher Description

A spellbinding story of a young French prince and a Cornish girl caught up in the intrigue of the 10th Century English Court. '[Anya Seton] brought history so vividly to life' (Philippa Gregory)Merewyn has grown up in savage 10th Century Cornwall; a lonely girl, sustained by stubborn courage and pride in her descent from the great King Arthur. Rumon, a young French prince, has always dreamed of finding the idyllic island of hearsay and legend, Avalon. He gladly leaves his home in Provence but his hopes are dashed when his ship is wrecked off the Cornish coast. Rumon and Merewyn meet and from that hour their lives are intertwined. They make their way to the court of King Edgar and his beautiful young queen. At first they are dazzled but there is evil lurking in the corridors of power . . .Stretching from France to the eastern shores of America to the plains of Greenland, the journeys of Rumon and Merewyn make for an unforgettable saga.

Author Biography

Anya Seton was born in New York City and grew up on her father's large estate in Cos Cob and Greenwich, Connecticut, where visiting Indians taught her Indian dancing and woodcraft. One Sioux chief called her Anutika, which means 'cloud grey eyes', a name which the family shortened to Anya. She was educated by governesses, and then travelled abroad, first to England, then to France where she hoped to become a doctor. She studied for a while at the Hotel Dieu hospital in Paris before marrying at eighteen and having three children. She began writing in 1938 with a short story sold to a newspaper syndicate and the first of her novels was published in 1941. She died in 1990.

Review

[Anya Seton] brought history so vividly to lifeA triumph . . . Fast-moving, exciting and all-action. Avalon has terrific pace, crisp dialogue . . . Seton makes even the minor characters into vivid, convincing folk. A splendid full-length portrait - Evening NewsPerhaps the greatest gifts Anya Seton brings to her historical novels are the zest of her narrative, the life she breathes into the most insignificant characters, and the atmosphere of the era she evokes around them - Books and BookmenAnya Seton takes us into other worlds, making us live for a few hours on a grand scale - Woman's JournalWonderful historical novels - Alison WeirMiss Seton's enthusiasm for both character and period is infectious - Daily Telegraph

Promotional

From the bestselling author of KATHERINE, this is the spellbinding story of a young French prince and a Cornish girl caught up in the intrigue of the 10th Century English Court.

Long Description

A spellbinding story of a young French prince and a Cornish girl caught up in the intrigue of the 10th Century English Court. '[Anya Seton] brought history so vividly to life' (Philippa Gregory) Merewyn has grown up in savage 10th Century Cornwall; a lonely girl, sustained by stubborn courage and pride in her descent from the great King Arthur. Rumon , a young French prince, has always dreamed of finding the idyllic island of hearsay and legend, Avalon. He gladly leaves his home in Provence but his hopes are dashed when his ship is wrecked off the Cornish coast. Rumon and Merewyn meet and from that hour their lives are intertwined. They make their way to the court of King Edgar and his beautiful young queen. At first they are dazzled but there is evil lurking in the corridors of power . . . Stretching from France to the eastern shores of America to the plains of Greenland, the journeys of Rumon and Merewyn make for an unforgettable saga.

Review Quote

'Wonderful historical novels'

Promotional "Headline"

From the bestselling author of Katherine , this is the spellbinding story of a young French prince and a Cornish girl caught up in the intrigue of the 10th Century English Court.

Description for Sales People

KATHERINE by Anya Seton was voted as one of the best reads of all time in the BBC poll and AVALON is one of her most popular novels

Details