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Having said that, I am not generally a fan of the epic, sweeping novel and there is nothing that I disliked in Whitethorn that I wouldn't also dislike in other books of its kind. It has a lot going for it. The writing is great. The characters are well-drawn and consistent. There is a constant counterplay of humour and pathos and Courtenay displays a deep and sympathetic understanding of human nature, even at its worst. And Tom Fitzsaxby is a hero worthy of any novel. I'll remember him for a long time.
I am giving Whitethorn four Bookbag stars, but a personal three. Its faults are largely genre-related, and its strengths are most definitely Courtenay's own. For me, the momentum decreased steadily after the first third of the book and it really is little more than a simple reprise of Courtenay's previous hit, [[''The Power of One]]''. However, fans of the genre won't mind this. Whitethorn is a classy act, certainly well ahead of its competition.
Thanks to the publisher, Michael Joseph, for sending the book.