The lads are bullied by contemporaries and sadistic monks alike, the latter under the excuse of defeating the inner devil. We aren't just talking about a caning or some name-calling either as Dunstan and Wulfric both discover to their horror.
The first chapter of the book, as well as providing us with one of the best opening lines ever, foreshadows the turning point in Dunstan's life that the rest of the book circles back to later. Do we know that the punishment and connected two deaths we walk in on (she says, just about unspoilingly) happened if we know nothing of his school years? I don’t don't know but it makes a blooming brilliant drama and, let's face it, it's called historical ''fiction'' for a reason.
From here we go into the realms of the documented. His initial rise may be due to a rumour and then a boost from his uncle, Archbishop Anthelm, but soon Dunstan's being promoted on his own merit.
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{{newreview
|author=Conn Iggulden
|title=Dunstan: One Man Will Change the Fate of England
|rating=4.5
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=The young Dunstan shows no sign of the sainthood he'll later attain. Son of a Wessex thane and sent to a monastery for education, this isn't a lad who responds to discipline. However an enquiring, intelligent mind begins to emerge and then comes the big break. Lady Elflaed calls to put a proposal to him after hearing about what she considers to be a miracle and the monks consider another in a long line of excuses. Yet Dunstan will outshine all his teachers as well as knowing seven kings and holding responsible positions in their courts, as the book's title suggests. Whether we believe in the miracles or not, Dunstan certainly had quite a life!
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0718181441</amazonuk>
}}
TWEET: Dunstan: One Man Will Change the Fate of England by Conn Iggulden