Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #48115 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-06
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 400 pages

THE BOOKSELLER
'Writing of this quality is made to last... a classic in the true sense of the word'

Review
'Writing of this quality is made to last... a classic in the true sense of the word' (THE BOOKSELLER )

'The book captures a world very different from our own' (DAILY EXPRESS )

'Kevin Crossley-Holland has a real knack for telling a story well' (BIRMINGHAM POST )

'A gripping historical that is dramatic, touching, compelling and will pull at the heartstrings time and time again' (MY CHILD )

'With strong, believable characters, and a tremendous picture of medival life, this moving, hopeful story plays with language and offers a wonderful, satisfying ending' (GOOD BOOK GUIDE )

BIRMINGHAM POST
'Kevin Crossley-Holland has a real knack for telling a story well'

Customer Reviews

one of the best
i loved this book and have read it more than once. it thrills you and surprises you till the very end. although i would recomend this to anyone it has two down points. one you cant really read it with out reading the arthur triolgy as it keeps refering back to them, so you wouldnt really understand some of the book. Two is that the ending doesnt say enough, he should have added an epiloge as i want to know what happens later in their lives, ie who marries who and who dies. other than that you should definatley read it.

p.s. sorry for spelling mistakes.

Utterly Beautiful..
I have read the Arthur trilogy, and while i don't think it's absolutely necessary to have read them before this book, you will most certainly get more from Gatty's Tale if you have. Even if it is just for the small references to The Seeing Stone or At the Crossing Places which brought a smile to my face remembering reading them.
Gatty is the most wonderful heroine, she's innocent but strong, she's ignorant but sharp and bright and really very funny. Not many books bring a tear to this English student's eyes, but Gatty's Tale brought on more than a few! The story is beautifully told, and the reader becomes so attached to Gatty and her fellow pilgrims as they trek to Jerusalem. I felt as if i'd been on the journey with them, and the simple sentances and imagery is magical and effective. By the end, i didn't want to say goodbye to Gatty and the loyal Snout, not to mention all the characters at Caldicot.
This is one of my favourite books, a beautiful and accurate portrayal of medieval life but to get the most out of it, read the Arthur trilogy first, which is just as good, for only then can you reminisce wistfully with Gatty about Arthur and Pip, which when read originally, you wouldn't expect to find that image where it would eventually stay for centuries and more.

A joyful, tear-jerking book

Incredible! Once more Kevin Crossly-Holland makes a superb creation! This book does not give you time to slump back in your seat, for once it's done with one tantalising moment it's on to another. Short, snappy sentences are perfect for this type of book. Again Holland is pure genius!

In the year 1203 we meet Gatty (servant to Sir John) who has a voice of an untrained angel. One day Sir John hears her singing in the field and contacts his good friend Lady Gwyneth who states that she is in need of a second chamber maid and Gatty's voice may be just the thing she needs; because Lady Gwyneth and some associates are going on a dangerous and daring pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the holy land, but who knows whether they will make it...

This is a story of plain field girl who faces thieves, murderous Saracens and ghastly men. But once she gets through all the tasks that await her there is a glorious prize to be had - that no one would ever have dreamt of!

It amazes me how much Kevin Crossly's writing can touch someone so much compared to his other creations.
Beautifully written, Gatty's Tale devours a medal for the tenderness but simplicity of story.

While reading you totally get to know Gatty and the rest of the characters and begin to feel their worries and woes.

All in all I would recommend this book to anyone!

Robyn