The Waste Land - Softcover

Acland, Simon

3.57

67 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0956147208 ISBN 13: 9780956147202

Publisher: Charlwood Books, 2010

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The true story of the Holy Grail?

The Waste Land chronicles the adventures of Hugh de Verdon, monk turned knight, during the extraordinary historical events of the First Crusade. He journeys from the great Benedictine monastery of Cluny to Constantinople, Antioch and Jerusalem. He encounters the Assassins, endures a personal epiphany and discovers the 'truth' behind the Holy Grail. Hugh de Verdon's tale is retold by a group of desperate Oxford professors, based on his autobiographical manuscript, discovered in their College Library. Their humorous - and murderous - story also provides a commentary on the eleventh century events and shows that they are perhaps not all they seem.

Juliette Mead "Simon Acland's debut novel is a potent cocktail: take one part First Crusade historical romance, one part modern academic satire - and add three jiggers of coming-of-age, Grail-questing, spur-winning Knight's tale. A rollicking, galloping read from a highly individual story teller."

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Review:

Highly original and a most enjoyable read --Tim Waterstone

Will be thoroughly enjoyed by anyone with a taste for rollicking adventure laced with a subtle dose of literary learning. --Douglas Hurd

Simon Acland's gripping First Crusade mystery thriller rivals the Da Vinci Code for interest and suspense. --Stanley Johnson

I found it utterly gripping. --Giles MacDonogh

...strongly drawn characters and impressive description, while a great deal of action keeps events moving at a cracking pace.
--Pursewarden, 30th May 2010

About the Author:

Simon Acland spent over twenty years as a venture capitalist. When his company was sold in 2007 he took the opportunity to turn to writing. His interest in the myths and legends surrounding the Holy Grail stems from studying 12th and 13th century French grail romances at university.

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