Synopsis
In 1087, Thomas the Piper sits down to recount the heartwarming, spell-binding hundred-year history of how his family of story-weaver and serfs has got by, against the odds. His young scribe - lovestruck and distracted - writes it all down. Several generations of this West Country family, from the reign of King Edgar to the Battle of Hastings, are linked by one recurring theme: the gift of storytelling, first found in Tom, the bard of King Edgar's court, whose love for Fleda saves her life and creates a legend in their son Bas, who gains a ferocious reputation as a warrior fighting the armies of King Cnut. Bas's son Harry, a storyteller like his aunt, passes the gift on to his own son Thomas, who is forced to make use of the first of three wishes endowed upon the wishing penny given to his grandfather by King Edgar. But will it save his family?
'Unique, fascinating and compulsively readable.' Alan Sillitoe
Surging, powerful, exceptionally well written.' Kevin Crossley-Holland
A remarkable, powerful and hugely enjoyable novel.' The Historical Novels Review
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About the Author
Stephen Edden carefully researched the background for his first novel, The Wordsmith's Tale, to ensure the authenticity of the setting. James Campbell, editor of The Anglo Saxons (Penguin History), has said: 'I have never read a novel quite like this. A remarkable, unusual, imaginative creation.' Stephen lives in Nottingham.
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The Wordsmith's Tale
Seller: ThriftBooksVintage, Tukwila, WA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. None (illustrator). SIGNED by the author. Shelf and handling wear to cover and binding, with general signs of previous use. Wear commensurate with age and use. Clean unmarked copy. Dust jacket wrapped in protective mylar sleeve. Secure packaging for safe delivery. signed by author. Seller Inventory # 1038733834
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THE WORDSMITH'S TALE - signed, dated
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Beautiful Books, 2011
ISBN 10: 1908238526
ISBN 13: 9781908238528
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Seller: Fantastic Literature Limited, Rayleigh, ESSEX, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. None (illustrator). fine hardcover copy in a fine dustwrapper, 1st edition. SIGNED dated. A brilliant evocation of Anglo-Saxon life from 987-1087AD, dictated by Thomas the Piper to his nephew, Aart, in a monastery in Exeter. Seller Inventory # FB26.045
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The Wordsmith's Tale
Published by
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ISBN 10: 1908238526
ISBN 13: 9781908238528
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Seller: Cross Genre Books, WEST LINN, OR, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. None (illustrator). 1st Edition. Signed by Author(s). The dust jacket is unclipped (?15.99). 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 number line. Signed and dated "26.06.11" by the author on the title page. Seller Inventory # 004045
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The Wordsmith's Tale
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Beautiful Books, London, UK, 2011
ISBN 10: 1908238526
ISBN 13: 9781908238528
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Seller: Kelleher Rare Books, Naas, IE, Ireland
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Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. None (illustrator). 1st Edition. First UK Edition, First Printing. This true first edition, first printing (first impression) with the number "1" to the copyright page to indicate a true first print. One of only 200 hardcover copies produced. Signed and Dated to the title page by the author Stephen Edden [Stephen Edden 16.06.11]. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 003081
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THE WORDSMITH'S TALE+++VERY RARE+++SIGNED AND DATED+++ONLY 200 HARDBACKS+++FIRST EDITION FIRST PRINT+++
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BEAUTIFUL BOOKS, London, UK, 2011
ISBN 10: 1908238526
ISBN 13: 9781908238528
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Seller: Long Acre Books, Stevenage, United Kingdom
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Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. None (illustrator). 1st Edition. A VERY NICE CLEAN AND TIGHT FIRST EDITION FIRST PRINT OF STEPHEN EDDEN'S VERY VERY RARE NOVEL THE WORDSMITH'S TALE WHICH STEPHEN SIGNED AND DATED ON THE TITLE PAGE. THIS IS A VERY LIMITED EDITION OF ONLY 200 COPIES AND IS VERY SORT AFTER. BOOK IS IN A PROTECTIVE CLEAR ACETATE COVER, ALL BOOKS DESPATCHED WRAPPED IN BUBBLE WRAP AND A CARDBOARD BOX. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 000172
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The Wordsmith's Tale
Published by
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ISBN 10: 1908238526
ISBN 13: 9781908238528
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Seller: Grayshelf Books, ABAA, IOBA, Tomball, TX, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. None (illustrator). 1st Edition. First UK Edition/First Printing with the complete number line; A Fine book in a Fine dust jacket with no visible flaws, as new and unread. SIGNED and dated by the author to the title page. A pristine copy of this debut novel; one of a reported 200 copy first printing. Not remaindered, not price clipped (price on back panel, not front flap), not ex-library; in a fresh Mylar sleeve and will ship carefully wrapped in a sturdy box. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 2877