Rosemary Sutcliff

A writer of genius capable of conveying the feelings and lives of those who lived in the distant past

Sebastian Milbank

ONCE A UBIQUITOUS FEATURE OF childhood bookshelves, who now remembers The Eagle of the Ninth, published 70 years ago this year? Its author was Rosemary Sutcliff (1920-1992), the prolific historical novelist who wrote over 60 books for children and adults. The Eagle of the Ninth saw a brief revival in interest following a 2011 film adaptation; but alas that American production entirely missed the tonality of the novels and was swiftly forgotten. On paper, Sutcliff — a disabled female novelist — is prime fodder for a literary rediscovery. Her 1978 novel, Song for a Dark Queen, about the life of Queen Boudica, even won a feminist book prize. But in other respects, her work is profoundly unfashionable, and only getting more so. Not for Sutcliff the prurient explorations of trauma,…

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The Critic (Digital) - 1 Issue, June 2024

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