What do You think about Crossing To Paradise (2008)?
I did this in Children's Literature at university, because it is a book for younger people. If I remember correctly, I was the only one who liked it.It took me a few chapters to get into it, but now I love it. I think the main thing for me was the location changes. Crossley-Holland writes the climate as part of the story and this makes the journey they go on more exciting and adventurous.Crossley - Holland also brings a sense of reality to it. It's easy to forget that it is a book for young children as he writes scenes that are just not very nice. For example, the amount of boils and spots and grease the characters all have, and then the harder scenes like the attempted rape of Gatty or the manipulation of her by a young man. The writing itself is obviously for younger people, as it's a journey about self discovery I would have expected the word choice to reflect this. As it goes Crossley - Holland simplifies things sometimes. But, he does remember who his intended audience is and it makes you wonder - maybe life changing events are that simple?
—Alicia
I loved Gatty from the Arthur trilogy and so having a whole adventure all to herself made my reading day. Gatty was introduced as a young girl who worked hard on the land of the Caldicot's. She and Arthur were peculiar friends - the lord's son and a peasant wasn't really what you would call a conventional friendship. Arthur went off to the Crusades, leaving Gatty alone. When her father dies she is left alone. Lord Caldicot feels sorry for her and perhaps affected by his son's friendship with her, arranges for her to accompany a lady on a pilgrimage to Bethlehem. Gatty's Tale tells of her long journey to the Birth place of Jesus Christ. It isn't just a physical journey of course, but a spiritual and mental journey.Kevin Crossley-Holland is first and foremost a fantastic author and I think must have done a good amount of research because he takes you back in time so seamlessly you barely notice it. You can read as many history text books as you want, but the best way to really get a "feel" of history I think, is to read a fictional account.Strong characters make up this book. Gatty in particular of course. I loved how she grew up in this book - from girl to young woman. I loved the love story between her and Arthur. This book completed the trilogy in the nicest way possible.I love authors who can create not just a world, but characters whom you can touch and know. Really "know" as if they are your friends. Sometimes it is hard to believe they aren't real.
—Fiona
In medieval times, European Christians would go on pilgrimages to holy sites. Some sites, such as Canterbury, Tours or Compostela were fairly easy for Europeans to get to. But Jerusalem, the best pilgrimage site of all, required a long journey, bravery, good luck, and a large amount of money.Gatty, a field hand on a manor near the English/Welsh border is chosen by Lady Gwyneth to accompany a diverse group on the journey to Jerusalem because of her loyalty and excellent singing voice. Crossing to Paradise follows Gatty and her fellow travelers as they make their way across England to Europe, then to Venice and beyond. It is an interesting look at the Middle Ages, and Gatty is an interesting heroine, although not quite as likeable as some others. I was mostly disappointed in the death of one of Gatty's companions, who I had come to really like. The death was sudden and very unexpected. However, the story itself is pretty good, and I liked it well enough.
—Adrienne
