"Waste Land" Crusader Tries To Complete Unfinished Business


Win a signed copy of local author Simon Acland's latest novel "The Flowers Of Evil"

The Flowers of Evil continues the adventures of Hugh de Verdon, the crusader knight introduced in The Waste Land. It takes up his story in the early years of the Twelfth Century, a turbulent period when the victorious First Crusaders fought to hold on to the lands they had won in Outremer.

Unfinished business from The Waste Land takes Hugh on a journey of vengeance and fulfilment to Aleppo, Damascus, Petra and Jerusalem. He battles his old adversaries Baldwin of Boulogne, now King of Jerusalem, Hasan-i Sabbah and the Assassins, and encounters the Knights Templar.

Hugh's story is once again retold by the dons of St. Lazarus' College, Oxford. They have been delighted by the commercial success of The Waste Land and hope to repeat their achievement with The Flowers of Evil. They could not have foreseen the sinister and unexpected consequences.      

Charlwood Books, the publishing imprint behind this novel, is named after the Putney street in which it is located.


Simon Acland expects to be signing copies of his book in Waterstone’s in Putney Exchange at various times over coming weeks. He attributes his success in completing his first book entirely to the peace and quiet of his writing shed at the end of his Putney garden.

 

 

 

 Simon Acland talks about The Flowers Of Evil

June 28, 2011

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Simon Acland

"Intelligently and perceptively written, The Flowers of Evil is a welcome and worthy addition to The Waste Land, which we waxed lyrical about when it was published last year. Rest assured it's well worth a read whether you're a historical fiction fan or not."
Lovereading.co.uk, 6th June 2011 

Q: The Dons of which Oxford college retell the tale?

Send your answer and contact details to editor@putneySW15.com by noon on Friday 8th July