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Content by Timothy Stekkinger
Reviewer Rank: 116,357
Helpful Votes:
6
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Reviews Written by
Timothy Stekkinger (Netherlands)
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Crusade in Jeans
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by Thea Beckman
Edition: Paperback |
| Price: £6.64 |
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| Availability: In stock |
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
one of the best historical children's novels ever written, 6 Oct 2003
This work by Thea Beckman - inspired by actual historical events - is considered "classic" in the Dutch children's literature (i.e. age 10 and up). True, Thea Beckman's gift to capture the reader from cover to cover, is particularly evident here. In preparation for writing this book, the author spent nearly two years of conducting historical research, including numerous field trips to the respective locations across Europe. In 1974 "Crusade in Jeans" received the European award for the best historical children's novel.
The challenges that the 8.000+ stray children face during their journey through medieval Europe, seem to be as numerous as they are various: no food, no medicine and under threat of constant attack. Equipped with nothing more than his no-nonsense wits and a 20th century kitchen knife, Dolf tries to organize the children's army as effectively as possible and to prepare them for the journey through the mountains and the battles ahead. Yet in the course of the story, Dolf comes to realize that in the end it is true friendship, hope and shared dreams that give people the strength to succeed and to overcome life greatest challenges.
In support of the criticism given by previous reviewers: I would have given it six stars were it not for the bad translation. Too many sentences seem to have been translated too literally - or even completely left out - causing that much of the original intended meaning/feeling is somewhat lost. Hence the four stars.
On a side note: i anticipate the soon-to-be-released movie based on this book; indeed, with such a basis (for the script) the director would have to be extremely clumsy to mess up this one! ;)
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