This is the story of a Saxon boy who sets out to find and rescue his father who has been taken by Viking slavers.
Set in 877, as the people of Wessex are forced to fight not just for their very lives but for their freedom, their religion and for their right to live as Saxons, Oscar relates all that which befalls him on his all but impossible quest.
This is set against the backdrop of King Alfred’s desperate attempt to regain his kingdom which culminates in a victory at the Battle of Edington, which is very much against the odds.
But this is not just a story about bloody battles and fearsome warriors, it’s about a boy struggling to live up to his father’s reputation as a warrior and trying to find his place in a turbulent and uncertain world.
For that, Oscar is forced to confront many dangers, earn the respect of others far above his station and even find love — albeit the cost to him is far higher than most men would have been willing to pay.
Oscar’s Tale by Chris Bishop is published on 19 December, 2023.
