The descriptions given seem generally historically accurate, but I may go dig a little further for myself to check. I had known of this art, but not thought too much about who it was completing the works, and the existence of Guilds, work tickets and scriptoriums affecting the quality of the books. Emalin is a work of art.Īn 'illuminating' read! The title character, 11 year old Emelin, is found in the opening chapters of this YA novel in medieval England, having lost the last of her family in bad circumstances, an Uncle who has taught her his trade of illuminating manuscripts. Her descriptions about the art of illumination is informative and fascinating. The precariousness of life and the struggle for survival is painted in vivid word pictures. Jackie has done a wonderful job of painting the life of poor artists in medieval England. As she sets out Emalin meets the mysterious Wolf, an orphan runaway like herself maybe or someone unwillingly thrust into her world? Wolf appoints himself protector of Emalin but who is he running from? Her only chance of survival to prove to Geoffrey Chaucer that her illuminations match the genius of that of the man he commissioned to add life to his book, The Canterbury Tales.Įmaline sets out on a daring journey that will take great courage and change her life and destiny.

When tragedy strikes Emalin is thrust into an adult world of danger and responsibility. Emalin has lost her whole family and lives on the brink of starvation with only her uncle’s talents as a master illuminator and her blossoming gift as his assistant keeping them alive. Set in medieval England, Eleven year-old Emalin is a gifted artist. | Historical fiction, English - England - Juvenile fiction.Jackie Randall’s junior fiction novel is captivating. She puts her gift to work with the hope that her skills might help her and Wolf survive.'-Back cover. She will have to fight alone, so she battles the adult world, and she battles fear. The journey makes Wolf deathly ill and Emelin learns that she cannot always depend on others. Together, Wolf and Emelin flee to Reading Abbey. Along the way Emelin meets a boy named Wolf who rescues her from a violent thief. She cannot stay safely in her home with the manuscript so she begins a grim wintery journey to what she hopes will be safety. One terrible day, her last relative is killed and Emelin ends up being in possession of a manuscript that belongs to Geoffrey Chaucer. She's also quick-witted, mouthy, and nearly always in trouble. Who has an incredible gift in illuminating manuscripts. 'Emelin Lambert is an eleven-year-old orphan in medieval England.

Emelin by Jackie Randall