February 1348. The Black Death has come, and in the Forest of Dean Martin Collyer wakes up having survived, unlike the most of his family. Believing that Saint Cynryth, The White Maiden has protected him he vows to return her statue to Salster, on the other side of the country. On the way he is helped by Hob Cleve , a young man who saves him from an attack. On their pilgrimage deaths occur but are all the result of the plague.
An interesting and well-written historical story. Certainly shows the means that people may go to escape the plague, and survive to hopefully make a living once the plague withdraws
Received an ARC from the publisher
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Set in England during 1349 when the Black Death was making its stealthy way throughout the country leaving tragedy in its wake. When Martin Collyer discovers his father dead one day, apparently from the plague, and half sewn into his shroud, he sets off on a sort of pilgrimage to Salster. On his way he comes across a man called Hob Cleve, they become allies, but Hob seems to have an agenda and secrets of his own.

I thought this was a well written and researched story. It explores the effects of the plague on the land and its people splendidly. The descriptions are very vivid, so it was all very easy to visualise. The characters are intriguing and seemed realistic. However, the pacing of the story was a little slow for me. It seemed never ending at times. There didn’t seem to be much plot and the ending didn’t really work for me.

I was looking forward to reading this book as I’d enjoyed Testament by the same author, but even though it is thought provoking and historically interesting, I did find it a little long winded. ( )

Alis Hawkins' The Black and the White is a fictional exploration of how those living in 14th Century England might have experienced the black death. We have two main characters: Martin, a devout young man on pilgrimage after the death of his collyer father (it's a bit more complicated than that, but we'll leave it here to avoid spoilers); Hob, the bastard son of a minor noble turned flimflam man, trying to make a profit while staying a step or two ahead of the sickness.

The story is told from Martin's perspective, so we see the challenges in reconciling the reality of the epidemic with assumptions that God rewards goodness and the the church can intercede on behalf of the ordinary populace. Martin is a bit naive, which is the main fault of this novel, but an interesting thinker. While readers may see where the plot is heading, they will nonetheless be surprised by ending.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions are my own. ( )