An Old Captivity
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| An Old Captivity | |
| Author | Nevil Shute |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Novel |
| Publisher | William Heinemann |
| Publication date | 1940 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| ISBN | NA |
An Old Captivity is a novel by British author Nevil Shute. It was first published in the UK in 1940 by William Heinemann. It was also published under the alternative title "Vinland the Good".
[edit] Plot summary
The principal character is a young Scottish pilot, Donald Ross, who is hired by an Oxford don, Lockwood, to pilot an air survey mission of Greenland. Lockwood's interest is in the early Viking seafarers and their exploits and although he appears to have little knowledge of the needs of such a project, he insists on their starting as soon as his elder brother, a businessman, can provide finance.
Ross, as the hired expert, then has to contend with the 'helpful' suggestions from both the financier and Lockwood's young daughter, Alix. This causes early tensions in the preparatory stages.
The project is, ultimately, a success and Ross is able to supply many details from that time from his dreams as a slave aboard a voyage by Leif Erikson. We learn of the authenticity of these details by means of characters cut into a stone tablet found on the coast of Cape Cod
