Yes, I think all the fear and adrenaline would be totally exhausting so that's a good point, and the contrasting feeling of safety once he's got away from Master Stockwood might have a relaxing effect.
I think that violence in a historical novel is very difficult to do. It was an accepted part of life. On the other hand, you couldn't have a credible story of a young boy enjoying himself being worked to death on a sugar plantation or as a Roman galley slave. Forest acknowledges that ship's boy is normally a miserable occupation, but blesses Nicholas with such absolutely extraordinary good luck, personal good humour, skill and resilience that he actually enjoys it. I'm still not entirely at ease with that even though it does emphasise just how ghastly the grammar school was.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Casual Violence
Date: 2015-05-06 03:12 pm (UTC)I think that violence in a historical novel is very difficult to do. It was an accepted part of life. On the other hand, you couldn't have a credible story of a young boy enjoying himself being worked to death on a sugar plantation or as a Roman galley slave. Forest acknowledges that ship's boy is normally a miserable occupation, but blesses Nicholas with such absolutely extraordinary good luck, personal good humour, skill and resilience that he actually enjoys it. I'm still not entirely at ease with that even though it does emphasise just how ghastly the grammar school was.
Mrs Kent