Hope and Destiny
The Kingdom of Sweden in 1434 is in turmoil under King Eric. A revolt of Northmen and peasants against burdensome taxes is led by the charismatic Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson. The nobility backs the uprising, helping to oust the corrupt Dane and German bailiffs. Across two years, there are power shifts, changing loyalties, and castle strongholds taken and retaken. This is the story of Natt och Dag’s ancestors, 15 generations past.
Carefully building the historical framework and meticulously constructing a host of characters, Natt och Dag has created an outstanding work of historical fiction. The family of Sir Bengt Stensson of Cuckoo’s Roost make up the heart of the novel. Sir Bengt is a lazy, slothful drunk, his brothers Bo and Nils more ambitious. Their uncle, Bishop Knut, is opportunistic, cunning, duplicitous, always eager to line his pockets, and careful to keep a foot in each camp until he sees which way the wind blows. The heir and hope of the family is Bengt’s son Magnus. As the revolt gains momentum, 17-year-old Magnus is sent north to join Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson’s gathering army. His lifelong companion, Finn, rescued as an orphan of the Black Death, accompanies him. The family, publicly supporting King Eric, is using Magnus to influence and leverage their position and power with Engelbrekt’s possible victory. Magnus proves himself valuable to Engelbrekt and a close friendship grows.
Admirable are the brothers’ wives, women of strength and principle, especially Sir Bengt’s wife Stina who bravely defends the castle while her cowardly husband flees. Amid the turmoil of war and shifting power struggles, webs of intrigue and secrecy play out. A tragic love story unfolds with devastating results. This novel is rich and complex, requiring careful, attentive reading as the narrative builds into a very rewarding payoff.
