Criticism > Contemporary Literary Criticism > Sutcliff, Rosemary - Eric Hood

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ERIC HOOD

A bronze-age boy had to kill a wolf single-handed before he could wear the warrior's scarlet, the mantle of manhood. For Drem, the test was doubly difficult because of a crippled right arm….

This tale of the testing of Drem [Warrior Scarlet] is a splendid excursion into the past, a fine reconstruction of prehistoric rituals. Set in southern England, the novel is evocative in mood and revealing in detail. The courage and determination of the handicapped hero are implied through actions that speak louder than words. Young people will read the author's message and be grateful for the absence of patronizing explanations and sentimentality. Style and taste lift this novel well above the average tale of adventure. It is smooth stuff, showing a steady hand on the narrative and an eye for color.

Eric Hood, "Mantle of Manhood," in The New York Times Book Review (© 1959 by The New York Times Company; reprinted by...

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1. Introduction
2. Louise S. Bechtel
3. Naomi Lewis
4. Lavinia R. Davis
5. Louise S. Bechtel
6. Elizabeth Hodges
7. Margaret Sherwood Libby
8. J. O. Prestwich
9. Lavinia R. Davis
10. Eric Hood
11. The Times Literary Supplement
12. Margaret Sherwood Libby
13. C. S. Bennett
14. The Times Literary Supplement
15. Carolyn Horovitz
16. Margaret Meek
17. Marcus Crouch
18. Robert Payne
19. Padraic Colum
20. SHEILA EGOFF, G. T. STUBBS, and L. F. ASHLEY
21. Joan V Marder
22. Eleanor Cameron
23. The Times Literary Supplement
24. John Rowe Townsend
25. MAY HILL ARBUTHNOT and ZENA SUTHERLAND
26. Feenie Ziner
27. Jill Paton Walsh
28. Margery Fisher
29. Sarah Hayes
30. Pauline Clarke
31. Elaine Moss
32. Ann Evans
33. Marcus Crouch
34. Hilary Wright
35. Neil Philip
36. Marcus Crouch
37. Sheila A. Egoff
38. Neil Philip
39. Margery Fisher
40. Anne Duchene
41. Copyright