The Dungeon

by Lynne Reid Banks

Book Overview

A medieval tragedy and tale of retribution - The Dungeon is a powerful story from a writer of great skill and potency. The setting is medieval Scotland, a land dominated by skirmishes and battles on... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0066237823
• ISBN13: 9780066237824
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 279 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.3" x 7.4"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Must read for anyone!

This novel is a truly important read to get a deeper insight on human nature. The characters of Bruce MacLennen and Peony are complex and deal with the dangerous world of 14th century Scotland and China in real ways. Revenge and grief play a great part in the story and one can see the horrors of revenge. This is not a typical young adult book. It is terribly, terribly tear jerking and will leave you running for tissues. Read it! Although, your heart will be bruised for a while after you finish.

A Moving and Sad Story

Bruce Maclennan is Scottish and is bent up on revenge on his life long enemy Macinnan. After Maclennan returns from his trip to China, he expects his dungeon and castle fortress to be built. Why does Maclennan go to China in the 14th century so far away from Scotland? It did sound a bit unrealistic, but in the story it was said he wanted adventure. Well if that was what he was searching for, he found it. Only, it wasn't the only thing that he found. Along with silk bedsheets,(highly rare in Scotland)Maclennan bought a tea slave . He didn't bother to learn her name, and he figured she was just a slave. This girl's name is Peony, and she is frightened to death when she is taken away with Maclennan to Scotland. She is treated like dirt by Maclennan, and she will never get to see her family again. Peony is extremely obedient towards Maclennan, and sees to his every wish, even when he throws her blows. Throughout the story as a reader, you sympathize with Peony and become more and more confused with Maclennan, as to whether or not he cares for Peony more than just a slave, or as a daughter. Also you get to see Maclennan's crueller side as a person with hate pent up inside him. His thirst for revenge made him a completely abominable character with no heart.Toward his enemy, his ideas are without remorse. His dungeon will dwell with Macinnan, and he will rule the land. In the end, cruel twists relay the truth to Maclennan about every action he has made in his life. The reader will be shocked at the end of the story, and will be moved thoroughly. Read this book, it will make you cry, or at least it will move you!!

Powerful and sometimes disturbing

Bruce MacLennan, a peasant elevated to Laird status complete with land and tenants in return for saving the life of his liege, uses his spoils of war to build a castle, dreaming of the day he will lock away the rival who stole the lives of his precious wife and children in a clan raid. While he waits for his castle and dungeon to be completed, he travels to China, where he purchases a servant girl whom he treats like a dog. Ultimately his relationship with the young woman is his salvation, but at a high price.Not only does Banks provide rich details of fourteenth century life that make present day politically correct and over-sanitizer readers shudder, she also weaves in ancient Chinese philosophy with history, culture and geography of two very different places in one time. MacLennan's obsession often makes him a hateful character, but he occasionally redeems himself, showing he is a complex protagonist, almost an anti-hero. Banks skillfully contrasts the quiet precision of the tea ceremony with the earthy brutality of war and revenge.The strong characters and adventure have appeal to boys and girls alike, with possibilities for classroom use. The Dungeon will provide insight into medieval times and the human character, and generate much discussion as well. Recommended for juvenile and middle school collections.

Be prepared

If there was one word to describe this book and the story it contains, it would be: dark. If you think this book has to have a happy ending, you would be wrong. I was extremely surprised about how depressing the ending was. The ironic twist at end is very poignant and - I hate to use this word, but here it is - sad. Everything you thought you knew about the character is changed with his one merciless act (you'll know who I'm talking about when you read it). Be prepared! Virtually no one has a happy ending - but somehow that's oddly appropriate. Banks tells us that life does not always end well, some people can never change, and people DO regret their actions sometimes, but only when it's too late and they've lost their chance to correct past mistakes. That's the depressing part, and it's "Small Eyes'" fate to pay for her master's acts.PS - being Chinese myself, I was emotionally attached to Small Eye's adventure throughout the entire story. She'll make you cry, seriously (or at least tear up a little).