Boudicca: Warrior Queen

In her postscript addressed ‘Dear Reader’ Busby is quite honest about the problem with writing a book on Boudicca: there is so little information you have to use your imagination. And this account of Boudicca’s life is brim full of it, told in the words of the Ancient Bard ‘in her storytelling voice, more singing than speaking’. The device works well and allows Busby to introduce much detail about Celtic culture, atmospheric description and convincing dialogue, as well as the historical background to the Roman occupation of Britain and her feuding tribes. Boudicca is painted as a strong and forceful queen, proud and courageous, prepared to lead the Iceni in battle against the might of Rome. An excellent addition to this first-class biographical series. (For younger readers, see Boudica in the ‘Brilliant Brits’ series.)