Justin Cartwright’s Lion Heart is a powerhouse of a novel that will delight his many fans. Both an original contemporary tale, and an exciting religious quest, it is an utterly gripping read.
Richard Cathar was named after his father’s hero, Richard the Lionheart. In his mid-thirties and keen to trace his father’s footsteps, he embarks on a journey to Jerusalem to study the Crusades and the source of his father’s inspiration. After discovering the story of the True Cross, lost to Saladin in 1187, but recovered by a small band of knights, he starts out on a quest of his own to find the true cross. Along the way, Richard finds out whether his life has been shaped by the truth, or a fantasy.
Shot through with Justin Cartwright’s trademark sharp observation and heart-breaking drama, Lion Heart is a thrilling and original work from one of our finest novelists. It is an utterly exciting novel – romantic, funny, profound and beguiling.