Blackdaw Cottage

Philip Dent

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Why I wrote this book

I wrote Blackdaw Cottage in part in the hope that it might be successful and rescue me from my present situation –grant me the time and space to write more books. But I also wrote the novel in order to return to life some of the people that I worked and associated with in my youth – represent them and their spirit in literary inventions. Their presence remains vivid still, and I wanted to share with the reading public those characters whose resourcefulness and forthright manner amused and brought pleasure into my life all those years ago.

What I feel is different about Blackdaw Cottage is the way in which reality is set against myth, and the contrasts captured and portrayed in the two different centuries. In Bentley’s story people’s lives are governed, to some extent, by superstition and fear; they accept their situation all too readily. They are emotional people, behaving and reacting impulsively and are incapable of deploying rational thought, especially when tragedy strikes. In the twentieth century, when unfavourable events arise, communities unite and strive to overcome and conquer all obstacles put before them. Even young children, plunged into adversity, demonstrate a degree of maturity and do whatever is necessary in order to survive. Blackdaw Cottage, being set in an age before modern communication systems rendered many things instantly accessible, will attract the curiosity of teenagers; and the tribulations of the three children will engage their attention. The story displays disdain for political correctness, introducing children to reckless adventure, activities that might be frowned upon today by parents and safety-conscious authorities.

Blackdaw Cottage removes the reader from a cosseted, technology-driven environment; it harks back to a time when the world seemed a safer place, when free-spirited children were able to play unencumbered by unnecessary regulation. Adults might be attracted to Blackdaw Cottage because the novel is evocative of their youth, of a time when children respected their elders, and when adults demonstrated greater compassion towards each other, when people were driven less by individualism and greed. It will perhaps awaken memories of the simple pleasures that could be derived from inexpensive activities, in their homes or outdoors.

When asked to compare his wriitng to other authors Philip said Which three authors’ work would you compare your writing to? I like to think that the content and style of my writing is unique: I am sure it is not. Authors that have inspired me include V.S. Naipaul and Charlotte Bronte. If I am able achieve a standard of writing comparable with their work, and achieve a fraction of their success, I will be satisfied – grateful to those that think it so.  

Synopsis

When Abigail, Morton, Ruth and her dog go sledging one snowy day in their sleepy village, they wander off into the forest to find the cottage of the notorious recluse, Bentley. After an encounter with the unpleasant gamekeeper Vargis, they continue through a worsening blizzard to the cottage, where they are forced to take shelter. Bentley returns and the children are scared, but they soon grow to trust the elderly man, who tells them the story of Ivan and Gertrude Murdac, outcasts who lived at Blackdaw Cottage years earlier. Meanwhile, the children's parents wait for them, miles away, worried at the fate of their offspring in such horrendous conditions. Day turns to night, night turns to day, and everyone finds that the snow has changed some things forever...A novel for children aged from 12-16, Blackdaw Cottage will keep the reader hooked as they follow the story of the Murdacs and the fate of the three young children and a dog. Blackdaw Cottage began life as a 1,000 word ghost story for a competition about twelve years ago. My computer broke down and I missed the entry deadline. University intervened and the story was put aside. It was revisited seven or eight years later. Other ideas for expanding the story had developed and I attached to the nucleus the adventures of three children. I wanted to resurrect characters, convey the traits of people I associated with in rural Yorkshire in my youth, whose presence remains vivid in my imagination still, says Philip Dent of his writing the book.

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