The Waste Land

By Simon Acland

The Waste Land chronicles the adventures of Hugh de Verdon, monk turned knight, during the extraordinary historical events of the First Crusade.

As Hugh journeys from the great Benedictine monastery of Cluny to Constantinople, Antioch and Jerusalem, he encounters the Assassins, endures a personal epiphany and discovers the truth behind the Holy Grail.

His tale is retold by a group of desperate Oxford professors, who discover his autobiographical manuscript in their college library. Their humorous – and murderous – story also provides a commentary on the events of the eleventh century, and suggests that they were perhaps not all that they seemed …

The Waste Land is an intricate and fascinating novel that blends vivid portraits from history with modern academic satire in an original and compelling way. It will appeal not only to history buffs, but to anyone who seeks a refreshing and original read.