Flight from the Fortress

by Lyn Cook

A Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice 2005 Lyn Cook's newest book takes place during the second seige of the Fortress of Louisbourg, 1757. Like others of her books, the story began as a tribute to a beloved place, which Lyn Cook watched grow from a neglected pile of rubble to one of the most exciting living museums in Canada. The Fortress of Louisbourg was once the bustling gateway to a string of prosperous New World settlements. In 1713, it became the battleground in a winner-take-all war between French and English. The prize? A trade monopoly in the natural resources all of Europe was begging for. Caught in the crossfire were the citizens of Louisbourg, their wives and their merchants, shipwrights, adventurers and settlers, tinkers, tailors, soldiers-and spies. In Flight From the Fortress , a French boy comes looking for his English father, a spy for the British. He meets Gaby, a young girl caring for two orphaned infants, and together, they decide to flee the fortress, and find refuge in the forests beyond. As they travel, Philippe's care for Gaby and her charges grows, but never extinguishes his hope of finding his father. He will suffer many dangers and disappointments before he is ready, like Gaby, to take the way out offered him.

156 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 2004

Reviews

[Melissa Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rating.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted very much to enjoy this book, but I couldn’t even bring myself to finish it. The entire story is so convenient that it is completely unbelievable. The book opens with the main character saving a drowning unknown girl and passing out, upon awakening the girl is gone. A helpful slave boy he’s never met before smuggles him into the besieged city of Louisbourg under the guards’ noses and hides him in a hidey-hole in the city walls. After eating the food apparently left in the hole by the slave and sleeping he ventures into the city trying not to be seen. No one in the entire city pays much attention to him except, amazingly enough, the girl he saved from drowning, who once again disappears. He returns to the hole, and luckily the slave has brought him food again. That was the first 2 chapters and I was done. Although the story was written for young readers I think it might have actually been written for stupid readers, who can’t handle any conflict. It’s a strange thing to read about a boy creeping around during a siege, but having every need conveniently met without effort. My kids are far too smart for this book.

[Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was something missing. I did not relate or become involved in the characters.