Gallowglass (novel)

Gallowglass

First edition (UK)
Author Barbara Vine (Ruth Rendell)
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Genre Crime / Mystery novel
Publisher Viking (UK)
Harmony (US)
Publication date
1 March 1990
Media type Print/Audiobook
Pages 304
ISBN 0-670-83241-3
OCLC 24669658
Preceded by The House of Stairs
Followed by King Solomon's Carpet

Gallowglass is a 1990 novel by British writer Ruth Rendell, written under the name Barbara Vine.

Plot summary

When Sandor snatches Joe from the path of a London tube train, he makes it clear that Joe's life now belongs to him. Sandor begins to tell him a mysterious story and teaches Joe that he is a "gallowglass", the servant of a chief. Sandor comes from a wealthy home and is highly educated. Joe, longing for a friend, falls under his spell.

Some years earlier, Sandor had taken part in the kidnapping of a former model, Nina. He now plans to kidnap her again so that they can live together. At present, Nina lives in a heavily guarded residence with her husband and many servants. Eventually, Joe's colourful stepsister, Tilly, is also dragged into the plot. However, things don't turn out as Sandor had planned. Most of the story is seen through Joe's eyes, but Paul Garnet, Nina's driver, also tells part of the tale.

Television adaptation

The novel was made into a serial by the BBC and aired in early 1993. Jacqueline Holborough wrote the screenplay. Key roles in the series included John McArdle as Paul Garnet, Michael Sheen as Joe, Gary Waldhorn as Ralph Apsoland, Arkie Whiteley as Nina and Paul Rhys as Sandor.

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