The Letter for the King
Chosen as the best Dutch youth book of the latter half of the twentieth century. Translated into 16 languages. Sold more than 1 million copies.
Tonke Dragt
Translated by Laura Watkinson. Original illustrations by Tonke Dragt
A young messenger. A secret mission. A kingdom in peril….
It is the dead of night. Sixteen-year-old Tiuri must spend hours locked in a chapel in silent contemplation if he is to be knighted the next day. But, as he waits by the light of a flickering candle, he hears a knock at the door and a voice desperately asking for help. A secret letter must be delivered to King Unauwen across the Great Mountains – a letter upon which the fate of the entire kingdom depends. Tiuri has a vital role to play, one that might cost him his knighthood. Tiuri’s journey will take him through dark, menacing forests, across treacherous rivers, to sinister castles and strange cities. He will encounter evil enemies who would kill to get the letter, but also the best of friends in the most unexpected places. He must trust no one. He must keep his true identity secret. Above all, he must never reveal what is in the letter…
The Letter for the King is the thrilling story of one boy’s battle against evil, set in an enchanted world of chivalry, courage and true friendship.
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The Letter for the King will get pulses racing… beautifully translated, well presented and captivating
Amanda Craig, The Times
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Gripping from its opening moment onwards, this award-winning book doesn’t miss a beat from its thrilling beginning to its satisfying ending
Julia Eccleshare
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A fast-moving, wonderful old-style adventure… cinematic in its visual detail… a European classic… far loftier than Harry Potter and beautifully presented
Eileen Battersby, Irish Times
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There ought to be a warning written on it: “Watch out: Whoever reads this book will forget everything that’s happening around them!” From the first sentence, the pages turn into a cinema screen, and no director could have created more beautiful or gripping images
Die Ze
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This fabulous knightly adventure… deserves a place in anyone’s suitcase.
De VolkskrantAmanda Craig
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The story has the quality of a legend, a tale of ancient times. Over a million copies of the book have been sold worldwide. The Letter for the King has everything.
Nederlands Dagblad
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A charming story told simply and captivatingly… deserves to be richly treasured
Booktrust, Books We Love
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