First published in England in 1955, [A Swarm in May] has a most unusual plot. It is based on an old tradition: the youngest Singing Boy is always the Beekeeper; he must "come before the Bishop one Sunday in May, to sing a short solo and recite the ritual assuring the Bishop that the organist will supply good beeswax candles for the Cathedral throughout the coming year." The custom is still carried on though now the candles come from a warehouse and are not made of beeswax. How John Owen the youngest boy refuses at first to be the Beekeeper but comes at last to realize how much the old tradition means forms one thread of the story. Running along with it is the mystery of beehives and a secret missing since the days of Henry VIII. The Cathedral background, the music, the beekeeping and the very real boys combine to make a story that will be loved by those children who are always looking for English books and by others who are lucky enough to have adults share it with them. (pp. 307-08)
Jennie D. Lindquist, in The Horn Book Magazine (copyrighted, 1957, by The Horn Book, Inc., Boston), August, 1957.
This is a free excerpt of 202 words. There are 207 words (approx.
1 page at 300 words per page) in the full critical essay.
Read the rest of this Criticism with our Mayne, William 1928–: Critical Essay by Jennie D. Lindquist Access Pass.
