The Stolen Lake facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Joan Aiken |
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| Illustrator | Pat Marriot |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Alternate history, Children's novel |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape |
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Publication date
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1981 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 272 |
| ISBN | 0-224-01924-4 |
| Preceded by | Nightbirds on Nantucket |
| Followed by | The Cuckoo Tree |
The Stolen Lake is an exciting children's book written by Joan Aiken. It was first published in 1981. The story takes place in a special kind of world called an alternate history. In this world, things happened differently in the past. The book follows the amazing adventures of a character named Dido Twite. She travels through a made-up version of South America.
This novel is the fourth book in the Wolves Chronicles series. These books are set in a fictional 19th century. In this made-up world, King James III rules. A part of South America is settled by ancient British (Celtic) people. This happened after an invasion many hundreds of years ago.
What Happens in The Stolen Lake?
After her adventures in Nightbirds on Nantucket, Dido Twite is heading back to England. She is on a navy ship called HMS Thrush. On the way, she becomes friends with the ship's steward, Holystone. He is a very open-minded person.
The ship suddenly changes its path. It lands on the coast of a place called New Cumbria. The crew has orders to help Queen Ginevra. This is because of old agreements between Britain and New Cumbria. They travel to Bath, which is the capital city. There, the crew learns that Queen Ginevra wants their help. She claims a lake has been stolen by New Cumbria's neighbor, Lyonesse.
The Mystery of the Queen
It seems that Queen Ginevra is the same immortal Ginevra, or Guinevere, from ancient myths. She has waited for centuries for her king, Arthur, to return. But she has gained her endless life in a very dark and harmful way. She has become a monstrous queen, harming others to keep her immortality.
Then, a big secret is revealed. Holystone, the ship's steward, is actually Arthur! He had been in a deep sleep for a thousand years. He was on an island in the missing lake. But this Arthur is not happy at all. He is upset by the terrible person his ancient queen has become.
Main Characters
- Dido Twite: She is the main character and hero of the story.
- Captain Hughes: He is the captain of the H. M. S. Thrush. This is the ship that brings Dido Twite from Nantucket to Roman America.
- Queen Ginevra: She is known as the "White Queen" of New Cumbria. She is a very old and powerful ruler.
- Holystone: He is the steward on the Thrush. Later, he is found to be Ginevra's ancient king, Arthur.
- Elen: She is a princess from Lyonesse. Dido Twite helps to rescue her.
