Counting sheep is much better

It tells the story of an attempt by a group of 14th-century Christians from the Scandinavian mainland setting sail to re-establish contact with a lost flock of settlers who had gone to Greenland, but from whom nothing has been heard for a considerable time.

The expedition is led by a bishop on behalf of the king and it is he who writes the report of the expedition which forms the frame for the novel.

It may be based on actual events. We are not told. But it gives no indication that the author has done much proper research, as the descriptions of the boat journey to Greenland and details of survival in an open-decked galley, powered by oarsmen, is just not believable.

The weather conditions described would have killed everyone within days, if not hours. I know first-hand how inhospitable conditions in Greenland are - if you fall in the sea, you die within minutes.

The book gives a vivid picture of an authoritarian and vengeful church, determined not to let even far-flung groups escape its wrath. But it adds nothing new to what we already know about the medieval church.

As the book is given no real context and we are given no indication of how far it is complete fantasy or based loosely on fact, we are left with a pedestrian report by a faithful ecclesiastic administrator with no relevance for today.

The blurb talks of the "explosive jubilation" of the writing. I'd call it a very damp squib.

JOHN GREEN