The Further Adventures of Doctor Syn (Doctor Syn #4) 3Stars

 

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Title: The Further Adventures of Doctor Syn
Series: Doctor Syn #4
Author: Arthur Russell Thorndike
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 109
Words: 51K

This felt like a proper “Scarecrow of Romney Marsh” story and not necessarily a Doctor Syn story. Even if they are the same person. While I rated this the same as previous Doctor Syn stories, I think I enjoyed it a bit more.

First, because it has been five months since my last read of the character. Giving me a break really helps my enjoyment of something that I’m on the fence about.

Second, this was as much about the Scarecrow and smuggling as it was about Doctor Syn. The Scarecrow begins creating his legend in these stories and I like that.

Third, because this was basically a collection of short adventure stories and not one novel with a main point. That helped break things up for me.

Fourth, and finally, Doctor Syn isn’t presented as much of a pastor as he has been in previous books. His hypocrisy is downplayed and that allowed me to enjoy the Scarecrow more.

One thing that stood out to me and took me a bit to wrap my head around, was that the characters use the word “tubs” when referring to smuggled liqueur. It wasn’t until I looked at the cover that I realized the author meant “kegs”. That completely changed things. A tub is a broad, shallow thing meant for washing clothes, vegetables or people in. It is open faced and very ungainly. A keg is a closed container that contains drink, or perhaps dwarves if you are reading the Hobbit instead of this story ;-)

This is a tub:

This is a keg:

★★★☆☆

From Wikipedia

The novel is a highly episodic series of adventures as Syn, in his guise as the Scarecrow outwits the king's agents and keeps his band of Dymchurch smugglers out of prison. Set in 1776.