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John Bentley
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And They Danced Under The Bridge: Pocket Book Edition Paperback – July 17, 2020

by John Bentley (Author)
3.8 out of 5 stars 50 ratings

When a deadly plague seizes the walled town of Avignon, young Marius is determined to save his townsfolk from the raging pestilence.

While leading the effort to combat the Black Death, Marius is distracted by a liaison with the mysterious Alice. Meanwhile, Pope Clément harbors a burning desire for vengeance on the boy’s father.

As death sweeps through the city, can Marius reconcile his passion with a duty to his wife, and his responsibility to the townsfolk?

NOTE: This is the pocket book edition of And They Danced Under The Bridge, convenient to both read and take with you.

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  1. Print length
    308 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    July 17, 2020
  4. Dimensions
    4.12 x 0.7 x 6.75 inches
  5. ISBN-13
    979-8666976555
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08D51CGKF
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 17, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 308 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8666976555
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.12 x 0.7 x 6.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 out of 5 stars 50 ratings

About the author

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John Bentley

John Bentley

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John Bentley was born in Stoke-on-Trent in 1950. He moved to attend Nottingham University where he gained a degree in French Studies and Education. Teaching as Head of Modern Languages followed in tandem with playing bass guitar and keyboards with an array of bands. A Francophile, John best loves Provence, where "And they danced under the bridge", his first novel, is set in medieval times when the Plague afflicted Avignon. He writes, with compassion and insight, a story of young Marius who led the struggle against this scourge.

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3.8 out of 5 stars
50 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • M. Morgan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I love historical fiction and this book didn’t disappoint! The characters were engaging & very realistic. By the end of the book I felt like I knew them personally. It may seem like nitpicking, but one small thing annoyed me a few times. Assorted folks were described as smoking a pipe & the inn or office smelling like stale tobacco. But, the book was set in the first half of the 1300’s, & tobacco didn’t come to Europe until after Columbus’s voyage to the New World in 1492. Overall, a very enjoyable read.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • DaNick
    2.0 out of 5 stars SPOILERS...
    Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I was excited about this book based on its reviews... but I'm so confused, I don't know where to start.

    The story seems promising at the beginning but then nothing happens. The end is abrupt and quite infantile (the bad guy suddenly becomes good, the wife dies so the main character can to marry his lover... etc)

    Surprisingly the book has many inaccuracies... I say "surprisingly" because it would be expected for an author that writes historical fiction to do some research about facts that are completely imprecise.
    For example, it's very well known that tobacco was not introduced in Europe until the late 1500's.
    Also the use of "forks" did not happen before 1533 when Catherine de Medici brought it from Italy to France when she traveled to marry Henry II...

    Unfortunately, I didn't like it at all... It could have been a compelling story but instead it was pretty bad.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • KYorkFair
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting account of life in the 14th century amid the plague epidemic.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I had a hard time connecting with this book initially because the author used archaic language throughout but I am glad I finished the book. I enjoyed my travel through time and place with this well-written novel. It did not disappoint!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Luna
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
    Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Well written fictional novel with the setting as 14th century France, gives a convincing insight into how the Great Plague of 1348 affected the lives of ordinary citizens.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Suz D
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delivery good
    Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Great book
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  • John Broughton
    5.0 out of 5 stars A triumph of human spirit
    Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2018
    An astonishing debut novel in that the author, John Bentley, shows a profound grasp of the psychology of his characters. In this character-driven novel, his protagonist, Marius, reveals a range of human frailties and virtues when confronted by one of mankind’s most devastating pestilences: the Black Death. Bentley’s knowledge of time and place shine through to make this a gripping, stirring and at times moving insight into fourteenth-century Avignon. I would recommend this great read to those who love historical or psychological novels. Any chance of a sequel Mr Bentley? I’d like to see how Marius’s life progresses.
    6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • John Broughton
    5.0 out of 5 stars A triumph of human spirit
    Reviewed in Italy on December 6, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    An astonishing debut novel in that the author, John Bentley, shows a profound grasp of the psychology of his characters. In this character-driven novel, his protagonist, Marius, reveals a range of human frailties and virtues when confronted by one of mankind’s most devastating pestilences: the Black Death. Bentley’s knowledge of time and place shine through to make this a gripping, stirring and at times moving insight into fourteenth-century Avignon. I would recommend this great read to those who love historical or psychological novels. Any chance of a sequel Mr Bentley? I’d like to see how Marius’s life progresses.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Immaculately researched novel of the effects of the Black Death.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    A very detailed insight into Avignon life in 1348 when the town was devastated by the Black Death or Plague.
    The author develops the characters well. By the end of the novel I felt I really knew the main man, Marius, Pope Clément and had greatly warmed to the elusive Alice!
    The author, John, has obviously intensively researched the impact which the deadly plague had on ordinary lives at this crucial time in French history. I feel enlightened by his knowledge and easily await a sequel revealing the impact and consequences of this period of their lives.
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  • Mrs Angela Webb
    1.0 out of 5 stars Very Poor
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 20, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Where do I start? So poorly researched - by the time I struggled though the very strange style of writing to page 32 and read 'the boss spat out a twist of tobacco' I had lost the will to continue. Set in 1347 when the first mention of tobacco in France was 1556? People supposedly not used to attending church at a time when the whole of one's life was linked to faith and everyone attended church? I have never given up on a book before but this shows the problems of buying on line. Had I picked it up in a bookshop I would not have bought it. It is so bad that I won't even give it to the charity shop. Dreadful and not deserving of a single star but the system won't let me put it as no stars. A complete and utter waste of money.
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  • Karen
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent informative and enjoyable book.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This historical novel was well researched with strong characters and a plot that held my attention until the very end.Not normally a reader of historical novels I thoroughly enjoyed the read and look forward to the next John Bentley book.
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