A Game of Dark by William Mayne
"A Game of Dark" presents a compelling narrative centered around Donald, a young boy grappling with the complexities of his family life amid his father's severe disability and constant pain. Donald feels increasingly distanced from his father, a dynamic exacerbated by the influence of their staunch Methodist beliefs and the guilt he experiences at home. The only adult he connects with is Reverend Braxham, providing a rare source of solace. The story takes a fantastical turn as Donald finds himself transported to a medieval town besieged by a dragon, referred to as a "worm."
In this alternate reality, Donald, known as Jackson, becomes embroiled in the local power struggles, aligning himself with Lord Breakbone and contending with the ambitions of Miral, a rival. As he navigates his dual existence, Donald's challenges in both worlds reflect his feelings of isolation and confusion about his identity, especially as he learns more about his deceased sister, Cecily. The narrative culminates in a confrontation with the dragon, leading Donald to make choices that ultimately shape his understanding of bravery and honor. In the end, he must decide between the two worlds, leading to a poignant resolution that brings him peace as he reconciles his past and present.
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A Game of Dark
First published: 1971
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Fantasy—time travel
Time of work: The present and the early medieval period
Locale: A coastal town in northern England
The Plot
Donald Jacksons father is severely disabled but still partially mobile. He is in constant pain, however, which often makes him irascible and uncommunicative. Donald feels increasingly alienated from him, despite the mediation of his mother, who teaches at the local high school that Donald attends. The only adult Donald feels he can talk to is the Reverend Braxham, the local vicar. At home, Donald is made to feel guilty for jobs not done, lack of sympathy, or lack of faith; his parents are staunch Methodists.
Donald finds himself being taken back in time to a medieval town threatened by a “worm,” or dragon. He is befriended by a girl, Carrica, and given shelter. He is then pressed into the service of the newly appointed lord, Lord Breakbone. Previous lords and knights have perished attempting to slay the worm. Jackson, as Donald is known in this world, has to vie with Miral, Breakbones servant and an illegitimate son of the previous lord, but he is favored by Breakbone and made a squire.
When in each world, Donald has no memory of the other, and he has no control over the transitions. Each world seems equally bleak and threatening, and in each he seems equally isolated. His father becomes seriously ill and has to be admitted to the hospital. When he visits his father, Donald feels even further cut off from him and begins to wonder if he really is the Jacksons child. He also wonders about his dead sister, Cecily, about whom he knows or remembers nothing. It is finally revealed that Cecily was killed in the same railroad accident that injured his father. Donald was born prematurely in his mothers shock. Mr. Jackson finally is allowed out of the hospital, his health apparently a little better.
In the medieval world, after an unsuccessful attempt to hire a knight, Breakbone decides to kill the worm himself, assisted by Jackson. Jackson is made acting knight on the field of combat. The lord perishes, but Jackson has caught sight of the vulnerable underbelly of the dragon. He becomes lord and takes on the duty of ridding the town of the worm. In his first combat, he runs away in terror, causing him to be rejected by the townspeople. He tries again, digging a pit underneath the dragons lair. He manages to stab the beasts heart from there. Because he has not fought the dragon in the “correct” way, he feels no honor.
Donald feels a moment of pity and love for his father. For the second time, he is given a choice between the two worlds. He chooses the present. As he does so, his father breathes his last. Donald finally feels peace.