Geraldine McCaughrean's first novel is a love story set in a mythical and mystical Middles Ages, drawn from the courtly and pastoral story-telling tradition. It tells of fated passion, of lovers betrayed and ultimately redeemed. A previous book earned the author the 1987 Whitbread children's novel award. The Maypole is a bewitching love story, drawn from the old tradition and lustily retold. It tells of a fated passion, of loves betrayed and yet, ultimately redeemed, of desire transfigured.