This is a supposed true account of John Carrol and his sister Bell who lived in 17th century England. Taken from Carrol’s own account and first published in 1819 by John Hatchard, the story has been rewritten and published by Mark Hamby for modern readers.
This is a highly moving little story of a literal hedge of thorns designed to protect travelers from perils that lay beyond, but which became most harmful when transgressed. Carrol’s sad encounter with the thorn hedge as a child foreshadows his spiritual experience as a young man. Had he learned the lesson the literal thorns could have taught he would have been spared the tragic consequences of later years. This book is written that others might learn the lessons John Carrol disregarded. A most interesting story.