The Armadillo

The book concerns the fate of an Armadillo sadly overcome by an earthquake in the Amazonian Jungle. On arrival at the Pearly Gates, he is weighed on the Heavenly Scales of Justice to determine his future in the hereafter. Astonishingly, the Scales remain in the neutral position. Never has this happened save for perhaps the Phoenix back in the time of Zeus.

How is the All-Wise to resolve this problem Destiny has set? Clearly a Holy Commission is required consisting of Angels of the Celestial Service. After extensive interrogation of the Armadillo about the living conditions in the Amazon Basin they decide they must go and see for themselves.

Will the Armadillo be admitted to the Everlasting Pastures of Heaven or consigned to the less agreeable environs of Outer Darkness?

After reading both History and Geography at Merton College Oxford, A. W. Hurst became a master at Monkton Combe School whilst deciding what to do with his life. It was then that he wrote The Armadillo. The outbreak of the 2nd World War rather made the decision for him. He joined the Royal Artillery and after a spell defending Newcastle with anti-aircraft guns, he was posted to India for three and a half years. Returning to civilian life, he became Divisional Education Officer responsible for the schools in South Buckinghamshire. He was at heart a naturalist with an encyclopaedic knowledge and abiding love for the English countryside. He was a founder member of the Bucks, Berks and Oxon Naturalist Trust and an advocate for protecting the environment well ahead of his time. He loved poetry, wrote the words of the Aylesbury Grammar School Song – and was still writing poetry into his nineties.

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1 reviews

Cas Peace

It is my deep regret that I never had the pleasure of meeting A W Hurst when I was asked in 2012 by his son if I could help with preparing and formatting his father’s novella for publication – I think he must have been a remarkable man. When I began working, I soon realised I was in the presence of a master of his craft. And while A W Hurst’s style is undoubted of its time, his book clearly resonates with the tenor of its author’s era and life experiences. My honest and unbiased opinion is that ‘The Armadillo’ will captivate and intrigue readers, puzzle and test their powers of perception. The Armadillo himself is a self-effacing and humble creature: much, I suspect, like his creator. And the poems at the back of the book are a delight – beautifully crafted, with all the emotion, joy, playfulness, pathos, insight and humour of a life well-lived; of a lively and enquiring mind. Read it all and enjoy!

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