The seemingly simple task of sorting and labelling an old box of family photos inspired a journey of self-discovery that one Langford resident never imagined.
“I didn’t set out to write a book,” said Fred Storey, author of the recently released The Legend of Stor.
Storey wasn’t a history buff before the journey began five years ago, he said. But after digging a little deeper into his family tree he began to follow its branches further back in time. In fact, he managed to trace his genealogy to the time of the Vikings and Stor, the paternal ancestor of all peoples sharing his last name.
“The background is all facts,” Storey said, who admits using some poetic licence to bring the story alive.
The journey took him five drafts and two years before he decided he had found the right version to do the tale justice.
“I describe the battles and the bloodshed,” he said. “It wasn’t a pretty time to live in.”
Set in the 10th century, the story follows the transformation of race, religion and nationality in the area that is now England and it was written from Stor’s perspective as he witnesses and participates in this trying time in history.
For more information go to legendofstor.ca.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com