As an identical twin, Tim Murgatroyd found writing his second novel a pleasure.

“I’ve always wanted to explore the whole ‘twin thing’,” says the English teacher, who grew up in Brighouse. “Having said that,” he adds, “I don’t see a lot of similarities between the twins’ relationship in the book and my relationship with my twin brother.”

His new novel, Breaking Bamboo, follows the paths of twins Yun Shih and Yun Guang, one a humble yet respected doctor, the other a tough military hero.

The two were torn apart as children by their father’s favouritism, leaving unspoken hurt and suffering to rankle in both. In life, the pair are worlds apart, but their thoughts often gel, with Guang’s softer contemplative side showing through his battle-scarred exterior.

Set in 13th century China, the book is the second in a trilogy, the first being Taming Poison Dragons, following the lives of the Yun family who, in this novel, have been driven from their ancestral home and lands by barbaric Mongol hordes.

Tim also enjoyed developing female characters. “I liked writing from a more female perspective, as two of the four main characters are strong women.”

One of these, Cao, the wife of Dr Shih, struggles with many mixed emotions after beautiful concubine Lu Ying – a delicate yet ultimately strong character – joins her household.

Researching the novel, Tim read extensively, particularly around the “amazingly-advanced” gunpowder weapons the Chinese used.

Amazingly, Tim has not visited China, drawing inspiration from photographs, contemporary poetry, even DVDs of the Wild China series. “But most of all, I use my imagination,” he says. “The twin cities are loosely based on the epic siege of Xianyang, a six-year battle between invading Yuan Dynasty armies founded by the Mongols and Southern Song forces between 1267 and 1273.

The poetic style and language is borne out of the former Hipperholme Grammar School student’s love of poetry. “I try to paint a picture in a poetic style while also including lots of exciting events.”

Tim juggles work and family with writing. “I never watch TV except for the aforementioned DVDs and the odd film. I’m also very disciplined. Working under such time pressure means that if a slot of free time comes up, I don’t waste it.”

He is currently working on the final book in the trilogy, The Mandate Of Heaven, set in Mongol-occupied China.

Review

Tim Murgatroyd – Breaking Bamboo (Myrmidon Books, £16.99): How would a woman react were another, more alluring, infinitely more desirable, female suddenly move into the home she shares with her husband?

The tension is palpable as the beautiful Lu Ying is banished from her role as favoured concubine to the city’s revered leader and sent to live in the relatively cramped confines of Apricot Corner Court, sharing the space with Dr Shih and his plain, yet dependable and hard-working wife.

Also under their roof is Dr Shih’s father, who has descended into madness.

The early chapters of Breaking Bamboo set the scene for possible domestic turmoil, made all the more acute by the on-off presence of Dr Shih’s identical twin brother, military hero Yun Guang.

The tale is set against the backdrop of impending invasion, as the city and its twin across the river are under siege from Mongol armies.

Descriptions of the defences, Mongol camps, and action are vivid, bringing the whole thing to life – a water-borne battle is particularly so: ‘Flags waved from the crow’s nest to reinforce his orders. Few could see them in the smoke and darkness. And there was no time. In a moment nimble Mongol war barges were riding between, then larger vessels, trying like wolves to find the weak merchant junks… crossbow bolts and catapult-hurled bombs flew. Jets of naptha fell upon enemy ships so that they burned fiercely.’ The contrast between the goings-on within the city and those beyond the heavily-defended ramparts are stark. “Because the night was mild they sat round the apricot tree, which Guang had festooned with paper lanterns.’ These two worlds and their collisions keep the reader gripped until the final chapter.