The
Last Kingdom
By
Bernard Cornwell
Alfred
The Great is mostly famous for burning the cakes, an apocryphal
addition to the life of England’s first real king. Bernard
Cornwell gives readers his own unique twist on the tale in this
thought-provoking, multi-layered novel. Uhtred is the rightful Earl
of Northumberland, but when he was only ten the Danes came and killed
his family. He was adopted by Earl Ragnar, and enjoyed a rough and
tumble childhood with this lively family - but he still considered
himself English at heart. Following many adventures, he finds himself
on the English side once again and in the train of Alfred. Now he
will discover where his true loyalty lies…or is it as simple
as that?
Not in this book it isn’t. If
you are expecting nasty brutish Danes wearing horned helmets versus
upright, brave English led by a heroic Alfred then you are going
to be disappointed…or very pleased! I was the latter, although
at times the English just weren’t sympathetic enough and the
sickly, pious but sneaky Alfred was quite an eye-opener. It will
be fascinating indeed to see how he develops in the next book, and
quite a task to make him even appealing. Uhtred is a marvellous
narrator, and gives a keen eyewitness account of events with plenty
of comments on the people involved rather in the manner of Flashman.
From a boisterous boyhood among the pagan Danes to the shield wall
at Cynuit hillfort he takes in descriptions of places all over England.
He has the outlook of how one might imagine a man of his time and
circumstances slightly tweaked for modern readers; taking people
as they come and valuing bravery above learning, and practicality
above superstition. Paganism looks inviting in this book, and Christianity
seems to have little appeal and is shown in a poor light - but that
is due to the narrator and opens a window into the Dark Ages which
I didn’t want to close. Compulsive reading!
|
The
Book |
Harper Collins |
4 October 2004 |
Hardback |
0007149905 |
Historical Fiction [866 Various Locations in UK] |
More
at Amazon.com |
Excerpt
|
NOTE:
Battle scenes |
The
Reviewer |
Rachel A Hyde |
Reviewed
2005 |
NOTE:
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