The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell
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| Title: The Last Kingdom Author: Bernard Cornwell Published: January 3rd 2006 Publisher: Harper Paperbacks Pages: 351 |
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Synopsis:
This is the story of the making of England in the 9th and 10th centuries, the years in which King Alfred the Great, his son and grandson defeated the Danish Vikings who had invaded and occupied three of England’s four kingdoms.The story is seen through the eyes of Uhtred, a dispossessed nobleman, who is captured as a child by the Danes and then raised by them so that, by the time the Northmen begin their assault on Wessex (Alfred’s kingdom and the last territory in English hands) Uhtred almost thinks of himself as a Dane. He certainly has no love for Alfred, whom he considers a pious weakling and no match for Viking savagery, yet when Alfred unexpectedly defeats the Danes and the Danes themselves turn on Uhtred, he is finally forced to choose sides. By now he is a young man, in love, trained to fight and ready to take his place in the dreaded shield wall. Above all, though, he wishes to recover his father’s land, the enchanting fort of Bebbanburg by the wild northern sea.
This thrilling adventure—based on existing records of Bernard Cornwell’s ancestors—depicts a time when law and order were ripped violently apart by a pagan assault on Christian England, an assault that came very close to destroying England.
My Review:
Destiny is all, Ravn liked to tell me, destiny is everything. He would even say it in English, “Wyrd biõ ful ãræd.
The period of the novel is between the years 866 and 877 in what is now known as England, but at the time was divided into four parts. The Danes had conquered three parts and were getting ready to take Wessex, the last bastion of the United Kingdom.
The book, written in the first person, tells the story of the young Uthred, the orphaned son of the Lord of Bebbanburgh who is captured at nine years old by the Danes and brought up like one of them by Ragnar. About halfway through we’re introduced to Alfred, and it is from this point we see the destinies of Uthred and Alfred are firmly tied.
Showing a promising courage and love of war even at a young age and by describing Uthred’s feeling, thinking and, action, Cornwell developed Uthred’s character into a full personality, one that was straightforward, courageous and fully capable.
The main characters are all heart thumping warriors that win you over instantly. I felt joy with their joys and sorrow at their losses.
Cornwell’s research of the era is so extraordinary that you can find yourself anywhere the plot takes you. The details of daily life and customs were fascinating. The battle scenes had my heart racing for their victories and the astonishing acts of betrayal and deceptions will blow your mind.
The thing I enjoy most about Cornwell’s book is that he incorporates actual history into them. There are real historical figures and places mixed in with some fictional ones as well.
Overall, the book was excellent in action, awesome, powerful dialogue, and realistic battle scenes. Cornwell’s characters were vivid, and engaging in their own ways, and there was enough humor to keep the plot from becoming too serious. Cornwell also did a great job in keeping the plot moving and excitement present throughout the novel.
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