Superb. Full of violence and real emotion. The main character Beobrand is a flawed hero but shows real self knowledge and I’m sure he will undergo majSuperb. Full of violence and real emotion. The main character Beobrand is a flawed hero but shows real self knowledge and I’m sure he will undergo major character development as the series goes on. ...more
I had this sitting on my Audible bookshelf for quite a while. I thought it sounded a bit dull: I’d heard of St Dunstan and I thought he might be a litI had this sitting on my Audible bookshelf for quite a while. I thought it sounded a bit dull: I’d heard of St Dunstan and I thought he might be a little bit - well, holy..
Not a bit of it! This was a fantastic account of the many adventures of a not particularly saintly man, set in the 10th century England. Dunstan worked for many kings and he was a man of influence. He was a pragmatic chap and sometimes felt that bad things might have to be done for ultimate good.
I listened to this on Audible, a first for me. The narrator Matt Bates was excellent, a convincing voice for Uhtred. As to Uhtred, what a man! A pagan I listened to this on Audible, a first for me. The narrator Matt Bates was excellent, a convincing voice for Uhtred. As to Uhtred, what a man! A pagan but unlike many other warlords a thoroughly great bloke, not cruel even though fierce, a superb leader of men, down to earth, decent and even humourous at times. An excellent and satisfying book....more
This is an excellent translation; the language is beautiful and the 'heroic' terminology suits the subject matter. My favourite line was, 'he unlockedThis is an excellent translation; the language is beautiful and the 'heroic' terminology suits the subject matter. My favourite line was, 'he unlocked his word hoard' i.e. he prepared to speak. Lovely.
As a keen student of all things Anglo Saxon, I was taken aback by the juxtaposition of references to the Christian God with the heroic Warrior culture of the protagonists; I assumed that the pagan gods would feature in this epic poem; certainly, Beowulf wants to be given an appropriately pagan send off on his death, i.e. giant funeral pyre as befits his kingly status together with valuable grave goods and sword etc. This was a feature of the Scandinavian culture where the story is set as well as early Anglo Saxon culture. I can only surmise that this poem was written in England after most of the ASs had become Christians which resulted in this slightly strange melding of two opposing cultures.
Great poem; I plan to reread it and I expect i will give it a higher rating next time as I will be able to concentrate more on the language and less on understanding the narrative. ...more
**spoiler alert** I read this novel a couple of years ago.
I'm really interested in the England of the 'Dark Ages' and also the development of Christia**spoiler alert** I read this novel a couple of years ago.
I'm really interested in the England of the 'Dark Ages' and also the development of Christian belief in this country. The book started off well and even now I can vividly remember the scenes around Bega's (the main protagonist) wedding, especially the violent rape of her maid by her prospective bridegroom and his subsequent demise...
However, once Bega and the love of her life, Padric, make it to England, I found myself increasingly irritated by the overly saintly heroine and her determination to live a celibate life. She is probably one of the most infuriating characters I have come across in an otherwise interesting backdrop. Why on earth couldn't she live a good Christian life while married to the man who loves her and while raising their children?! Silly, silly girl.
I also think the book could have been a LOT shorter; it dragged on far too long....more
I found this really difficult to read, not because of the writing which was very good, but because of the subject matter. Having studied the Anglo-SaxI found this really difficult to read, not because of the writing which was very good, but because of the subject matter. Having studied the Anglo-Saxons and admiring the way they structured their society, it was depressing to know how the story ends; with the brutish Normans coming and imposing their very different, tyrannical rule on a defeated people whom they despised.
My feelings of sadness were probably exacerbated by Julian Rathbone's obvious admiration for the English king Harold and the main protagonist/narrator Walt, and by his negative account of William the Bastard's character; however, I suspect that this is a fairly accurate picture.
Very enjoyable, I love the setting of the so-called Dark Ages in England, although I didn't find it quite as satisfying as the "Uhtred" novels by BernVery enjoyable, I love the setting of the so-called Dark Ages in England, although I didn't find it quite as satisfying as the "Uhtred" novels by Bernard Cornwell. Whitworth writes a good story but she leaves out much of the brutality of the time; at times I found myself thinking that this would be a suitable book for introducing younger readers to Anglo-Saxon England. Overall fun, but give me Bernard Cornwell's blood-soaked fiction any day......more
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