The Last Kingdom (Alfred the Great 1) |
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Bernard Cornwell
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Pages: 496 (Paperback)
ISBN: 000721801X
Pub: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Pub date: 2005-10-03
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 846
Editorial Review:
Does the fact that the The Last Kingdom inaugurates yet another series from Bernard Cornwell fill you with anticipation--or trepidation? His immensely popular Sharpe novels are, of course, the bedrock of the author's popularity. But when readers learned that he was to abandon the redoubtable Sharpe for a Grail Quest series, there were those who invoked the `if isn't broke, why fix it?' rule. However, when Cornwell proved himself equally adept at conjuring a world of knights and savage combat, his Grail Quest series (the first book of which was Harlequin) soon established itself as another Cornwell winner.
And here's yet another series from the protean writer. Do we really need it? Yes, we do--it's a safe bet that The Last Kingdom will prove that the author is seemingly capable of beginning an endless run of new novel sequences. As well as the impeccably plotted narrative, Cornwell has other fish to fry here: nothing less than a totally fresh look at a historical figure we think we know: Alfred the Great. Cornwell's protagonist is Uhtred, caught in the conflict between the Danes and the English in the ninth century. He is born into the English aristocracy, but loses his parents at the age of ten and is raised in Viking fashion by a Dane. When massacres reign down on both sides, Uhtred is torn between his loyalties--and when his family disappears, a reckoning with a Viking chieftain is in the offing.
Behind all this is the King, Alfred: complex, conflicted, and by no means the figure that the conventional history books render him. All of the customary Cornwell virtues are fully on display here.--Barry Forshaw
Reader Reviews:
FANTASTIC, AMAZING, YOU MUST READ IT!!!!!!!!!!! (0/0 people found this helpful)
In a clash of heroes, a kingdom is born, and that kingdom is England. This story is based on real events and exellent research. Set in the 9th century this tells the story of England in the making when the 4 Christian Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England were struggling for survival against the Pagan Vikings. This tells the story of Uhtred,a 10yr old english kid who is destined to be King Alfred's greatest warrior. At the age of 10 Uhtred's family is slaughtered by Vikings and he is raised as a Pagan and trained as a warrior. But Uhtred is torn between his fellow Saxons and the Danes that raised him, but destiny is everything. And he soon finds himself fighting the greatest of the Vikings for a King that doesnt like him or trust him.(I dont want to say too much as this book is full of twists and suprises). This is the best book iv ever read and im looking forward to reading the entire series. It is so brilliantly written that i quickly got engrossed into the story and the characters are amazing, the author makes you care about them, its very violent, anti-christian, pro pagan, pro viking, pro english and it really brings the anglo-saxon period ALIVE and makes you feel you are really there. I cant recommend this book enough, it is fantastic.
After the Grail Quest, Cornwell returns to England's early history with the Last Kingdom (2/4 people found this helpful)
The novel's ninth century setting encourages immediate comparison with his finest work, The Winter King, but in truth the two books are very different. The forlorn tone of his Authurian masterpiece is not present, though the formula remains the same, 1st person narrative as the novel's main character, Uhtred, looks back over his early life and his initial meetings with Alfred.
The novel is packed with Cornwell's trademark blow by blow battles, his skill as a novelist forces you to stand shoulder to shoulder in the Shieldwall and experience the excitement, feat and exhiliration of early medieval conflict.
The character of Uhtred is not dissimilar to Derfel Cadarn, the tale beginning when he is a boy and documents his trials and tribulations as he grows to become a warrior. There are plenty of other interesting characters, Danish warrior kings, Ealdormen, priests and the unusually hard to like Alfred. I am interested to see where Cornwell goes with his characterisation of England's greatest monarch and hero, Alfred, the only English king to be granted the title, Great.
A good start to a new series, but for me it lacks that emotional attachment of the Warlord Chronicles. The plot kept me interested to the end, as do all his novels, and it was fantatsic to see this excellent author writing about my home town (Wareham) in one of his novels.
I would also recommend, if you missed reading Tino Georgiou's masterpiece--The Fates, go and read it. I look forward to the next installment of this series and would recommend the volume to those who have enjoyed his books in the past and to anyone who enjoys a good tale.
Cornwell's start to a new epic (1/2 people found this helpful)
I'll admit that I write this review having now read this, this start of Cornwell's C9th saga, for the second time. I loved the first reading but I can be more objective this time round. Volume 1 introduces us to Uhtred, a Northumbrian who finds himself 'adopted' by the Danes and introduces us to the characters who will shape these formative volumes. Uhtred is a great character, his flaws give these tales great twists while his strengths leaves us wanting so much more from him.
If you enjoyed the Warlord series following the tale of Arthur then you will surely enjoy these following the life of King Alfred through Uhtred's adventures. The style and period are not too far apart and you can see how the earlier Warlord series has shaped this.
As usual the characterisation is engaging and historically accurate (as accurate as you can be for a novel of relative fiction). The story runs along at pace and Cornwell's skill lies in weaving the sights and smells of the time with a story that lifts and drops with equal measure. The series grows with each volume but a 4 star rating for the first reflects that this is as good as any Cornwell novel.
THE VIKINGS ARE HERE! (0/1 people found this helpful)
The Saxons are in dire straits with the Vikings determined to settle in the lush fields of England.
In Part 1 of The Alfred series, the central character is the 9 year old Osbert from Northumbria who is the second son of Lord Uhtred who lives in the impregnable fortress Bebbanburg in 866AD. Or he did until the Vikings arrived.
The destiny of Osbert is intertwined with the Vikings. He is taken captive and has to fight to survive as a slave in the household of Ragnar. What happens over the next 10 years? Pick up the book and find out, you will not be disappointed.
BRILLIANT READ. I read over 100 pages before I had to put it down. I am now enjoying part 2: The Pale Horseman. Probably best to get both at the same time!
Bernard Cornwell at his best. (0/0 people found this helpful)
Having been a great fan of Bernard Cornwell since the days of Sharpe, I was worried that this series may be a bit thin on the ground in terms of new ideas and page turning entertainment. However with The Last Kingdom, Cornwell got off to a terrific start. As with all his novels this is incredibly easy to read, never will you feel that you want to put this book down and watch a bit of telly!
I strongly recommend this for anyone who is fan of Cornwell or historical novels in general. It's terrifically well written and researched and although the author does embellish the truth a little a times, I feel that this is only done to improve the tale and should therefore be indulged by the reader.
This series will tell the life of Alfred the Great, from the point of view of the central character Uhtred of Bebbanburg. The Last Kingdom follows Uhtred from childhood in Northumbria, to life with the Vikings and finally to reluctant service under Alfred.
With this novel, Cornwell (as ever) does not dissapoint - a thoroughly enjoyable read and I can't wait for the rest of the series!
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Books -> Subjects -> Fiction -> General
Books -> Subjects -> Fiction -> Authors, A-Z -> C -> Cornwell, Bernard -> Paperback
Books -> Subjects -> Fiction -> Historical
Books -> Subjects -> Young Adult -> History & Historical Fiction -> Historical Fiction
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Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Paperback
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