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The Forest Dwellers
Ytene, England 1078 - twelve years after the Norman Conquest. When Ælf and Leo encounter a trio of Normans molesting Alys, a forest girl fairer than any they have ever seen, they stop the attack in the only way they can ... violently. The resulting social upheaval tears the family apart and will end only with the death of a king. The Forest Dwellers is a story of oppression, sexual manipulation and revenge.
324 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2011
About the author
Judith Arnopp
50 books231 followers.A lifelong history enthusiast and avid reader, Judith holds a BA in English/Creative writing and an MA in Medieval Studies.
She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction based in the Medieval and Tudor period. Her main focus is on the perspective of historical women but she is currently writing a novel from a male perspective, that of Henry VIII himself.
Her novels include:
A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, the Aragon Years
A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix
The Heretic Wind: the life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England
Sisters of Arden: on the Pilgrimage of Grace
The Beaufort Bride: Book one of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Beaufort Woman: Book two of The Beaufort Chronicle
The King’s Mother: Book three of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Winchester Goose: at the Court of Henry VIII
A Song of Sixpence: the story of Elizabeth of York
Intractable Heart: the story of Katheryn Parr
The Kiss of the Concubine: a story of Anne Boleyn
The Song of Heledd
The Forest Dwellers
Peaceweaver
Judith is also a founder member of a re-enactment group called The Fyne Companye of Cambria, and makes historical garments both for the group and others. She is not professionally trained but through trial, error and determination has learned how to make authentic looking, if not strictly HA, clothing.
Her non-fiction book, How to Dress Like a Tudor will be published by Pen and Sword in 2023,
You can find her group Tudor Handmaid on Facebook. You can also find her on Twitter and Instagram.
Webpage: www.judithmarnopp.com
Author page: author.to/juditharnoppbooks
Blog: http://juditharnoppnovelist.blogspot....
For more information please visit my website: www.judithmarnopp.com
author.to/juditharnoppbooks
She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction based in the Medieval and Tudor period. Her main focus is on the perspective of historical women but she is currently writing a novel from a male perspective, that of Henry VIII himself.
Her novels include:
A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, the Aragon Years
A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix
The Heretic Wind: the life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England
Sisters of Arden: on the Pilgrimage of Grace
The Beaufort Bride: Book one of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Beaufort Woman: Book two of The Beaufort Chronicle
The King’s Mother: Book three of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Winchester Goose: at the Court of Henry VIII
A Song of Sixpence: the story of Elizabeth of York
Intractable Heart: the story of Katheryn Parr
The Kiss of the Concubine: a story of Anne Boleyn
The Song of Heledd
The Forest Dwellers
Peaceweaver
Judith is also a founder member of a re-enactment group called The Fyne Companye of Cambria, and makes historical garments both for the group and others. She is not professionally trained but through trial, error and determination has learned how to make authentic looking, if not strictly HA, clothing.
Her non-fiction book, How to Dress Like a Tudor will be published by Pen and Sword in 2023,
You can find her group Tudor Handmaid on Facebook. You can also find her on Twitter and Instagram.
Webpage: www.judithmarnopp.com
Author page: author.to/juditharnoppbooks
Blog: http://juditharnoppnovelist.blogspot....
For more information please visit my website: www.judithmarnopp.com
author.to/juditharnoppbooks
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 15, 2021
I really liked it. It was Norman historical with a new twist. The story is told by different characters at different times. The story was well written and never boring. I was able to predict certain parts but that was bc I knew my history of King William Rufus. A good read!
April 2, 2013
Mesmerizing and immersive, The Forest Dwellers by Judith Arnopp is an incisive look into the lives of the people of Ytene, a Saxon holding seized by Norman usurpers for William the Conqueror’s personal use. It is a richly painted portrait of their daily existence that begins with an assault on Alys—a young woman of mixed blood, possessed of a rare and ethereal beauty—and follows her through subsequent periods of serenity, hardship, humiliation, and triumph.
Arnopp is blessed with natural flowing prose and the ability to craft an engaging and well-rounded story told from varying viewpoints. The narratives transition smoothly from one to the next without a sense of staleness or repetition. Although the foundation of the story is historical, this version is told from a refreshing new perspective with much action and tenderness, humor and sadness, and many surprising twists. Simply put, this is everything I desire in a book, and I eagerly look forward to more from this author.
Arnopp is blessed with natural flowing prose and the ability to craft an engaging and well-rounded story told from varying viewpoints. The narratives transition smoothly from one to the next without a sense of staleness or repetition. Although the foundation of the story is historical, this version is told from a refreshing new perspective with much action and tenderness, humor and sadness, and many surprising twists. Simply put, this is everything I desire in a book, and I eagerly look forward to more from this author.
November 10, 2011
This intriguing and well-written book charts the fortunes of those making their living from the New Forest in Southern England, during the years following the Norman Invasion. Few can imagine what life was like then, scraping the means to survive from what the Forest could produce. It was a harsh way of life, but it did provide. Until that is, William the Conqueror decides to turn the Forest into his own, private hunting ground. Now, the forest people are not even allowed to gather berries, let alone kill a deer, under pain of death. Now, they are persecuted, exploited and abused, seen as no more than the animals hunted by the King.
Cleverly written from the viewpoints of several characters, The Forest Dwellers provides a privileged insight into the lives of Ælf and her brothers, the beautiful Alys, Thurrold, squire to Sir Walter Tyrell, and the Conqueror’s son, King William Rufus. Judith Arnopp effortlessly recreates the atmosphere of the 1070’s and casts a speculative light on an age-old mystery – who, exactly, killed William Rufus that fateful day in the Forest?
Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction.
Cleverly written from the viewpoints of several characters, The Forest Dwellers provides a privileged insight into the lives of Ælf and her brothers, the beautiful Alys, Thurrold, squire to Sir Walter Tyrell, and the Conqueror’s son, King William Rufus. Judith Arnopp effortlessly recreates the atmosphere of the 1070’s and casts a speculative light on an age-old mystery – who, exactly, killed William Rufus that fateful day in the Forest?
Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction.
November 20, 2017
This was a re-read which did not work that way.. So another 5 star review for one of my first Kindle books and finding this great author.
November 12, 2011
Set in 11th century England after the Norman conquest, The Forest Dwellers is a fictional account of the death of William the Conqueror’s sons, and employs a host of different points of view to tell the story. There is beautiful Alys, willing concubine to men she believes will protect her in difficult times; Aelf, a young archer, who hides an intriguing secret, and openly hates the Normans; Leo, Thurold, Giles and Tyrell, all with fascinating stories to tell which interweave with one another in interesting ways. Almost all of the characters are endearing, and those who aren’t are intriguing.
There were times in this book when I felt bewildering by events, as I didn’t have all the facts at hand, but as I read on, I learned what I needed to know in a much more natural way than is possible in a single-point-of-view novel. As each protagonist’s story unfolded, the gaps in another’s tale were filled in. I found this approach gave me a multi-dimensional understanding of both the characters and the events of the story.
The structure of the novel puts the reader in a privileged position, and I often felt as I though I understood the characters better than they understood each other. I was privy to Alys’s private thoughts in ways that Aelf, for instance, was not, and therefore I could feel compassion for her when Aelf did not, while simultaneously understanding Aelf’s moral stance. Often, the variety of angles on the same events deepened my understanding of them, allowing me to empathize with each character, while getting the “big picture” and thus seeing the flaws in each character’s more narrow point of view.
I love the earthy language and the sly humour in parts of this novel; I also found the descriptions extremely well done and the historical background well researched. The story moves along at a good clip, and is full of interesting action and events; in fact, the one criticism I have is that sometimes the pace was too fast, and the move from one event to another too quick to do justice to the characters. In other words, I wanted more background on their motivations, questions and thoughts.
All in all, a fascinating and absorbing read.
There were times in this book when I felt bewildering by events, as I didn’t have all the facts at hand, but as I read on, I learned what I needed to know in a much more natural way than is possible in a single-point-of-view novel. As each protagonist’s story unfolded, the gaps in another’s tale were filled in. I found this approach gave me a multi-dimensional understanding of both the characters and the events of the story.
The structure of the novel puts the reader in a privileged position, and I often felt as I though I understood the characters better than they understood each other. I was privy to Alys’s private thoughts in ways that Aelf, for instance, was not, and therefore I could feel compassion for her when Aelf did not, while simultaneously understanding Aelf’s moral stance. Often, the variety of angles on the same events deepened my understanding of them, allowing me to empathize with each character, while getting the “big picture” and thus seeing the flaws in each character’s more narrow point of view.
I love the earthy language and the sly humour in parts of this novel; I also found the descriptions extremely well done and the historical background well researched. The story moves along at a good clip, and is full of interesting action and events; in fact, the one criticism I have is that sometimes the pace was too fast, and the move from one event to another too quick to do justice to the characters. In other words, I wanted more background on their motivations, questions and thoughts.
All in all, a fascinating and absorbing read.
February 22, 2012
I love works of historical fiction and I was eager to read about the time just after William the Conqueror and his Normans invaded England from the Saxon perspective. Judith Arnopp's The Forest Dwellers did not disappoint. There is adventure, sadness, danger, betrayal, and love all leading up to one of English history's most famous mysteries: Who killed William Rufus?
The story is told first person from several characters' perspectives. It begins with a small little put together family of young people who have lost their parents to war and living as a conquered people. They are the Saxons who live in King William I's New Forest and must eek out an existence under the new harsh forest laws. They try to fight to regain the forest home that they have lost, but it fails and they go through many hardships. This is a story of loss, but it is also the story of their survival and that of some of the Norman's closely related to their tale.
The characters include both fictitious and real characters blended together in a nice story. We don't know what many of the real people are like, but I think Judith writes us a pretty authentic picture. When reading the various character point's of view, its like the many facets of a gemstone. Each person's witness takes the story just a little further. I found myself liking and loving several of the characters and managed to despise those meant to be despised. A few of the characters just tugged at my heart, but I know the times were harsh.
The backdrop description of the Forest, the Environs, Winchester, and other places were well done. As were the daily life descriptions of the forest dwellers and the manor dwellers.
The Forest Dwellers is a well-written snapshot of the latter half of the Eleventh Century in Norman England. Really recommend for a historical fiction lover!
The story is told first person from several characters' perspectives. It begins with a small little put together family of young people who have lost their parents to war and living as a conquered people. They are the Saxons who live in King William I's New Forest and must eek out an existence under the new harsh forest laws. They try to fight to regain the forest home that they have lost, but it fails and they go through many hardships. This is a story of loss, but it is also the story of their survival and that of some of the Norman's closely related to their tale.
The characters include both fictitious and real characters blended together in a nice story. We don't know what many of the real people are like, but I think Judith writes us a pretty authentic picture. When reading the various character point's of view, its like the many facets of a gemstone. Each person's witness takes the story just a little further. I found myself liking and loving several of the characters and managed to despise those meant to be despised. A few of the characters just tugged at my heart, but I know the times were harsh.
The backdrop description of the Forest, the Environs, Winchester, and other places were well done. As were the daily life descriptions of the forest dwellers and the manor dwellers.
The Forest Dwellers is a well-written snapshot of the latter half of the Eleventh Century in Norman England. Really recommend for a historical fiction lover!
January 4, 2014
I am giving this book 3.5 stars but I would have given it a lot more had it been given a better edit. I know that this was one of Ms Arnopp's earlier tomes and although it is my first read of her work, I know she has moved on from this now. However this book shows her winning style and potential to become the amazing writer she is today as many people who have read and reviewed her work have testified.
The Forest Dwellers is a book of love, betrayal, vengeance and eventual happiness and is cleverly told from the viewpoints of all the main protagonists. I loved this method of story telling and think that Arnopp was on to a winner there. although it is Historical Fiction, it is not necessarily accurate in detail but does follow basic facts and the author cleverly weaves the story of William Rufus' death hunting in the New Forest into the fictional part of the story. She also supplies the reader with an historical note which is a must in my opinion.
Judith's style has a lyrical ring to it and at times i drew breath and thought, "Wow, that was an excellent piece of writing." Reading this book for me has left me with a desire to read more of her work - which i shall be. My never ending TBR just gets bigger.
The Forest Dwellers is a book of love, betrayal, vengeance and eventual happiness and is cleverly told from the viewpoints of all the main protagonists. I loved this method of story telling and think that Arnopp was on to a winner there. although it is Historical Fiction, it is not necessarily accurate in detail but does follow basic facts and the author cleverly weaves the story of William Rufus' death hunting in the New Forest into the fictional part of the story. She also supplies the reader with an historical note which is a must in my opinion.
Judith's style has a lyrical ring to it and at times i drew breath and thought, "Wow, that was an excellent piece of writing." Reading this book for me has left me with a desire to read more of her work - which i shall be. My never ending TBR just gets bigger.
July 10, 2020
3.5 stars might be more accurate. While I'm a fan of Judith Arnopp, I found more flaws in this book than in her others.
On the plus side, I liked steeping myself in the Anglo-Norman-Saxon world of the 1000s -- beginning with the rule of William I and ending with Henry I. It's a time period I know little about. Arnopp shows the perspective of the vanquished Saxons and their resentments towards the invading Normans. And the divide between those with plenty and those with nothing is sharp.
The author divides the book into sections, each narrated by a different viewpoint, which I found interesting. While taken together all the different stories are linked into one overall story, sometimes you get to see a similar event from two vantage points or discover something about what was going on in one person's mind that another did not know. And I found that one character that appeared to be a hero turned out to be less so when I got to know his inner thoughts.
On the minus side, the book clearly acknowledges that it is also about sexual exploitation. About the ways women were considered property, spoils of war, and objects to be used and abandoned. The same for attractive young men powerless to reject the advances of more powerful men. And then there are women who are widowed who, unable to work or own property, must sell their bodies to survive. I understand these things were standard at this time (and for hundreds of years after) but some of these passages were difficult to read.
Overall, I enjoyed the emersion into this unfamiliar time period. And the way the novel was structured. But I felt a lack of clear purpose in the narrative and felt the ending fell flat.
On the plus side, I liked steeping myself in the Anglo-Norman-Saxon world of the 1000s -- beginning with the rule of William I and ending with Henry I. It's a time period I know little about. Arnopp shows the perspective of the vanquished Saxons and their resentments towards the invading Normans. And the divide between those with plenty and those with nothing is sharp.
The author divides the book into sections, each narrated by a different viewpoint, which I found interesting. While taken together all the different stories are linked into one overall story, sometimes you get to see a similar event from two vantage points or discover something about what was going on in one person's mind that another did not know. And I found that one character that appeared to be a hero turned out to be less so when I got to know his inner thoughts.
On the minus side, the book clearly acknowledges that it is also about sexual exploitation. About the ways women were considered property, spoils of war, and objects to be used and abandoned. The same for attractive young men powerless to reject the advances of more powerful men. And then there are women who are widowed who, unable to work or own property, must sell their bodies to survive. I understand these things were standard at this time (and for hundreds of years after) but some of these passages were difficult to read.
Overall, I enjoyed the emersion into this unfamiliar time period. And the way the novel was structured. But I felt a lack of clear purpose in the narrative and felt the ending fell flat.
October 4, 2026
The format of this book was not what I expected, in a very good way. The story is told from the point of view of several of the characters starting with Ælf, younger sibling of Leo. The first half takes place over a short period of time, with much detail, and then about half way through it moves swiftly on. This took me by surprise but I soon understood that the earlier time period had to be told in more detail to make the broader view of the second half work so well. From about a third of the way through I was dying to know who killed William Rufus and why - when the answer arrives, it's a beautifully thought out take on a question discussed by historians for centuries.
I loved the detail about Saxon life, especially about the forest dwellers themselves. Made me long to time travel even more than usual. Suffice to say I was engrossed all the way through. My favourite characters were Leo, Thurrold and Tyrell.
This is one of Judith Arnopp's earlier books, but it's all still here. The way you know the character immediately he or she opens his mouth, the flowing storylines, the research and love for the time, the accessibility of her writing style. Highly recommended!
I loved the detail about Saxon life, especially about the forest dwellers themselves. Made me long to time travel even more than usual. Suffice to say I was engrossed all the way through. My favourite characters were Leo, Thurrold and Tyrell.
This is one of Judith Arnopp's earlier books, but it's all still here. The way you know the character immediately he or she opens his mouth, the flowing storylines, the research and love for the time, the accessibility of her writing style. Highly recommended!
January 25, 2025
A New Perspective
I enjoyed this book very much. It tells of a different viewpoint of a time that I have some prior knowledge. This story tells the story from the viewpoint of the everyday Saxon people during the time of the Norman conquest. All of the books that I had read so far regarding that period of history were about the effect of the Norman conquest on the upper Saxon class. The tale of the death of the Norman king, Rufus, historically shrouded in mystery, is creatively crafted.
I enjoyed this book very much. It tells of a different viewpoint of a time that I have some prior knowledge. This story tells the story from the viewpoint of the everyday Saxon people during the time of the Norman conquest. All of the books that I had read so far regarding that period of history were about the effect of the Norman conquest on the upper Saxon class. The tale of the death of the Norman king, Rufus, historically shrouded in mystery, is creatively crafted.
March 15, 2020
Fantastic
It took me a long time trying to find a good book. Many started but could not finish when i came along this book. I was not sure I would like it. Once started I couldn't put it down. Amazing how it's been written the characters really come to life. Enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more from this Author !
It took me a long time trying to find a good book. Many started but could not finish when i came along this book. I was not sure I would like it. Once started I couldn't put it down. Amazing how it's been written the characters really come to life. Enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more from this Author !
May 22, 2021
Excellent
Loved it full of everything, the tragic life of people of the 11c, plenty of revenge, plots, twists and turns, great fiction and facts, I highly recommend it to medieval readers, looking forward to the rest of her work.
Loved it full of everything, the tragic life of people of the 11c, plenty of revenge, plots, twists and turns, great fiction and facts, I highly recommend it to medieval readers, looking forward to the rest of her work.
September 24, 2021
Excellent story told from many points of view
The author did an exceptional job of taking two historical events and woving fictional characters around them. The author also presented the story from many characters' point of view. I could not wait for the next chapter.
The author did an exceptional job of taking two historical events and woving fictional characters around them. The author also presented the story from many characters' point of view. I could not wait for the next chapter.
July 1, 2018
Fantastic tale
I've read this book several times. I love the way the story evolves around the characters. I'd love to read more about this period from the same author. Please
I've read this book several times. I love the way the story evolves around the characters. I'd love to read more about this period from the same author. Please
September 3, 2020
excellent novel dealing with King William Rufus and the inhabitants of the New Forest.
May 16, 2021
Couldn’t really get into this book. I like the premise and the period of history. I’ll put it aside and try again at a later date.
March 18, 2022
Brilliant.
I couldn’t put it down. A great storyline . You can almost imagine yourself there with the characters. A really good read.
I couldn’t put it down. A great storyline . You can almost imagine yourself there with the characters. A really good read.
October 23, 2012
The Forest Dwellers chronicles the lives of the common people 11 years after the Battle of Hastings. The Normans not only conquered Harold, they pillaged the land and subjugated the people.
The forest dwellers have lived in the forest for generations, growing crops, hunting small animals and building homesteads. William has decided the forest is solely his, for his hunting pleasure. The fences surrounding crops are torn down, berries and acorns are forbidden foods, firewood and turf for warmth is prohibited and, most important to the king, hunting wildlife or fishing is the greatest transgression. Hunting dogs large enough to run down venison must have their front claws and fangs removed.
All in all, the forest dwellers are reduced to extreme poverty, hunger, misery, living in hovels and the constant threat of the Normans destroying what little they have.
There is one common thread that runs through The Forest Dwellers: Alys. The daughter of a charcoal burner, she is rescued by brothers from certain rape by Normans. Leo, the oldest brother and head of the household, kills two of the Normans attacking her. They take her home to her father. Not longer after, she shows up at the brothers' holding and there she remains, saying her father was taken by the Normans for poaching.
Alys is different from other girls in the forest. She has blonde hair, beauty, the lithe body of a young girl and a sensuality she knows how to optimize. She captivates all the brothers' attention but saves her attentions for Leo. Alys is a practical girl, knowing her body and sensual skills are her best options for survival. Abused by her father, she expects no different from any other man. In fact, she purposely chooses her lovers based on what side of the bread the butter is lathered. The Forest Dwellers begins and ends with Alys.
The Normans, refusing to give up their quest for the slayer of the two would-be rapists, eventually discover Leo is the culprit and come to arrest him. Fortunately, Leo is not home at the time, however, the youngest, AElf, and Alys, are and must survive on their own. In their flight from the Normans, AElf and Alys leave behind another 2 dead Normans, along with another bleeding and presumably not long for the world. They have left the king's son, Richard, to die. A brother leads AElf and Alys, with their meager possessions, deep into the forest to an encampment of dispossessed forest dwellers. Leo eventually finds them.
A plan is hatched to regain their lands from the Normans, but the forest dwellers are untrained fighters and lack equipment. The outcome is inexorable. The Normans win the battle, defeating the forest dwellers lead by Leo, handily. AElf's brothers perish, with Leo dragged off the field by a bolting horse. Alys and AElf are all that remain to each other when the Normans inevitably claim the rebellers as slaves.
Not is all as it seems in The Forest Dwellers. There are hidden truths and personal agendas. Disagreements over loyalty strain relationships. Distrust is rampant and near impossible to overcome. Such are the lives of The Forest Dwellers under the rule of the Normans.
The Forest Dwellers is written in an unusual method, through the first person point of view of various characters. At times when a new character takes over the story, there will be a repetition of previous events from that character's point of view. Sometimes, the new character simply carries on with the story.
For me, the plot felt disjointed by the overlapping or changing point of views. It was difficult to become engaged by any one particular character, as he or she was not on the stage long. After realizing the entire novel was written in this manner, I stopped attempting to get into a character's psyche. This is a tough plot device to pull off successfully. I've read a few other novels written in the same fashion and finished feeling the same way: somewhat ripped off because I never had the opportunity to get to know any one character indepth.
Judith Arnopp is an excellent writer, but her skill could not overcome the plot disparity.
The forest dwellers have lived in the forest for generations, growing crops, hunting small animals and building homesteads. William has decided the forest is solely his, for his hunting pleasure. The fences surrounding crops are torn down, berries and acorns are forbidden foods, firewood and turf for warmth is prohibited and, most important to the king, hunting wildlife or fishing is the greatest transgression. Hunting dogs large enough to run down venison must have their front claws and fangs removed.
All in all, the forest dwellers are reduced to extreme poverty, hunger, misery, living in hovels and the constant threat of the Normans destroying what little they have.
There is one common thread that runs through The Forest Dwellers: Alys. The daughter of a charcoal burner, she is rescued by brothers from certain rape by Normans. Leo, the oldest brother and head of the household, kills two of the Normans attacking her. They take her home to her father. Not longer after, she shows up at the brothers' holding and there she remains, saying her father was taken by the Normans for poaching.
Alys is different from other girls in the forest. She has blonde hair, beauty, the lithe body of a young girl and a sensuality she knows how to optimize. She captivates all the brothers' attention but saves her attentions for Leo. Alys is a practical girl, knowing her body and sensual skills are her best options for survival. Abused by her father, she expects no different from any other man. In fact, she purposely chooses her lovers based on what side of the bread the butter is lathered. The Forest Dwellers begins and ends with Alys.
The Normans, refusing to give up their quest for the slayer of the two would-be rapists, eventually discover Leo is the culprit and come to arrest him. Fortunately, Leo is not home at the time, however, the youngest, AElf, and Alys, are and must survive on their own. In their flight from the Normans, AElf and Alys leave behind another 2 dead Normans, along with another bleeding and presumably not long for the world. They have left the king's son, Richard, to die. A brother leads AElf and Alys, with their meager possessions, deep into the forest to an encampment of dispossessed forest dwellers. Leo eventually finds them.
A plan is hatched to regain their lands from the Normans, but the forest dwellers are untrained fighters and lack equipment. The outcome is inexorable. The Normans win the battle, defeating the forest dwellers lead by Leo, handily. AElf's brothers perish, with Leo dragged off the field by a bolting horse. Alys and AElf are all that remain to each other when the Normans inevitably claim the rebellers as slaves.
Not is all as it seems in The Forest Dwellers. There are hidden truths and personal agendas. Disagreements over loyalty strain relationships. Distrust is rampant and near impossible to overcome. Such are the lives of The Forest Dwellers under the rule of the Normans.
The Forest Dwellers is written in an unusual method, through the first person point of view of various characters. At times when a new character takes over the story, there will be a repetition of previous events from that character's point of view. Sometimes, the new character simply carries on with the story.
For me, the plot felt disjointed by the overlapping or changing point of views. It was difficult to become engaged by any one particular character, as he or she was not on the stage long. After realizing the entire novel was written in this manner, I stopped attempting to get into a character's psyche. This is a tough plot device to pull off successfully. I've read a few other novels written in the same fashion and finished feeling the same way: somewhat ripped off because I never had the opportunity to get to know any one character indepth.
Judith Arnopp is an excellent writer, but her skill could not overcome the plot disparity.
January 28, 2026
‘The Forest Dwellers’ is comprised of multi-first-person narrators relating a fictitious storyline with real events in the background.
I do like a forest setting, and all scenes among the trees are expertly brought to life. Much of the second half of the book, however, is not set in a forest.
With the main characters’ stories being linked together, a change in narrator often results in backtracking over events already passed over and retold from a different perspective. Sometimes this works well, whereas other times details are ‘told’, not ‘shown’, via explanation instead of dramatisation, which results in a dry read. Also, suspense isn’t evident because the reader knows what’s happened; only the perspective is different. Therefore, I would’ve preferred a third-person omniscient narrator to keep the narrative linear and avoid repetition.
The story does have it’s fair share of drama and suspense, though, and I found myself engaged more often than not. A few surprises stopped me in my tracks, making me exclaim aloud along the lines of, ‘I didn’t see that coming.’
The author does a good job not only with characterisation but with the narrating characters’ voices. Naturally, some are more appealing than others. Thurrold the squire was my favourite narrator. My least favourite was Walter Tyrell who, unfortunatly for me, narrates the last chapter.
Here more than ever I wish it’d been a third-person narrator, as the ending is the driest and least engaging part of the book. Luckily, what goes before is pretty damn good, so while I’m disappointed with the ending, this doesn’t have a damaging effect on the story as a whole.
My only big criticism is this kind of thing: ‘you are níðing.’ Sometimes the context makes clear what an Old English word means, but I’ve still no clue how to pronounce it, and sometimes I was left altogether in the dark. It disrupts the narrative flow when faced with a foreign word, which I consider Old English to be as I don’t understand it. This therefore locks the reader out of the story for a moment, which is never a good thing.
Apart from the above criticisms, ‘The Forest Dwellers’ is a very good read. The author does a good job of recreating the eleventh century and her characters are vivid.
I do like a forest setting, and all scenes among the trees are expertly brought to life. Much of the second half of the book, however, is not set in a forest.
With the main characters’ stories being linked together, a change in narrator often results in backtracking over events already passed over and retold from a different perspective. Sometimes this works well, whereas other times details are ‘told’, not ‘shown’, via explanation instead of dramatisation, which results in a dry read. Also, suspense isn’t evident because the reader knows what’s happened; only the perspective is different. Therefore, I would’ve preferred a third-person omniscient narrator to keep the narrative linear and avoid repetition.
The story does have it’s fair share of drama and suspense, though, and I found myself engaged more often than not. A few surprises stopped me in my tracks, making me exclaim aloud along the lines of, ‘I didn’t see that coming.’
The author does a good job not only with characterisation but with the narrating characters’ voices. Naturally, some are more appealing than others. Thurrold the squire was my favourite narrator. My least favourite was Walter Tyrell who, unfortunatly for me, narrates the last chapter.
Here more than ever I wish it’d been a third-person narrator, as the ending is the driest and least engaging part of the book. Luckily, what goes before is pretty damn good, so while I’m disappointed with the ending, this doesn’t have a damaging effect on the story as a whole.
My only big criticism is this kind of thing: ‘you are níðing.’ Sometimes the context makes clear what an Old English word means, but I’ve still no clue how to pronounce it, and sometimes I was left altogether in the dark. It disrupts the narrative flow when faced with a foreign word, which I consider Old English to be as I don’t understand it. This therefore locks the reader out of the story for a moment, which is never a good thing.
Apart from the above criticisms, ‘The Forest Dwellers’ is a very good read. The author does a good job of recreating the eleventh century and her characters are vivid.
January 31, 2020
Interesting story. It starts out very detailed, but as time goes on, the story eases up to the point of skipping time without context. The end of the book was a bit disappointing, but understanding this was a fictional story taking on a real-life mystery, it provides an interesting take on the timeframe of William the Conqueror.
November 30, 2011
Having thoroughly enjoyed Judith Arnopp's work since reading 'Peaceweaver', I approached this book with enthusiasm. I was not disappointed. Once again Arnopp has demonstated her unerring ability to draw the reader into the novel with rich descriptions of surroundings and events, as well as well drawn and intriguing characters.
No matter how enthusiastic the reader may be for what we glibly call 'The Norman Conquest', we are forced to consider and come to understand more of the true horror of those times, and the far reaching and brutal effects upon the people of England. In this book, the population living in the forests comes under painstaking and intense scrutiny, as their old way of life is destroyed and they are forced to come to terms with the new regime.
The stories of Alys and Aelf, with Giles and Thurrold, Leo and Tyrrell, are revealed as they take over the story and tell us their own thoughts and feelings, and demonstrate their struggle to survive. Plans made do not usually come to fruition, as they come into conflict with the varied motives and entrenched interests of the time.
Arnopp weaves these stories togethere to make a delightful and intriguing read. She is an expert in portraying the earthy physical lifestyles and experiences of ordinary people, so that the reader almost feels the blows and stings of life.
Don't miss this enjoyable and reveasling read.
No matter how enthusiastic the reader may be for what we glibly call 'The Norman Conquest', we are forced to consider and come to understand more of the true horror of those times, and the far reaching and brutal effects upon the people of England. In this book, the population living in the forests comes under painstaking and intense scrutiny, as their old way of life is destroyed and they are forced to come to terms with the new regime.
The stories of Alys and Aelf, with Giles and Thurrold, Leo and Tyrrell, are revealed as they take over the story and tell us their own thoughts and feelings, and demonstrate their struggle to survive. Plans made do not usually come to fruition, as they come into conflict with the varied motives and entrenched interests of the time.
Arnopp weaves these stories togethere to make a delightful and intriguing read. She is an expert in portraying the earthy physical lifestyles and experiences of ordinary people, so that the reader almost feels the blows and stings of life.
Don't miss this enjoyable and reveasling read.
March 2, 2013
Judith Arnopp knows how to write a clever, engaging tale from multiple points of view. The period of history she covers here isn't one I'm terribly familiar with, but everything read as plausible: she was both informative and made the era sound interesting. I just wish she'd spent more time on the characters' internal lives. They were all such morally complex creatures that I felt it a pity we weren't privy to a greater exploration of their psyches. Ms Arnopp writes with such compassion that it seems an opportunity lost. Perhaps greater introspection would have slowed the excellent pace, but that's a trade-off I'd have been willing to see.
June 1, 2013
The Forest Dwellers is an exceedingly well written story, given from the perspectives of several characters, of a time in history not long before King Rufus was killed in the forest.
The descriptions are detailed and the whole story is very cleverly written - holes in one person's story are filled in by another and you end up with a very rounded picture.
Definitely recommended for fans of historical fiction.
The descriptions are detailed and the whole story is very cleverly written - holes in one person's story are filled in by another and you end up with a very rounded picture.
Definitely recommended for fans of historical fiction.
April 3, 2014
Good historical fiction
Great novel of the Norman invasion in the middle ages. Each chapter or section is the personal story of each individual character which gives a whole lot more to the tale than the average book. free download
Great novel of the Norman invasion in the middle ages. Each chapter or section is the personal story of each individual character which gives a whole lot more to the tale than the average book. free download
June 2, 2018
Hail for the forest dwellers
Loved this book. The stress the peasants are put under are just unbelievable compared to our easy lives. It is refreshing to read about the common folk for a change. Keep up the great work Judith
Loved this book. The stress the peasants are put under are just unbelievable compared to our easy lives. It is refreshing to read about the common folk for a change. Keep up the great work Judith
August 8, 2015
Really enjoying Judith Arnopp.
January 27, 2016
Could only give this Judith Arnopp novel 3 stars but it was still a pretty good yarn about one family's first generation of Saxons to grow up after the 11th century Norman invasion of England.
November 28, 2016
I really like Judith's writing and this book was enjoyable. I'm looking forward to reading her more recent works as well.
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