What do you think?
Rate this book
Tapestry
In 1035 AD, a lame boy named Cuin escapes an assassin’s attack at the Duke of Normandy’s castle and spends the next decade developing into Normandy’s emissary to Flanders, Denmark, Norway, and England.
Though his true identity remains a mystery, Cuin trains with a local warrior-turned-hermit and travels through Flanders and Denmark as an ambassador. Relentlessly pursued by an assassin, he is aided by powerful friends who are close to the kings of England and Norway.
When a false accusation forces him to escape to Iceland and then to North America, Cuin receives further instruction from both an Icelandic prophetess and a Mi'kmaq wise man. Finally able to return home, he uses his talents to help resolve political crises for Duke William of Normandy. But even as Cuin discovers the truth about his origins, the new King of England runs afoul of the Pope, who has Duke William in his power. A fight for supremacy seems imminent, and Cuin’s talents may not be enough to stop it.
Steeped in rich historical detail and meticulously crafted in the tone of the eleventh century, Tapestry looks behind the scenes at the history of the Battle of Hastings—and its elegant cover-up.
Though his true identity remains a mystery, Cuin trains with a local warrior-turned-hermit and travels through Flanders and Denmark as an ambassador. Relentlessly pursued by an assassin, he is aided by powerful friends who are close to the kings of England and Norway.
When a false accusation forces him to escape to Iceland and then to North America, Cuin receives further instruction from both an Icelandic prophetess and a Mi'kmaq wise man. Finally able to return home, he uses his talents to help resolve political crises for Duke William of Normandy. But even as Cuin discovers the truth about his origins, the new King of England runs afoul of the Pope, who has Duke William in his power. A fight for supremacy seems imminent, and Cuin’s talents may not be enough to stop it.
Steeped in rich historical detail and meticulously crafted in the tone of the eleventh century, Tapestry looks behind the scenes at the history of the Battle of Hastings—and its elegant cover-up.
796 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2015
5 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 9, 2016
Like any historical fiction, Medieval historical fiction can easily fall into a series of tropes, and those tropes are most commonly as such: stereotypes of the Crusades and the Inquisition, with its subsequent witch hunts, among others.
However, TAPESTRY, the big, bold, beautiful behemoth of a book that I am about to review , being set much earlier than any of the two aforementioned periods, successfully avoids all of the tropes and stereotypes common to the fictional depiction of those eras. What is this novel about, then?
As the cover and title suggest, it's a story of how the events depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry, crucial for the future of England, and not only that, came to be. The whole epic saga unfolds across decades, starting in 1035, when the protagonist, Lod, a Norman physically impaired boy who will go through several names(Cuin, Brother Augustine, Brother Ambrose, and so on), is nine years old, and is the advisor of young William, who will become The Conqueror of great fame.
Do not let the size of this book put you off. And do not worry that you'll have to read through a lot of repetitive details about battles, with gore galore and characters who maim just for the sake of it(no offense to those who enjoy that sort of fiction, I occasionally do as well). This is not just a novel of medieval warfare. This is an epic saga of Medieval peacekeeping. The hero of the story is a very intelligent young man who grows into a highly-skilled diplomat, and believe me, there's much to be fascinated about in the manner in which diplomacy was understood back then. There is, though, plenty of action as well. Assassinations, failed and successful, the intricacy of politics, travels to the end of the world, mesmerizing details about different religions and healing techniques, friendships being forged, tested and broken. This is an impressive work, a true labor of love, which rings with authenticity, and the research is impeccable. It's safe to call it the best novel of early Medieval times that I have ever read, and I feel factually, culturally and spiritually richer for having done so.
Though I am greatly indebted to Mr. Largent for having provided me with a copy of his work, the views expressed herein, I claim to be my own entirely. Thank you, Mr. Largent. Solid, well-earned, 10 out of 5!
However, TAPESTRY, the big, bold, beautiful behemoth of a book that I am about to review , being set much earlier than any of the two aforementioned periods, successfully avoids all of the tropes and stereotypes common to the fictional depiction of those eras. What is this novel about, then?
As the cover and title suggest, it's a story of how the events depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry, crucial for the future of England, and not only that, came to be. The whole epic saga unfolds across decades, starting in 1035, when the protagonist, Lod, a Norman physically impaired boy who will go through several names(Cuin, Brother Augustine, Brother Ambrose, and so on), is nine years old, and is the advisor of young William, who will become The Conqueror of great fame.
Do not let the size of this book put you off. And do not worry that you'll have to read through a lot of repetitive details about battles, with gore galore and characters who maim just for the sake of it(no offense to those who enjoy that sort of fiction, I occasionally do as well). This is not just a novel of medieval warfare. This is an epic saga of Medieval peacekeeping. The hero of the story is a very intelligent young man who grows into a highly-skilled diplomat, and believe me, there's much to be fascinated about in the manner in which diplomacy was understood back then. There is, though, plenty of action as well. Assassinations, failed and successful, the intricacy of politics, travels to the end of the world, mesmerizing details about different religions and healing techniques, friendships being forged, tested and broken. This is an impressive work, a true labor of love, which rings with authenticity, and the research is impeccable. It's safe to call it the best novel of early Medieval times that I have ever read, and I feel factually, culturally and spiritually richer for having done so.
Though I am greatly indebted to Mr. Largent for having provided me with a copy of his work, the views expressed herein, I claim to be my own entirely. Thank you, Mr. Largent. Solid, well-earned, 10 out of 5!
January 7, 2016
Tapestry is a novel set in 11th century England in the time of William the Conquerer. Richly researched, its subplot pertains to the making of the Bayeux Tapestry, an embroidered cloth depicting the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England that culminated in the Battle of Hastings. A portion of the tapestry is depicted in the cover.
Author Christopher Largent brought this period to vivid life through wonderful characterization and intense research. The tale he weaves had plenty of subplots with some unexpected twists, a sprinkling of humor here and there, and rich battle scenes that seemed all too real. For those passionate about this period in English history, this is not a book to pass up! Highly recommended.
Thank you to the author and publisher. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Author Christopher Largent brought this period to vivid life through wonderful characterization and intense research. The tale he weaves had plenty of subplots with some unexpected twists, a sprinkling of humor here and there, and rich battle scenes that seemed all too real. For those passionate about this period in English history, this is not a book to pass up! Highly recommended.
Thank you to the author and publisher. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews