What do you think?
Rate this book
Lord of Sunset
True history and legend combine in a remarkable story of majesty, duty, and an indomitable love that survived the thunder and blood of eleventh-century Britain. Normans and Saxons fight and die for control of the destiny of a future empire, and Harold of Wessex--second son of one of the sundered nation's most powerful noble families--is thrust into the vortex of a battle royal for the English throne. To wear the crown, however, he must forsake his peaceful life with his adored, hand-fasted wife, Lady Edith of Nazeing, the only woman he will ever truly love. But throughout his reluctant ascendance to supreme leadership of an embattled kingdom--and the concurrent rise of old-friend-turned-adversary William of Normandy, soon to be called "the Conqueror"--Harold will not betray his heart or his lady, though war be their legacy and tragedy their fate.From critically acclaimed, award-winning storyteller Parke Godwin comes an enduring tale of a nobility and a love that changed history--a magnificent epic that surely ranks among the great romantic adventures of all time.
566 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
1 person is currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Parke Godwin
243 books90 followersParke Godwin was an American writer known for his lyrical yet precise prose style and sardonic humor. He was also known for his novels of legendary figures placed in realistic historical settings; his retelling of the Arthur legend (Firelord in 1980, Beloved Exile in 1984, and The Last Rainbow in 1985) is set in the 5th century during the collapse of the Roman empire, and his reinterpretation of Robin Hood (Sherwood, 1991, and Robin and the King, 1993) takes place during the Norman conquest and features kings William the Conqueror and William Rufus as major characters. His other well-known works include Waiting For The Galactic Bus (1988) and its sequel The Snake Oil Wars (1989), humorous critiques of American pop culture and religion.
Parke Godwin also worked as a radio operator, a research technician, a professional actor, an advertising man, a dishwasher and a maitre d' hotel.
Godwin's short fiction has appeared in several anthologies. His short story "Influencing the Hell out of Time and Teresa Golowitz," was the basis of an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone.
Parke Godwin also worked as a radio operator, a research technician, a professional actor, an advertising man, a dishwasher and a maitre d' hotel.
Godwin's short fiction has appeared in several anthologies. His short story "Influencing the Hell out of Time and Teresa Golowitz," was the basis of an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 7, 2010
A brief rundown on the history this book covers. Before the Norman Conquest of 1066, England was ruled by Edward (now known as Edward the Confessor). Edward was related through his mother Emma to Duke William of Normandy and the Duke believed he was Edward's heir and had a God-given right to England's crown upon his death. Like all the other English kings, Edward's Earl's were pesky and the most powerful of them was the Earl of Wessex. Godwin had several sons, and a couple of them caused quite a bit of mischief of their own, but the son who inherited the earldom was Harold - and that is who this book is about.
Harold loved Edith Swan-Neck, a woman who was *beneath* his station and could not wed her in the eyes of the church, but they were handfasted and lived as man and wife. The English earls wanted none of Duke William upon Edward's death, so they elected Harold King and thus begin the events leading up to the Norman Conquest. That's a very basic rundown and of course there's a whole lot more to it than that but you know what I always say - read it for yourself.
This book is written from the point of view of several characters, Harold and Edith's being the main ones, along with Edward and William and a few others. I'm not terribly fond of first person narratives, although Godwin did handle these quite nicely and give the reader a well-rounded look at each side of the *coin*. While I found the author's prose very lyrical, the story telling was a bit too slow paced and in the end I just wasn't pulled into the story as much as I'd like to be, nor did I pick up on a lot of *grand passion* between the pair. Perhaps it's because I came into this book after having read Valerie Anand's Gildenford as well as Helen Hollick's fabulous Harold the King, but this one just falls short in comparison to those two. A good book, just not a great one.
Harold loved Edith Swan-Neck, a woman who was *beneath* his station and could not wed her in the eyes of the church, but they were handfasted and lived as man and wife. The English earls wanted none of Duke William upon Edward's death, so they elected Harold King and thus begin the events leading up to the Norman Conquest. That's a very basic rundown and of course there's a whole lot more to it than that but you know what I always say - read it for yourself.
This book is written from the point of view of several characters, Harold and Edith's being the main ones, along with Edward and William and a few others. I'm not terribly fond of first person narratives, although Godwin did handle these quite nicely and give the reader a well-rounded look at each side of the *coin*. While I found the author's prose very lyrical, the story telling was a bit too slow paced and in the end I just wasn't pulled into the story as much as I'd like to be, nor did I pick up on a lot of *grand passion* between the pair. Perhaps it's because I came into this book after having read Valerie Anand's Gildenford as well as Helen Hollick's fabulous Harold the King, but this one just falls short in comparison to those two. A good book, just not a great one.
July 17, 2012
This book is based on the story of Harold of Wessex during the Norman conquest.
The plot describes his love by Lady Edith of Nazeing and his friendship which turned in adversary, William of Normandy, also known as 'the Conqueror".
However, in my opinion, the best book based on this subject is Harold the King, by Helen Hollick.
Or perhaps I was expecting too much of the details of the famous Battle of Hastings, which unfortunately, was not the case of this book.
The plot describes his love by Lady Edith of Nazeing and his friendship which turned in adversary, William of Normandy, also known as 'the Conqueror".
However, in my opinion, the best book based on this subject is Harold the King, by Helen Hollick.
Or perhaps I was expecting too much of the details of the famous Battle of Hastings, which unfortunately, was not the case of this book.
June 4, 2016
One of the best books I have ever read. This is essentially a prequel to Goodwin's "Sherwood" and "Robin and the King;" also excellent books. If you like historical fiction, especially historical fiction centered around the middle ages, then this is the book for you.
This book chronicles the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Parke Godwin is a phenomenal writer. His narrative is deeply engaging, and his characters well-developed.
I learned a lot about this era by reading this book. I enjoy fantasy novels as well, but I have always maintained that reality is far more interesting than anything published in the fantasy genre, and this book is a fine example.
I read George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones," and I thought, "Meh, that doesn't hold a candle to Parke Godwin." I didn't even bother to try and finish Martin's books, because to me, they are just uninspired hack. Maybe those who have not bothered to read about real knights and kings are impressed with such drivel, but I find the stories of real knights and kings to be far more entertaining and dramatic.
Parke Godwin's "Lord of Sunset" chronicles the famous events depicted hundreds of years ago in the Bayeux Tapestry...the death of Edward II, the Confessor, the rise to power of Saxon King Harold of Wessex...the famous Battle of Stamford Bridge (marking the end of the Viking age), and ultimately, the Battle of Hastings. This is historical fiction at its very best. I guarantee that any person with a heart who reads this book will come away from it moved and changed on some level.
This book chronicles the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Parke Godwin is a phenomenal writer. His narrative is deeply engaging, and his characters well-developed.
I learned a lot about this era by reading this book. I enjoy fantasy novels as well, but I have always maintained that reality is far more interesting than anything published in the fantasy genre, and this book is a fine example.
I read George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones," and I thought, "Meh, that doesn't hold a candle to Parke Godwin." I didn't even bother to try and finish Martin's books, because to me, they are just uninspired hack. Maybe those who have not bothered to read about real knights and kings are impressed with such drivel, but I find the stories of real knights and kings to be far more entertaining and dramatic.
Parke Godwin's "Lord of Sunset" chronicles the famous events depicted hundreds of years ago in the Bayeux Tapestry...the death of Edward II, the Confessor, the rise to power of Saxon King Harold of Wessex...the famous Battle of Stamford Bridge (marking the end of the Viking age), and ultimately, the Battle of Hastings. This is historical fiction at its very best. I guarantee that any person with a heart who reads this book will come away from it moved and changed on some level.
August 10, 2015
What an amazing book and series by Parke Godwin. This is the prequel to his Sherwood series and I would definitely recommend you reading this before the Sherwood & Robin and the King books. I didn't and although it isn't crucial I wish I did because I learned all about Harold and his rise to power and how that would alter your perception of the 2 books. Anyways, I loved the character of Harold and his 'wife' in his eyes Edith. Godwin is a master at character development and I thoroughly enjoy every character in every book he writes. You will love this book. I recommend this to everybody. Enjoy !
October 31, 2009
I read this book years ago but always remembered the story. I felt Lord of Sunset was well-written and it certain held my interest. This was my first read by this author, but not my last. The story is about Harold who becomes the last Saxon King of England and Edith, his hand-fast wife. A beautiful romance which actually occurred.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews