Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell is our July 2013 Medieval Group Read.
Anbody welcome to join in.

From Bernard Cornwell, the New York Times bestselling author whom the Washington Post calls "perhaps the greatest writer of historical adventure novels today," comes a saga of blood, rage, fidelity, and betrayal that brings to center stage King Alfred the Great, one of the most crucial (but oft-forgotten) figures in English history. It is King Alfred and his heirs who, in the ninth and tenth centuries, with their backs against the wall, fought to secure the survival of the last outpost of Anglo-Saxon culture by battling the ferocious Vikings, whose invading warriors had already captured and occupied three of England's four kingdoms.

Bernard Cornwell's epic novel opens in A.D. 866. Uhtred, a boy of ten and the son of a nobleman, is captured in the same battle that leaves his father dead. His captor is the Earl Ragnar, a Danish chieftain, who raises the boy as his own, teaching him the Viking ways of war. As a young man expected to take part in raids and bloody massacres against the English, he grapples with divided loyalties -- between Ragnar, the warrior he loves like a father, and Alfred, whose piety and introspection leave him cold. It takes a terrible slaughter and the unexpected joys of marriage for Uhtred to discover his true allegiance -- and to rise to his greatest challenge.

In Uhtred, Cornwell has created perhaps his richest and most complex protagonist, and through him, he has magnificently evoked an era steeped in dramatic pageantry and historical significance. For if King Alfred fails to defend his last kingdom, England will be overrun, and the entire course of history will change.

Exhumed it from the bottom of my pile of books not yet read, and placed it in the read by 31 July pile.

I read this book awhile ago and really liked it. Can't wait to discuss!

I read it last year. Loved it.

This was the book that got me into historical fiction. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did!

I have been meaning to read this one, I might pick up a package of six books and save some cash.

For me, no doubt the best Cornwell serie. Of course I have not read any of the Sharpe's books but better than Warlord or Grail (and I loved them both). I can't wait for The Pagan Lord in September.

One of Bernard Cornwell's best. It's always difficult setting up the characters at the start of a series. He's just so good at it!

This is the series that got me into Historical Fiction too.
I have already read it twice, so Darcy will be your group discussion leader on this one.
I'll be joining in the discussion though! One of my absolute favourite series'.

Loved this book. I'll definitely be checking up on this thread to see what everyone else thinks about it. I've read the first 4 in the series & I have to say that it's also one of my favorite series ever.

Derek wrote: "Loved this book. I've read the first 4 in the series & I have to say that it's also one of my favorite serie..."

Thanks to me *does a little dance*
:D

Yep great book in a great series. Hope you all enjoy it.

Definately one of his better ones :)

Terri wrote: "Derek wrote: "Loved this book. I've read the first 4 in the series & I have to say that it's also one of my favorite serie..."

Thanks to me *does a little dance*
:D"

Lol! Yes..I have to give Terri some props. The first day I joined this group, she had me convinced that I should read this series. I'm glad I took her advice.

And now, by putting it in the poll I have broadened my net. Why go one by one, when I can aim for clusters of victims?

Mr. Cornwell owes you big time bucks.

Think I am in on this read as well!

Derek wrote: "Mr. Cornwell owes you big time bucks."

haha. :D

Angie wrote: "Think I am in on this read as well!"


Welcome Angie. See you here for the group read in July I hope. :)

I am quite pleased to see I'm not the only one who had t yet read this book. It'll be nice to be able to discuss with others who've not read it along with those who could recite it verbatim :D

I am looking forward to reading this as well. It'll be my first Cornwell and I think will be a good one to start with.

DonnaR wrote: "I am looking forward to reading this as well. It'll be my first Cornwell and I think will be a good one to start with."

It is where I started, Donna and it kicked off my love of HF. I don't love every Cornwell book (I have liked most I have read), but I do love this series with a passion.

I'm in. I haven't been a Bernard Cornwell convert yet (Winter King, Stonehenge) but this series is the most serious chance, and I'm lined up with the 1st 3.

(also I expect his Arthurs to escalate for me, I know I'll like the 3rd most)

Between Terri and the rest of us BC zealots around hear, I'm surprised there's anyone left in the group who hasn't read a BC. Exits muttering to self ... We will makes them read the preciouses

I'm excited for everyone who hasn't read this yet. I'll reread it if I can get it back from my friend (he stalled out on literally the last chapter, which is mystifying to me.)

Nate wrote: "I'll reread it if I can get it back from my friend (he stalled out on literally the last chapter, which is mystifying to me.)"

Say what? Who is this idiot?

(just joking..:D...sort of)

Chris F wrote: "We will makes them read the preciouses "

LOL!!!

Just reserved it at the library.

I'm so excited about the number of people who will be reading this. I really thought it would be a tea-for-two thing.

When I put it up in the poll I was genuinely worried that all the fans of the series would vote it in and leave us with barely anybody to read the book because all the voters had read it.
So far this isn't happening. Which is a relief.

Yes, because believe me when I say, no one wants a group read thread if me talking to myself. Lol

It could be fun for the rest if us. :-) Seeing you go slowly mad as you discover Uhtred and have nobody to share it with.
It would be like the diary of a ship wreck survivor on a deserted island. At first eloquent and literate, then with each journal entry you get more and more insane until you are just drawing pictures of stick men with shields and swords....

Hahaha
Could you just imagine.

I saw that in your updates the other week. :)

Have the audiobook of this one, and am excited. I have been meaning to read this one for a bit.

I have this one so I am also in.. Yay!

Good stuff. I can't wait to see what everyone thinks.

Just remember....this first book may or may not leave an impact, but I highly recommend going on with the series if you like it 3 stars or more as the series only gets better. :)

I forgot to reserve it at the closest branch so I wonder if another group member got to the Towson, MD library first! Luckily there are a few copies in the system and I'm headed that way today anyway! After I stop at a different library system to drop off other books and pick up one for a different group. The only thing I like about summer is how much reading I get to do!

Kate wrote: "I forgot to reserve it at the closest branch so I wonder if another group member got to the Towson, MD library first! Luckily there are a few copies in the system and I'm headed that way today anyw..."

Lucky your library system is flush with copies, Kate. :-)

Assuming I'm still conscious at midnight (the likelihood is high with fireworks illegally going off for Canada Day) I'll set aside everything else and start this. I have such a backlog, that I'd like to get this read in one day, and since Monday is my last day of hols I reckon it's as good as any. :)

Not a long book so you should be able to achieve your goal there. :) I wouldn't be able to...not that fast a reader!

I cheated a little and decided to start a little early when I had to hold/calm one of my beasties due to the proximity of the fireworks.

I especially enjoyed (view spoiler)[the nod to Beowulf (hide spoiler)].

I found myself asking questions that are answered a little while later so my note pad looks a lot like:

new name - tradition or quirk?
Haithabu = Hedeby show link
Babbenburg = Bamburgh
best swords were made by Franks
to name a few, but I decided to get the Haithabu link anyway. I wrote an article about this location for another site a few years back, and the website for Haithabu has really improved since. They only had hand sketches then, so I'm happy that they have photos of the items found

http://www.vikingsofbjornstad.com/Mus...

ETA: I forgot, someone tweeted this link to me which I thought was kind of perfect timing:

http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/d...

The fourth document shown includes "Made in Northumbria in the first half of the 8th century, this book contains an added manumission in Old English, stating that King Athelstan of Wessex (924-939) had freed a certain Eadhelm from slavery."

That museum page is terrific. I got lost for ages staring at all the details in the photos.
I am always impressed at the wonderful metal work and crafts of the Vikings.

Darcy wrote: "I cheated a little and decided to start a little early when I had to hold/calm one of my beasties due to the proximity of the fireworks.

I especially enjoyed [spoilers removed].

I found myself ..."

Great links thanks for sharing.

Just joined this group - and just started the book!

Welcome to the group Sharkanimal and I'm just 65 pages in and so far enjoying it. Let us know what you think :)

Darcy wrote: "... I decided to get the Haithabu link anyway. I wrote an article about this location for another site a few years back, and the website for Haithabu has really improved since. They only had hand sketches then, so I'm happy that they have photos of the items found

http://www.vikingsofbjornstad.com/Mus...."

Great link. Thank you for sharing.

Sharkanimal wrote: "Just joined this group - and just started the book!"

Welcome Sharkanimal. Hope you like the book! :)

Thanks Terri. I like to read but so little time. Hopefullly being in this group kickstarts me!

If you need help getting motivated. You know where to come. We specialise in that around here and I see by your profile that you already like the genre historical fiction. That will help. :-)