Have you read ... Bernard Cornwell?

    If you were to take a look at the books in my son Will's room - though I wouldn't venture in there if I were you as it's not exactly what you'd call spick and span - you'd find a very masculine mixture of military history, things like the Flashman series and John Le Carré, general history, and biography with a military leaning (this is a young man who plans to join the army). You wouldn't therefore be surprised to find that the collection includes a large number of novels by Bernard Cornwell - all of them read and greatly enjoyed.

    When I heard that that most successful and prolific writer of historical fiction had a new book coming out (it's published today), I asked Will whether he thought I'd enjoy it, "or is it all battles and of interest only to men?" He assured me that I'd admire the solid research which informs the books and saw no reason why I wouldn't be thoroughly gripped by the story, too; Bernard Cornwell has, I learn, a large female following!

    1356 features the Battle of Poitiers in which England won her second great victory of the Hundred Years War, but the novel centres on Thomas of Hookton, "leader of a mercenary company of bowmen and men-at-arms who ravage the countryside east of Gascony. Edward, Prince of Wales (the Black Prince) is assembling an army to fight the French once more, but before Thomas can join, he must fulfil an urgent task. La Malice, a sword of mythical power guaranteeing victory to its owner, is thought to be concealed somewhere near Poitiers. With signs that a battle is looming, others are seeking the treasure too, and some are pursuing their private agendas against Thomas, but all concerned - and the fate of La Malice - become swept up in the extraordinary confrontation that follows, as the large French army faces the heavily outnumbered English."

    I have been reading the opening of 1356, the Prologue in which the sword is snatched from a tomb during the sack of Carcassonne, and the first chapter which sees a young English monk on his way to the Cistercian house at Montpellier caught up in violent scenes, and it's much as I expected: taut, vivid, dramatic, very 'cinematographic', so to speak. Am I inclined to read on? Yes, I am.

    Best known for his Sharpe series, Bernard Cornwell is the author of over 50 novels and he is a hugely popular writer. Have you read him?

Comments

[LizF]

I haven't rad him as yet although I do have a couple of his earlier books with medieval settings on my shelves!
I'll be interested to see what you think about this one.

[Mary]

I have listened to (CD books) most of the Sharpe series during my commute and enjoyed them. Tried reading some of his other ones about earlier historical periods, but they started out a bit too violent for my taste, so I didn't plough on. Not that fond of historical fiction from certain periods while greatly enjoying other eras.

[Danielle]

I think he wrote a series of books on King Arthur as well? I have a few of his books on my shelves, too, as he came recommended by the owner of a bookshop where I used to work. Someday I am going to have an Arthurian extravaganza and pull those books out. Glad to hear you are enjoying his newest.

[Karoline]

The only ones I've read are the Arthurian ones which I enjoyed

[Stephanie]

The Saxon series, featuring Uthred of Bebbanburg, is set in the late 700s, when England was repelling the persistent Danish invaders and trying to unify its many factions under the young King Alfred of Wessex. Uthred makes an interesting hero as he lived with the Danes as a young boy having been picked up by them from a battlefield in which his father was killed. He becomes a courageous warrior and leader of men but is double dealt by many in the course of his life as there is always doubt as to whose side he is on. The Saxon series, currently comprising 6 books, should be read in sequence. They are full of bloodthirsty battles with great warrior cries, where the peaceful periods seem too short for the country to establish itself. This is a land dominated by men trying to establish their authority where women served the food and ale with optional careers as nuns and prostitutes. The era is painted in a believable manner and the reality of life is mostly harsh. He paints the genuine historical events in a clear manner. Like many of Cornwell's fans, I can't wait for the next book in this series.

[Janet]

I have read the Sharpe series, including the ones set in India, and thoroughly enjoyed it, but have not yet read any of the ones set in earlier historic times. I think that Bernard Cornwall's research of whatever period he is writing about is good, and his writing style carries the story along well. Characters also are believable, even if acting heroically. He is popular because he provides a good reading experience, one which takes the reader out of their day-to-day reality.