I really enjoyed this book - I believe it to be well-written and well-researched.
The book covers the 50+ year period prior to William of Normandy's invasion of England in 1066 & the Battle of Hastings. In so doing, we cover the reigns (a term used more loosely for some of the kings than others) of Ethelred, Sweyn Forkbeard, Edmund Ironside & Canute, Harold Harefoot, Hardicanute, Edward the Confessor & Harold II.
To cover so much ground all in 478 pages is a daunting task and one I think the author accomplished skillfully. Certainly Bryant wrote from his own personal perspective, so we may not sympathize with his Emma as much as we would reading Helen Hollick's book(s) about the same time period, but thus it is with historical fiction. I have not read other books covering these years or these historical figures, so I cannot compare.
What I can tell you is that the book provided a very good understanding of these troubling years & the events as they unfolded at a time when, despite its great age, England was still very, very young!
The book covers the 50+ year period prior to William of Normandy's invasion of England in 1066 & the Battle of Hastings. In so doing, we cover the reigns (a term used more loosely for some of the kings than others) of Ethelred, Sweyn Forkbeard, Edmund Ironside & Canute, Harold Harefoot, Hardicanute, Edward the Confessor & Harold II.
To cover so much ground all in 478 pages is a daunting task and one I think the author accomplished skillfully. Certainly Bryant wrote from his own personal perspective, so we may not sympathize with his Emma as much as we would reading Helen Hollick's book(s) about the same time period, but thus it is with historical fiction. I have not read other books covering these years or these historical figures, so I cannot compare.
What I can tell you is that the book provided a very good understanding of these troubling years & the events as they unfolded at a time when, despite its great age, England was still very, very young!
