Book: The Last Kingdom by Bernanrd Cornwell
Krishna
This is the First book in the Saxon Series by Bernard Cornwell.
Bernard is the author of many novels, and is famous for his Sharpe series. He has also written the Warlord Chronicles trilogy, consisting of the books The Winter King, The Enemy of God and Excalibur were all reviewed earlier here.
Just like Derfel, the central character there, we have Uhtred of Babbenberg, the central character here, narrating the story. The technique of placing a central character to reveal what happened in the history is a very powerful one, if supported by good research, and is employed to devastating effect by many authors, including James Michener, whose books have also been reviewed here before (For just a sample, see Alaska or Poland) . Bernard does it very well. The only difference between the Warlord Chronicles and the current Saxon series is that the narrator here, Uhtred, is an invented character.
This is the story of how one man, a physically weak, sickly and pious man who seems to pray more than fight repels Danish attack and preserves England single-handedly and makes fascinating reading overall.
Let us get on with the story. The narrator is a boy, called Osbert. His father, Uhtred of Babbenburg, is the King there, and he is the second son of his father. Every elder son who inherits the kingdom is also called Uhtred, and so he has an elder brother called Uhtred. They see some Viking ships one day at sea and the father sends the eldest son just to investigate. What they do not expect is that a Dane warrior comes back with the head of the brother, which he flings outside the fort while the shocked family watches from the ramparts and goes away. Now, Osbert assumes the name Uhtred. His father goes in revenge and attacks the Dane but walks right into an ambush.
He watches as his entire family is slaughtered by the Danes and he himself is captured by them. Their earl is Earl Ragnar the elder, and he is impressed by the fearlessness of the boy who tries to attack him even when held prisoner. He is brought up among the Danes, considering the elder as a father and his son, Rorik as a brother. Thyra, Ragnar’s daughter is sexually taunted by Kjartan’s son Sven, and Uhtred saves her. Ragnar is even more gratified by Uhtred. He banishes Sven and Kjartan to exile.
Uhtred learns to fight as a Viking, learning about shield walls and participating in battles in Mercia and Wessex.
When the priest of his father kidnaps Uhtred and takes him to a young man called Alfred with kingly pretensions, he escapes back to Ragnar but soon finds that Kjartan returns from exile in the dead of the night and murdered Ragnar. The children escape. Uhtred goes back to Alfred and pledges allegiance.
Alfred has priests to teach him to read and write, and gives him command of 12 ships. He battles and kills the fearsome Dane called Ubba
Nice, brings to life the belief of Danes and the Saxons, brings to life the harassment of Scots, the uncertain life, and the gently mocking tone of Christianity from Uhtred who believes in the pagan (Danish) gods provides humour as well as an interesting perspective.
Beautifully written, this is a good start to the series.
8 / 10
– – Krishna