The Struggle Of Joining In Late

Long, long ago (pre-world wide web) I read a book that I enjoyed immensely. It was an epic novel called Stonehenge. I liked it so much that over the years I purchased most of the author's other works, but did not read any of them until about five years ago when another one off entitled Azincourt was published. I've no idea why I didn't crack open any of Bernard Cornwell's other books even though they decorated the better part of one shelf. This year, an online book group that I belong two offered up three of the books as options: one being the aforementioned megaliths; and the other two the first book in a series. All three won for their respective months, forcing me to finally crack some spines (figuratively speaking, we don't literally crack spines - ever). The first was the much loved beginnings of Uhtred of Bebbanburg - The Last Kingdom.

There were high expectations for this novel, as most people I know who have read it not only love the series, but feel a personal attachment to the protagonist Uhtred. Many of these individuals weren't particularly fond of Azincourt, whereas I quite liked that work. However, I hadn't the years of reading Cornwell's other series, so perhaps that affected my opinion. I had no real expectation or points of comparison since I'd only ever read his epic, not his shorter novels.

As it turns out, I don't love Uhtred as others do. I don't dislike him either. I didn't really feel much empathy toward him, or any of the other characters for that matter. This might have more to do with having only read the first book, while those who are fond of the main character have the benefit of having read the entire series. Perhaps that is why they are very enthusiastic in their encouragement to get stuck in - because as a whole it's a fab series. That isn't to say that I didn't enjoy the book; I did. It was a well laid out tale of a young man who must face the changes around him and make decisions to ensure his survival regardless of how incongruous those choices may affect his own personal moral and ethical codes.

Despite my indifference to Uhtred, I do very much enjoy Cornwell's ability to transport the reader through time and place. When an author details a landscape and era in such a way that evoke the grittiness of fear, war, and politics while simultaneously allowing a waft of sea air to punch through the pungent scents of sweat and death, then you know you have a book worthy of your time. The power struggles between Danes and English is clearly the focus, the secondary and equally dangerous battle between church and traditional worship appear to be explored only marginally. However, I expect that in the end, this will be the glue that keeps the series moving along. With the advantage of nearly a thousand years, we know that the ultimate battle between church and state is ever present and dominant throughout.

Not only because I own the rest of the books in the series, but because of genuine interest, I will read the next installment. Perhaps, given more time to woo me, I might even learn to like Uhtred as more than just a device that moves the story along. Therefore, I give the book 3.5 burning ships out of 5.