2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25
Until recently, the quality historical novel seemed to be dead. But the Saxon Chronicle and the Pale Rider by Cornwell are very timely to the world. Reviews and reviews of the book series are overwhelmingly positive. In this article, we decided to share an opinion and a brief overview of Cornwell's work.
About the author
Bernard Cornwell is an English writer best known for his historical novels. He is the author of four books about the American Civil War, three about King Arthur, three about the Hundred Years' War and five contemporary thrillers in addition to his famous Sharpe series. Cornwell is best known for writing books about the fictional character Richard Sharpe, an English soldier. The series, which consists of several novels and short stories, tracks a character's progress in the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars. The books became so popular that they were later adapted into a television series.
Cornwell is an active and pleasant person who is always cheerful and easy-going. He is absolutely in love with his profession. An interesting fact is that his love for a woman pushed him to the cause of his life. While living in the UK, he met an American woman, fell in love and followed her to the US. Unable to get any other work, he began to write fiction. Combining his love of writing with a genuine interest in history, Cornwell focused on writing historical novels. In the end, his books became bestsellers, so the famous author decided to take up writing. In addition to fiction, he has also published a non-fiction work on the Battle of Waterloo.
Saxon Chronicle
The Saxon Stories (also known as The Saxon Chronicles (Tales) in the US and The Warrior Chronicles) is an ongoing historical series of novels written by Bernard Cornwell set in 9th and 10th century Britain. The protagonist of the books is Uhtred of Bebbanburg, the son of a Saxon lord, born in Northumbria. He was captured by the Danes and brought up by them. The action takes place during the Danish invasions of Britain, when all but one English kingdom has been conquered. The protagonist's name comes from the historical Uhtred the Bold.
The story tells about the emergence of the English as a nation on the island of Britain from the point of view of Alfred, who later received the title of "The Great". The king of Wessex, Alfred, reluctantly agrees that after the defeat at Wilton, he cannot drive the invaders off the island and is forced to make peace with them. His heirsconsolidate those undertakings that Alfred declares.
Books
To date, the series has 11 books:
- "The Last Kingdom" (2004);
- "The Pale Rider" (2005);
- "Lord of the North" (2006);
- "Song of the Heavenly Sword" (2007);
- "Burning Earth" (2009);
- Death of Kings (2011);
- "Pagan Lord" (2013);
- "Empty Throne" (2014);
- "Storm Warriors" (2015);
- "Flame Bearer" (2016);
- War of the Wolf (2018).
Given the commercial success of the books, we can assume that the 11th book is not the last. Most likely, in the next 2 years, another novel will be released.
Pale Rider
In this inspiring sequel to the best-selling The Last Kingdom, outnumbered Saxon troops continue to fight the Danish invaders. This is 877 AD. BC, the Northumbrian nobleman Uhtred had just defeated the Danes at the Battle of Sinuit in southern England.
Logically, Uhtred should now ally with Alfred, whose kingdom of Wessex successfully resists Danish control. But Uhtred sees a better chance of regaining his lost estate if he finds a way to join the Danes who raised him and whose simple life of "ale, women, sword and reputation" he considers more favorable than Alfred's Christian piety and military caution. But when the Danes invaded Wessex, the formerthe strategy built by Uhtred failed. His Celtic mistress heralds Alfred's victory, but the pale rider can hardly believe that the battered king, stationed in isolated swamps with a handful of followers, can repel the invaders and unite England.
Yet pride grows in Uhtred: "I realized that to the Danes I was just as important as my friends, and without friends I would be just another landless, mindless warrior. But on the other hand, I have the blood of the Saxons, which requires me to join Alfred." Uhtred demonstrates his new patriotism in one of the book's climactic battles, in Edington.
The Pale Rider by Bernard Cornwell is a thrilling tale filled with bawdy humor, bloodlust, betrayal and valor that will leave readers yearning for the next volume in the Alfred the Great series.
Screening
In 2015, a series called "The Last Kingdom" was released. It is dedicated not to the "Pale Rider" of Cornwell, but to his entire "Saxon Chronicle". The author himself adapted the text for the series.
The main role in the series is played by Alexander Draymon. Born of Saxon nobility but raised by Danes, after his father's defeat in battle, he proves to be an excellent warrior and leader. He is driven by the urgent need to reclaim his homeland in Bebbanburg, Northumbria.
The actor also starred in the special "Christopher and His Kindness" alongside Matt Smith, as well asAmerican Horror Story: Coven as Luke Ramsey.
The series has fairly high ratings. It seems that such themes attract more viewers than the series about the rich modern girls. The third season of the series is currently available to watch. No release date for Season 4 has yet been announced.
George Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire or Bernard Cornwell's The Pale Rider
It's very common to come across articles on the web that compare the two most popular series based on books by Martin and Cornwell. Despite the fact that the books belong to completely different genres, they are often compared with each other. Reading the explanations, one can identify the following trend: Martin is interesting to watch, but difficult to read, and Cornwell is preferable to read than to watch. How this fight will end, the ratings will show in April, when the final season of the world's most popular TV series - "Game of Thrones" will be released.
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