Customer Reviews

The Last Kingdom CD (Saxon Stories)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having played title roles in both Hamlet and Henry V, British actor Jamie Glover is the perfect choice to read Bernard Cornwell's latest historical adventure. Glover is expressive without being overly dramatic as he takes listeners back to the 9th and 10th centuries and a young warrior, Uhtred, who discovers his allegiances are divided in the midst of a bloody war.

Appreciated for his historical authenticity and rousing battle scenes, Cornwell paints an almost vanquished King Alfred pitted against the dreaded Vikings as he strives to protect a last outpost. Uhtred, of noble blood, is captured after seeing his father slain in battle. He's but a boy of ten in A.D. 866 and is influenced by the Earl Ragnar who raises the boy with affection and trains him in Viking warfare.

Uhtred feels beholden to and loves the man who has brought him up but also knows that he is English and owes an allegiance to the King. It will take years, the love of a woman, and the loss of many lives for Uhtred to choose which path he must follow.

What a saga; what a terrifically entertaining listen!

- Gail Cooke

I got this on a whim from the base library and it is great. Normally, I listen to books as I drive in the car, but this one was good enough to bring in and finish in the house instead of watching TV. The book is written in the first person and is very descriptive and draws you right into the narative. I knew nothing of the ~900s English time period, but his descriptions are so complete, that it's very real. The reader is excellent, just the right amount of emotion and a good speed for listening. I'll definitely look for more by this author and reader!

This book on CD was a condensed version of the paper book. I needed this for a British Literature class and it helped tremendously to go along with the book.