From the acclaimed author of "Sherwood" and "Robin and the King" comes a powerful love story set 11th-century Britain. Although theirs is a forbidden union, the passionate devotion of a reluctant king for his lady will endure and grow through war, treachery, and the rise of William the Conqueror.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Prolific Godwin (Return to Nottingham) tells the tragic story of Harold of Wessex, the earl who overcame his scruples to succeed Edward the Confessor as king but reigned for only a year before he was cut down at the Battle of Hastings. Threatened by civil strife and Norman invasion, the English court of the mid-11th century is a treacherous place where loyalties are tested and trusts routinely betrayed. Harold's noble family mirrors England's fractiousness: Harold sends one beloved brother into exile and kills another. Yet the most poignant relationship in the novel is between Harold and his common-law wife, Edith, whom he loves deeply and, according to church law, can never marry. Godwin skillfully uses multiple voices to tell his story?Edward, William and Harold's brothers, father and sister all get a chance to speak. Most engaging among them is that of sharp-witted, resilient Edith. Some readers may wish that Godwin continued to place Edith at the center of the story. Instead, she fades into the background as the novel focuses increasingly on military and political entanglements and Harold's difficult choices between love and country, happiness and power.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
As young Harold of Wessex comes of age under the rule of King Edward, he envisions a united England, and with the support of Lady Edith of Nazeing, his distant cousin and common-law wife, he stands up for his beliefs. In the end, Harold gains the support of the council of lords and the grudging respect of the king, so that when King Edward dies without an heir, the council chooses Harold to wear the crown and resist the claims of William the Conqueror. Since his marriage to Edith was never recognized by the church, Harold is forced to marry to ensure the throne's succession. Still, it is Edith who stands unwavering at his side on that last bitter day at Hastings in 1066, and it is Edith he loves for more than 20 years. Godwin brings Harold and Edith powerfully to life as lovers fated to be swept up in the turmoil of a changing England, in this enthralling prequel to Sherwood (1992) and Robin and the King (1994). Melanie Duncan
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Typically excellent Godwin,
By The Dukester (The Barrier Peaks) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Lord of Sunset (Mass Market Paperback)
Having already and read -- and enjoyed -- Sherwood and Robin and the King, I suspected that I'd like Lord of Sunset. I was not disappointed -- Godwin comes through again with an exceptional historical novel that kept me flipping pages long after I should have turned out the light and gone to bed. What I enjoy most about Godwin is that he makes history come alive with characters who are, at the same time, dreaming big dreams and putting their mark on the world AND dealing with the everyday petty squables and boring routine of their day-to-day lives. The characters plot and dream and scheme and influence the world about them, but they also go to the bathroom and plow fields. This makes them human, which -- for me, at least -- makes them that much easier to identify with. Overall, a wonderful read; I'd give it six stars if I could.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating Period of History,
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This review is from: Lord of Sunset (Mass Market Paperback)
Prior to reading this book, I knew very little about the reasons behind the Norman Conquest, and practically nothing about King Edward and King Harold. This was an excellent introduction behind the many characters who forged the history of Great Britain. The author makes these characters come alive, and one of the most fascinating dynamics was the relationship between King Edward and Godwine, and later Harold. While the author does justice to the deep love between Harold and Edith, it doesn't dominate the story. My only complaint, and the reason that I didn't give this book 5 stars was the cursory treatment of the battle of Hastings. All things considered, however, this is a great book for anyone interested in medieval England.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unbelievably good,
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This review is from: Lord of Sunset (Mass Market Paperback)
Excellent account of Harold Godwinsson and the events that lead up to the Norman invasion. Even though we all know the ending of this story, I kept finding myself "hoping" that Harold would somehow prevail in the end.
If you read Lord of Sunset, you might wanna read King Hereafter by Dorothy Dunnett next. There is considerable overlap between the two books, and many of the same characters.
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