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ellenandelaine's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rastamhadi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
nbcknwlf's review against another edition
2.0
tl, dr: the quality of the story didn’t warrant the difficulty of the language.
I studied old English once upon a time so was pretty interested in this novel that was ostensibly in a simplified OE. A lot of people have written about this so I’ll spare you the description. I have a lot of feelings about the way the author did the language; however, anyone attempting this sort of thing would have to make compromises. He made his, and he explains them. I would have chosen differently but whatever, I didn’t try writing a book in OE. So I’m not going to knock the book on language. It’s pretty readable once you get the hang of it, language-wise.
What I don’t get is why the author wasted the effort of writing in his version of OE on this particular story. You have this great historical event around which you could have told all manner of stories and you chose this one? The main character likely would have completely lost his marbles at some point with or without the Norman invasion. I’m not clear why we spend so much time in this guy’s head, wandering around having an inferiority complex and not doing anything. At the end we finally find out what happened to his father and sister who he mentions throughout the book and the whole wrap up just feels really rushed and unsatisfying.
Im not saying the book should have been a swashbuckling tale of daring resistance fighters, a flawed protagonist is fine. But I found Buccmaster an especially grating and boring one.
Bonus points for the historical tidbits tho and for the way the author brought in the shift in social structures as a result of the invasion.
I wanted to like this book more than I did.
I studied old English once upon a time so was pretty interested in this novel that was ostensibly in a simplified OE. A lot of people have written about this so I’ll spare you the description. I have a lot of feelings about the way the author did the language; however, anyone attempting this sort of thing would have to make compromises. He made his, and he explains them. I would have chosen differently but whatever, I didn’t try writing a book in OE. So I’m not going to knock the book on language. It’s pretty readable once you get the hang of it, language-wise.
What I don’t get is why the author wasted the effort of writing in his version of OE on this particular story. You have this great historical event around which you could have told all manner of stories and you chose this one? The main character likely would have completely lost his marbles at some point with or without the Norman invasion. I’m not clear why we spend so much time in this guy’s head, wandering around having an inferiority complex and not doing anything. At the end we finally find out what happened to his father and sister who he mentions throughout the book and the whole wrap up just feels really rushed and unsatisfying.
Im not saying the book should have been a swashbuckling tale of daring resistance fighters, a flawed protagonist is fine. But I found Buccmaster an especially grating and boring one.
Bonus points for the historical tidbits tho and for the way the author brought in the shift in social structures as a result of the invasion.
I wanted to like this book more than I did.
docpacey's review against another edition
4.0
What are we to make of Buccmaster of Holland, a socman with three oxgangs?
Is his madness understandable, a consequence of the catastrophe that has befallen his village, or simply his own failure to adapt to the upheaval of the order of his way of life?
He has always rejected authority and anything foreign, because he deeply believes his is the one trieuw way and the only way. He is a man of the land, and his unique social position causes him to view both those above him and those below him as unworthy (this is a trait that certainly mirrors the attitudes of modern folk).
He is not likable, nor honorable, nor did I find any sympathy with his plight, and yet his descent made for a compelling read.
This book is a challenge, but not as daunting as it seems at first, due to the repetitive nature of the narrative. It is worth the effort.
Q: 4
E: 4
I: 3
19
Is his madness understandable, a consequence of the catastrophe that has befallen his village, or simply his own failure to adapt to the upheaval of the order of his way of life?
He has always rejected authority and anything foreign, because he deeply believes his is the one trieuw way and the only way. He is a man of the land, and his unique social position causes him to view both those above him and those below him as unworthy (this is a trait that certainly mirrors the attitudes of modern folk).
He is not likable, nor honorable, nor did I find any sympathy with his plight, and yet his descent made for a compelling read.
This book is a challenge, but not as daunting as it seems at first, due to the repetitive nature of the narrative. It is worth the effort.
Q: 4
E: 4
I: 3
19
adampm97's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Really great. I think Kingsnorth's choice to write in this shadow tongue is an inspired one, it's quite difficult to imagine Buccmaster's character working otherwise. I'm not sure how much this is remarked on, but there is a lot of darkly comedic aspects to the book, mostly in the form of Buccmaster's deranged megalomaniacal ranting. Really does work in transporting you back to this vanquished England with its own customs and language. A few particularly chilling scenes, both involving the old pagan gods, and the character of Buccmaster himself, will be in my head (heofod) for a long time, I think. Fucc thu fuccan frenc ingenga
trailofmonkeys's review against another edition
4.0
The language and story are both good, the only real obstacle is having to stomach listening to the internal voice of a Daily Mail reader in 1066.
sarah_shelf's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
3.0
After the Norman invasion of 1066 the people of England suffered greatly and no more so than in East Anglia. The story of Hereford the Wake is well-known, a man who rose up against his oppressors with the power of the people in support but who ultimately failed against the might of the Normans. This is a story of a man who loses everything and revolts.
The book was only published after crowd-funding raised enough money to do so and it is clear why the established publishing houses were reluctant to take this book on. The story is written in a language which is neither modern English nor authentic Anglo-Saxon - it is a parallel language designed to reflect the times that the story is set in. That makes the job of the reader really difficult as much of the time one is deciphering the narrative rather than enjoying it. It's a challenge to read and therefore is admired rather than liked but applauded for sheer audacity.
The book was only published after crowd-funding raised enough money to do so and it is clear why the established publishing houses were reluctant to take this book on. The story is written in a language which is neither modern English nor authentic Anglo-Saxon - it is a parallel language designed to reflect the times that the story is set in. That makes the job of the reader really difficult as much of the time one is deciphering the narrative rather than enjoying it. It's a challenge to read and therefore is admired rather than liked but applauded for sheer audacity.
mary412's review against another edition
4.0
In college I had to take courses in Old English and Middle English so I was intrigued when I read about Kingsnorth's The Wake. When I learned that it was available on Audible read by Simon Vance, I knew that was for me. It was surprisingly easy to understand, easier when I wasn't looking at the printed page! buccmaster is a socman of holland with three oxgangs of good land who rales against the Norman invaders, their bastard king and the new religion they have brought to disrupt his life. As we know from our history lessons, he lost on all counts. The plot didn't have enough twists and turns for my taste.
andreaedits's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0