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senordustin's review against another edition
4.0
boern angland.
most notable for its style (give it about 25 pages to sink in), the anger at loss of identity really had an affect on me. the story could have been better to match the powerful language. still quite an experience.
most notable for its style (give it about 25 pages to sink in), the anger at loss of identity really had an affect on me. the story could have been better to match the powerful language. still quite an experience.
hooliaquoolia's review against another edition
4.0
I took almost a year to read this. I would read 30 pages, then put it down. Then start from the beginning, read the same 30 pages, and put it down. It took me laying down everything else and dedicating myself to focusing on this book to finally finish it, and it was definitely worth it. I got into a trance while I was reading it, and despite the fact that the main character is a delusional psychopath, it was incredibly intriguing. Not quite what I signed up for, but still highly recommend for anyone who enjoys historical fiction. I will definitely be reading more Kingsnorth.
jeremiglio's review against another edition
5.0
This has been sat on our bookshelves for about 4 years, and in that time I've read the first page probably a dozen times before being put off by the difficulty of the language. I'm so glad I persevered and finally read the whole thing.
This is undeniably a difficult read, at least to start with - the language becomes second nature once you get used to it, but it's still not something you can read while half-asleep. But the language is integral to this book and the experience of reading it, and of inevitably becoming engrossed in the world. I couldn't stop thinking about it from the moment I started reading it, and I probably won't for a while. It's just brilliant.
Buccmaster is a brilliantly constructed character, an unreliable narrator and one whose deteriorating mental state is the perfect lens through which to view the fall of Old England following the conquest. I knew some about this period of history before, but this has definitely inspired me to learn more.
This is undeniably a difficult read, at least to start with - the language becomes second nature once you get used to it, but it's still not something you can read while half-asleep. But the language is integral to this book and the experience of reading it, and of inevitably becoming engrossed in the world. I couldn't stop thinking about it from the moment I started reading it, and I probably won't for a while. It's just brilliant.
Buccmaster is a brilliantly constructed character, an unreliable narrator and one whose deteriorating mental state is the perfect lens through which to view the fall of Old England following the conquest. I knew some about this period of history before, but this has definitely inspired me to learn more.
anabradley's review against another edition
5.0
Probably the most original book I have ever read. It is a really interesting take on the dystopia genre, taking a dystopia set, instead of in the future, in the past. The pseudo-old English text is surprisingly easy to read (only took me about a page to adjust to it) and I feel that it really added to the story. Kingsnorth says in the author's note that the choice of language allows us to see the story through the eyes of the characters, rather than through a modern lens, which, having finished the book, I completely agree with.The themes of Christianity versus paganism are also right up my street, so I would highly recommend.
theelliad's review against another edition
2.0
The sense of accomplishment I achieved from turning the final page of this book is like nothing I've ever experienced before...
katmackie's review against another edition
4.0
Upon reading the 2014 Man Booker longlist announcement, I was immediately drawn to The Wake because of it's unique premise and because I believe it's the prize's first crowdsourced nomination. Sourced by readers? I had to give it a try.
What is perhaps the most unique about this novel, and needs to be mentioned, is the language. Written in a version of Old English created by the author for layman readers, I didn't know what to expect. But what I think should be made clear is that Paul Kingsnorth didn't write this novel intending it to be a chore for the reader. He wrote it this way to reflect the world it takes place in, and he did so beautifully. The story is fascinatingly alien, and utterly relevant to a time we can only try and imagine. I appreciate Kingsnorth's reasoning in the note on the language:
And he's right. Ever get annoyed reading modern morals in a character of historical fiction? I bet Kingsnorth would too, but by taking the brilliant extra steps with language he's created something magical. Once you pick up on the "rules" of the language, reading it becomes second nature. It nourishes the story, never detracting from the tale. There is a partial glossary in the back, but I didn't use it once. Kingsnorth did all the hard work for us, and I found joy in understanding his new words through context.
Set during the Norman invasion of England, the story follows Buccmaster, and his somewhat misguided attempt to bring England back to what it used to be. Buccmaster is cocky, outspoken, and probably schizophrenic, but oddly riveting in an endearing sort of way. Except for the homicidal tendencies of course. But it's 1066, and his entire world is in turmoil. The journey is dark, but dreamy, and I was sad to see it end. Not that I was expecting otherwise, but I'll be honest, this one caught me off guard. One of the best historical fictions I've read yet, it brings exciting new breath to the genre.
I look forward to reading more of Paul Kingsnorth's work in the future. Highly recommended.
What is perhaps the most unique about this novel, and needs to be mentioned, is the language. Written in a version of Old English created by the author for layman readers, I didn't know what to expect. But what I think should be made clear is that Paul Kingsnorth didn't write this novel intending it to be a chore for the reader. He wrote it this way to reflect the world it takes place in, and he did so beautifully. The story is fascinatingly alien, and utterly relevant to a time we can only try and imagine. I appreciate Kingsnorth's reasoning in the note on the language:
"The way we speak is specific to our time and place. Our assumptions, our politics, our worldview, our attitudes - all are implicit in our words, and what we with them. To put 21st-century sentences into the mouths of eleventh century characters would be the equivalent of giving them iPads and cappuccinos: Just wrong."
And he's right. Ever get annoyed reading modern morals in a character of historical fiction? I bet Kingsnorth would too, but by taking the brilliant extra steps with language he's created something magical. Once you pick up on the "rules" of the language, reading it becomes second nature. It nourishes the story, never detracting from the tale. There is a partial glossary in the back, but I didn't use it once. Kingsnorth did all the hard work for us, and I found joy in understanding his new words through context.
Set during the Norman invasion of England, the story follows Buccmaster, and his somewhat misguided attempt to bring England back to what it used to be. Buccmaster is cocky, outspoken, and probably schizophrenic, but oddly riveting in an endearing sort of way. Except for the homicidal tendencies of course. But it's 1066, and his entire world is in turmoil. The journey is dark, but dreamy, and I was sad to see it end. Not that I was expecting otherwise, but I'll be honest, this one caught me off guard. One of the best historical fictions I've read yet, it brings exciting new breath to the genre.
I look forward to reading more of Paul Kingsnorth's work in the future. Highly recommended.
callofthelibrary's review against another edition
2.0
endless frustrating and not even because of the language. actually really enjoyed puzzling through the shadow tongue and connecting to a past evocation of humanity. my problems lie much more with how boring and repetitive this got which is not necessarily a bad thing in introspective works. it's just that i hate basically everything about kingworths ideology implict in the text (and explicitly in his interviews) and think he's incredibly misguided/knows jackshit about history outside of his own accepted narrative. started with a lot of promise about how this text could humanize an often unreachable past but quickly realized kingsworths plan was much more about collapsing history between then and now.
maxwelldemay's review against another edition
3.0
2 / 4 : If you have time, read
[Doomed Buccmaster of Holland terrorizes the foreigners swarming his country]
Plot is Mel Gibson's 'Braveheart' but the gimmick of its 'shadow language' (Old English amended until intelligible to modern speakers) pays off, giving the book a simple charm in its descriptions and broad characterizations.
Politically, The Wake is essentially Brexit: the Book.
I listened to a narration by Simon Vance
[Doomed Buccmaster of Holland terrorizes the foreigners swarming his country]
Plot is Mel Gibson's 'Braveheart' but the gimmick of its 'shadow language' (Old English amended until intelligible to modern speakers) pays off, giving the book a simple charm in its descriptions and broad characterizations.
Politically, The Wake is essentially Brexit: the Book.
I listened to a narration by Simon Vance
causearuckus's review against another edition
3.0
So I started reading the actual book and the language it is written in was too much for me. So I grabbed the audiobook version which made it much easier to digest. Buccmaster is an interesting character but I felt like not much actually happened in the story
booccmaster's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75