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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is the first Cornwell's book I read, and he has totally changed the way a appreciate literature.
The one thing I like the most about him is that in his writing there is no room for useless descriptions or words. It is almost raw on its pragmatism, but it is far from poor or blunt. If a character is seeking a object for pages and pages, when it is time for it, all of a sudden, he writes 'Mr Somebody has just found it', and proceeds to the storytelling. He makes big acts look regular and a mundane act, like walking in a island, look fabulous.
Other than that, he is a absolute master in narrating battles. I have never felt my attention so captured by a narrative, completely anxious to turn the pages and go through the story.
I like the fact that Arthur, although higly powerful, is almost a secondary character for the reader. We really do care about Derfel. What a character! And here I learned that injustice makes me stick to the story more than anything else.
In some way or another, the book made me ponder a lot about how things have changed in the world since the dark ages, the cultural shock between christians and pagans, the way a christain relates to his god and the totally different relationship the pagans have with theirs, how superstitious we used to be, the way those warriors dealt with the fear of death and so on.
We definetely live on different times. It is remarkable that Cornwell made me think all about it without even trying.
Masterpiece.
The one thing I like the most about him is that in his writing there is no room for useless descriptions or words. It is almost raw on its pragmatism, but it is far from poor or blunt. If a character is seeking a object for pages and pages, when it is time for it, all of a sudden, he writes 'Mr Somebody has just found it', and proceeds to the storytelling. He makes big acts look regular and a mundane act, like walking in a island, look fabulous.
Other than that, he is a absolute master in narrating battles. I have never felt my attention so captured by a narrative, completely anxious to turn the pages and go through the story.
I like the fact that Arthur, although higly powerful, is almost a secondary character for the reader. We really do care about Derfel. What a character! And here I learned that injustice makes me stick to the story more than anything else.
In some way or another, the book made me ponder a lot about how things have changed in the world since the dark ages, the cultural shock between christians and pagans, the way a christain relates to his god and the totally different relationship the pagans have with theirs, how superstitious we used to be, the way those warriors dealt with the fear of death and so on.
We definetely live on different times. It is remarkable that Cornwell made me think all about it without even trying.
Masterpiece.
Good solid Arthurian legend. It took a bit for the book to get going, once it did it was action packed. Other than Arthur did not really get into the other characters. It was a good read and I did enjoy it.
Probably the best Arthur retelling since "The Once and Future King" by T.H. White. Certainly the most realistic.
Cornwell even adds a section in which he explains the literary freedoms he's taken. Recommended reading for everyone who is interested in the Arthur sagas as well as for everyone who likes reading historical novels.
5 stars.
Cornwell even adds a section in which he explains the literary freedoms he's taken. Recommended reading for everyone who is interested in the Arthur sagas as well as for everyone who likes reading historical novels.
5 stars.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
It was well written. I had just didn’t care about anything that was going on. Maybe I will read the next book. I’m in no rush. I didn’t care about the characters.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated