The Last Kingdom

By Bernard Cornwell

     Alfred The Great is mostly famous for burning the cakes, an apocryphal addition to the life of England’s first real king. Bernard Cornwell gives readers his own unique twist on the tale in this thought-provoking, multi-layered novel. Uhtred is the rightful Earl of Northumberland, but when he was only ten the Danes came and killed his family. He was adopted by Earl Ragnar, and enjoyed a rough and tumble childhood with this lively family - but he still considered himself English at heart. Following many adventures, he finds himself on the English side once again and in the train of Alfred. Now he will discover where his true loyalty lies…or is it as simple as that?

     Not in this book it isn’t. If you are expecting nasty brutish Danes wearing horned helmets versus upright, brave English led by a heroic Alfred then you are going to be disappointed…or very pleased! I was the latter, although at times the English just weren’t sympathetic enough and the sickly, pious but sneaky Alfred was quite an eye-opener. It will be fascinating indeed to see how he develops in the next book, and quite a task to make him even appealing. Uhtred is a marvellous narrator, and gives a keen eyewitness account of events with plenty of comments on the people involved rather in the manner of Flashman. From a boisterous boyhood among the pagan Danes to the shield wall at Cynuit hillfort he takes in descriptions of places all over England. He has the outlook of how one might imagine a man of his time and circumstances slightly tweaked for modern readers; taking people as they come and valuing bravery above learning, and practicality above superstition. Paganism looks inviting in this book, and Christianity seems to have little appeal and is shown in a poor light - but that is due to the narrator and opens a window into the Dark Ages which I didn’t want to close. Compulsive reading!