- Paperback
- Publisher: Bantam Books (Mm); Reissue edition (Mar 1985)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 055324714X
- ISBN-13: 978-0553247145
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 13 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,401,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Conqueror
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"Sparkling - Independent My favourite historical novelist - stylish, romantic, sharp, and witty. Her sense of period is superb, her heroines are enterprising, and her heroes dashing. I owe her many happy hours. - Margaret Drabble Wonderful characters, elegant, witty writing, perfect period detail, and rapturously romantic. Georgette Heyer achieves what the rest of us only aspire to -Katie Fforde A writer of great Wit and style.... I've read her books to ragged shreds - Kate Fenton, Daily Telegraph
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
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Book Description
'Every girl, whatever her age, needs her own complete set of Heyer titles. More than romantic they are witty, elegant, stylish and the best comedies of manners since Jane Austen. Required reading for everyone.' - Diane Pearson
--This text refers to an alternate
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Georgette Heyer's The Conqueror is a mixture of factual history and fiction ,it tells the story of William the Conqueror from his birth through his early life, his violent wooing of Princess Matilda of Flanders,to his coronation as the King of England. It is one of the best Historical fiction books I have ever read,not just for it's detail,which is stunning without being overwhelming or boring,but also for the way Georgette Heyer carrys you through this world of long ago.As always With Ms Heyers books you are guarenteed a great time,always impossible to put down.Full marks especially if you're a fan you shouldn't miss this.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Heyer is of course best known for her Regency romances such as Frederica, Cotillion, The Grand Sophy and more. However, as well as writing several detective stories set in the early 20th century she also wrote some historicals away from the Regency and Georgian periods that she made her own. 'The Conqueror' is one of these, the story of William the Conqueror who became the King of England after the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
It's interesting reading the story with a positive view of the Norman Conquest when most latent English opinion is possibly rather more on the side of King Harold who was defeated at Hastings. It's part of Heyer's writing skill that enables her to paint a picture of an honourable and fearless man who was able to raise himself up from being an illegitimate nobody to a man worthy of the hand of Matilda, a high-born noblewoman. Heyer adds a fictional character, Raoul de Harcourt, to narrate to us much of the action, which does leave the reader somewhat distanced from William at times. However her mastery of battle scenes, the fact that she usually stays close to historical events in this story, add a great deal to the reader's enjoyment.
Heyer's research into the periods in which she sets her books is well-known and in 'The Conqueror', alongside her other books, it shows. The eleventh century was of course a long time ago and certain aspects of the book, for example its language, mean it's not always an easy read. The pacing is good, however, and although the romance is a relatively minor part of the overall story, it is still well-handled, showing how two fiery and strong people can produce a genuine and deep affection.
'The Conqueror', along with the other historicals such as 'My Lord John', 'Royal Escape', 'Simon The Coldheart' and others, are harder work for the reader than the lighter more popular romances. However their insight into life in some of the dangerous and fierce times in history are well worth experiencing.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008
It's interesting reading the story with a positive view of the Norman Conquest when most latent English opinion is possibly rather more on the side of King Harold who was defeated at Hastings. It's part of Heyer's writing skill that enables her to paint a picture of an honourable and fearless man who was able to raise himself up from being an illegitimate nobody to a man worthy of the hand of Matilda, a high-born noblewoman. Heyer adds a fictional character, Raoul de Harcourt, to narrate to us much of the action, which does leave the reader somewhat distanced from William at times. However her mastery of battle scenes, the fact that she usually stays close to historical events in this story, add a great deal to the reader's enjoyment.
Heyer's research into the periods in which she sets her books is well-known and in 'The Conqueror', alongside her other books, it shows. The eleventh century was of course a long time ago and certain aspects of the book, for example its language, mean it's not always an easy read. The pacing is good, however, and although the romance is a relatively minor part of the overall story, it is still well-handled, showing how two fiery and strong people can produce a genuine and deep affection.
'The Conqueror', along with the other historicals such as 'My Lord John', 'Royal Escape', 'Simon The Coldheart' and others, are harder work for the reader than the lighter more popular romances. However their insight into life in some of the dangerous and fierce times in history are well worth experiencing.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This novel is set in the time of William the Conqueror. In the beginning he struggles just to stay alive, betrayal and death lurk in every corner and he never knows who to trust. However, he manages to stay alive and because of this his determination to rule over a peaceful duchy and later England drives him. Some of his decisions shock even his most faithful servant and friend, Raoul de Harcourt. Raoul known as "The Watcher" because he sleeps outside William's door at night to protect him, really does manage to save his life more than once.
More than once I found myself admiring William, for he was complex ruler and not always ruthless. However, in the end, I still felt for Harold, who briefly became King Harold I of England, because no matter what novel I have read about the "Oath" made to William by Harold, it always seemed forced.
Once you get past the flowery chivalry-type language, you find a worthwhile page turning novel! This book was much better, by far, than The Golden Warrior by Hope Muntz (which was also forgetable!) and was more insightful of William's personality during his eventful life and leadership. It is out-of-print but well worth the time to locate and read!
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