- Paperback: 240 pages
- Publisher: Phoenix; New Ed edition (4 Jan 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0753818280
- ISBN-13: 978-0753818282
- Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 635,495 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
Product Description
Product Description
St Edward the Confessor, King of the English, is commonly despised by historians; he was the last of his dynasty, and after his death his country was conquered by the foreigner. But that foreign conquest was exactly what St Edward had wished for. In this novel Alfred Duggan brings to life different customs, races and languages, as well as the violence and struggle for power between the Godwinssons and other great Earls - a Saxon England which seemed too large a country to unite except in dread of the Vikings.
About the Author
Alfred Duggan was born in Argentina in 1903. He was educated at Eton College and Oxford. He worked for the British Natural History Museum collecting specimens and travelled extensively pursuing his job for the museum. From 1938-1941, when he was discharged as medically unfit, he served in the London Irish Rifles and saw active service in Norway. His first book was published in 1950.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An outstanding read. I read this 20 years ago and loved it. I read it again recently and enjoyed it even more.I've read a lot of historical novels over the past 40 years and A.Duggan's with their dry and witty style are amongst the most memorable.Highly entertaining.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
First published in 1960, this is Alfred Duggan's version of the story of King Edward the Confessor from his coronation in 1043 to his death on the cusp of 1066.
The narrative is provided by Edward's chamberlain Edgar, a rather stuffy, pompous chap who has been raised from his life as the son of a Winchester cordwainer through service in the house of Queen Emma, Edward's mother, to entering the royal chamber. He is perhaps the most interesting character in the novel - certainly the one who comes most to life. Edgar is a party to Edward's many nocturnal monologues (which carry some of the explanatory narrative of the story) where the King ponders aloud upon his thegns and the policies he should pursue with them.
Basically the novel covers all the salient points of Edward's reign in a straight, almost text book style. His power struggles with the Godwin family who often rule the country in all but name, his sterile marriage to Edith, daughter of Earl Godwin, his penchant for all things Norman, his struggles with the Church and his visions and ability to work miracles.
Duggan writes the novel very much like an extension of the Anglo Saxon Chronicles. The style is distant and short of emotional drama and punch. This being almost fifty years ago and all things Norman in vogue, Duggan strongly takes William the Conqueror's part in the story and even has Edith Godwinsson (Edward's Queen) vilifying her brother Harold and colluding to bring William to the throne. I wasn't convinced by this, nor was I ever on the edge of my seat and desperate to turn the pages. It's a digestible read and interesting to a point, but as story telling it's average and not particularly engaging. Duggan never properly gets to grips with his characters and their motivations and they mostly remain two-dimensional. I suspect a lot of it is not good history either.
Three stars - just.
The narrative is provided by Edward's chamberlain Edgar, a rather stuffy, pompous chap who has been raised from his life as the son of a Winchester cordwainer through service in the house of Queen Emma, Edward's mother, to entering the royal chamber. He is perhaps the most interesting character in the novel - certainly the one who comes most to life. Edgar is a party to Edward's many nocturnal monologues (which carry some of the explanatory narrative of the story) where the King ponders aloud upon his thegns and the policies he should pursue with them.
Basically the novel covers all the salient points of Edward's reign in a straight, almost text book style. His power struggles with the Godwin family who often rule the country in all but name, his sterile marriage to Edith, daughter of Earl Godwin, his penchant for all things Norman, his struggles with the Church and his visions and ability to work miracles.
Duggan writes the novel very much like an extension of the Anglo Saxon Chronicles. The style is distant and short of emotional drama and punch. This being almost fifty years ago and all things Norman in vogue, Duggan strongly takes William the Conqueror's part in the story and even has Edith Godwinsson (Edward's Queen) vilifying her brother Harold and colluding to bring William to the throne. I wasn't convinced by this, nor was I ever on the edge of my seat and desperate to turn the pages. It's a digestible read and interesting to a point, but as story telling it's average and not particularly engaging. Duggan never properly gets to grips with his characters and their motivations and they mostly remain two-dimensional. I suspect a lot of it is not good history either.
Three stars - just.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
A Light on the Dark Ages
7 Jan 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am hooked on Alfred Duggan, and hooked on English historical novels (especially those set before the Reformation), so of course I loved The Cunning of the Dove. As in The Little Emperors and Conscience of the King, Duggan shows that even grim stories can be told with humor. Who else writes historical novels "noir?" Gore Vidal, yes, but sometimes it's too much work to read his books.
Edward the Confessor is the hero, as described by his (imaginary) chamberlain. It's refreshing to read about the 1060s without emphasis on Harold Godwinson or William the Conqueror. Duggan died more than 40 years ago, but should never go out of style. Too bad his books are hard to get in the USA.
Edward the Confessor is the hero, as described by his (imaginary) chamberlain. It's refreshing to read about the 1060s without emphasis on Harold Godwinson or William the Conqueror. Duggan died more than 40 years ago, but should never go out of style. Too bad his books are hard to get in the USA.
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Fiction > Historical
- Books > History > Britain & Ireland
- Books > History > World History
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
