The Last Kingdom

by Bernard Cornwell | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0007149913 Global Overview for this book
Registered by Koalabare of Fetcham, Surrey United Kingdom on 6/5/2005
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
Amazon.com | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Bol.com
8 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Koalabare from Fetcham, Surrey United Kingdom on Sunday, June 5, 2005
This is the first of a trilogy about the emergence of England as a unified state - the work of Alfred the Great and his heirs. The story follows Uhtred, a 10 year old Northumbrian orphan who is adopted by one of the Danish invaders and taught to fight. As he grows up, however, the pull of his ancestral home (under the rule of his usurping uncle) begins to draw him back to his native English people, and ultimately he must choose between the fierce but cheerful pagan world of his boyhood and the Christian world of his ancestors that is struggling to meet the Danish assault.

I really enjoyed this - it was a quick, easy read that nevertheless taught me a bit about the time and events - Cornwall seems to do his homework on the historical research front! Uhtred, the main character, comes over as arrogant and ruthless, even by his own admission, but I got the impression that this was probably par for the course in such times! The sequel, 'The Pale Horseman', comes out this autumn, and I'll certainly be looking forward to it.

Earmarked for a bookray.

Journal Entry 2 by Koalabare from Fetcham, Surrey United Kingdom on Friday, July 29, 2005
Righty-ho! This book is ready to start traveling!

Bold = where the book is at the moment

kizmiaz (Portugal)
darjeeling (Portugal)
Falmouth (Germany)
4-lele (US)
wyldewomin (US)
DiamondLight (US)
Ceili (US)
alanfoxboro (US)
darjeeling (Portugal) 2nd attempt!!
bluenoser (Canada)

Only two requests!

Please make a journal entry when you receive the book and when you've read it;

And please try not to keep it for longer than 4 weeks - if you find yourself inundated with books or, indeed, Real Life, please PM me and I can shuffle you down the list to read it later if necessary.

Any newcomers to the ray once it has started are very welcome, and will be added on at the end. For obvious reasons you must be able to post internationally!

Last person to receive the book may keep it, wild release it, RABCK it or whatever takes your fancy - you decide!

Happy Reading!

1st August - After a short delay, this was posted to kizmiaz this morning. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 3 by kizmiaz from Belém , Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Thursday, August 4, 2005
Got it today, thanks koalabare. Beautifull postcard. Will post JE when I finish it.

Journal Entry 4 by kizmiaz from Belém , Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Friday, September 2, 2005
I hadn't read anything by Cornwell yet and was quite curious, since so many people talk about his books. I wasn't disapointed this is a great book, the only problem being that it's the begining of a trilogy and the rest of it isn't published yet so now I'll just have to wait to see what happens to Uthred.
The historical background is very well crafted and it gives a good report on the beliefs and fears of the common people at the time. The Danes are very well depicted, especially leaders like Ragnar.
The story and plot flow without room for much doubt, but I guess that's what makes a good novel.
Passed it on to a BC'er that wasn't on the list but was interested in reading it. Do not worry she's a fast reader and will send it to the next on the list soon.

Journal Entry 5 by conto from Lisboa (city), Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Tuesday, September 13, 2005
I'm so sorry for the delay on this one. My fault!
But I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it once I enjoyed it immensly. And I quite agree with the previous JEs: it is a great book! And looking forward to the next one as well...

Going immediatly to darjeeling.
Thanks a lot Kizmiaz and, of course, Koalabare!

Journal Entry 6 by darjeeling on Monday, September 26, 2005
After receiving a concerned pm from Conto I called home and my wife told me that it was there allready “with a beautiful postcard”, she said. And it’s true, a wonderful postcard, thank you!

Journal Entry 7 by darjeeling on Tuesday, October 4, 2005
I must confess, I hadn’t got a chance to read this one, sorry!
I was eager to (I really want to read this one) but due to some last hour changes in my life, I hadn’t got the chance and probably I’ll only get the chance next March. Since I don’t want to be a staller, as far as I know there many fellow bookcrossers eager to read it, I’ll pass it along to the next one on the bookray list.
Maybe I can be listed again in the near end of the list, but that´s for Koalabare to decide.

Thank you!


Posted to Falmouth this morning.

Journal Entry 8 by Falmouth from Remscheid, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Thursday, October 6, 2005
Just received it in the mail from Darjeeling. Thanks a lot. I have another book to read for the time being, but that should be done in a few days, and then I will start on this one. Really looking forward to it.
----
I meanwhile finished the book. A very good yarn!
I am very interested in history but didn't know very much about that certain time in England.
All the characters were very well described and the way Cornwell writes is lively and fascinating. I am now looking forward to get me the second part, which is about to be released somewhere in October.
I have 4-lele's address and will mail it out to her today.

Journal Entry 9 by 4-lele from Elmhurst, Illinois USA on Thursday, October 27, 2005
Book arrived safely in my mailbox the other day! I just had back surgery and thought I had put a "hold" on my bookrings but I have definitely missed a few. I am going to give this book a shot at reading and hope that I do not hold it up. Will let you know if I need to send it on.

Journal Entry 10 by 4-lele from Elmhurst, Illinois USA on Friday, November 4, 2005
Uhtred, the central character and narrator of the story immediately captures the reader with his courage and adaptability after being taken prisoner by the invading Danes. He wins the heart of his captor, Ragnar, and becomes like a son to him; yet something else lies in the heart of the young Uhtred.

Early in the story he says, "it lay in my heart, unformed, unspoken but hard as stone." and what was this that lay in his heart?, "I am an Englishman of England." It is around this that the story is crafted. I thouroughly enjoyed this quick read and I'm looking forward to the next in the series which is being released in January in the states.

Thanks for sharing Koalabare. I have PM'ed Ceili for her address and will get it on its way as soon as the address arrives!

Journal Entry 11 by wyldewomin from East Bridgewater, Massachusetts USA on Saturday, December 3, 2005
Got it today. One ahead of it.

Journal Entry 12 by wyldewomin from East Bridgewater, Massachusetts USA on Monday, December 26, 2005
Very cool. I think I will need to hunt down the remaining parts. Waiting for an addy from DiamondLight and will pass along.

Journal Entry 13 by DiamondLight from Dublin, Texas USA on Tuesday, January 3, 2006
This came today, just before I'm heading out to work. I'm looking forward to reading it!

Journal Entry 14 by DiamondLight from Dublin, Texas USA on Wednesday, March 8, 2006
I received this as part of a ring. I should be done with it soon. I love Cornwell!

Are you sure you want to delete this item? It cannot be undone.