This is a very richly written novel that is emotionally satisfying, though at times rather slow. While it follows the broad sweep of historical events, there are omissions reflecting the mores of the time in the 19th century when it was written. For example, Harold's love for Edith "Swan Neck" (though she is not called that here) is chaste and there is no mention of the several illegitimate children they in fact had (the author hints in his introduction that he had changed this to fit the mores of the times, but that the "less pure connection" rests upon slight authority; however Harold unquestionably had sons old enough to try to avenge him in the next couple of years); and Christianity is shown as inherently more robust and superior to the pagan Norse beliefs that Harold might have acquired from his Danish mother, Gytha. A fictional pagan priestess, Hilda, said to be a relative of the Godwins, is a fairly prominent character, though only really sympathetically portrayed near the end of her life when she is questioning her beliefs. The final battle at Hastings and its aftermath is movingly and dramatically told and acts as fitting finale.

This Kindle edition comes with a number of illustrations, largely extracts from the Bayeux embroidery or 19th century depictions of the events described. 4/5 ( )

evocative ( )