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A review by sllingky
1066: What Fates Impose by G.K. Holloway
5.0
I have recently been adding to my knowledge base about Early Middle Ages (c. 5th–10th century) Britain, the period ranging from the time the Romans left the island until the Norman Conquest. There is a growing body of fiction set in this time period. Readers who are looking to enhance their knowledge of this remarkable period have never had so many works of historical fiction to choose from. Despite the progress I have made in my own education of this time, I had yet to read any books specifically describing the end of this period: the arrival of Duke William of Normandy (also known as William the Conqueror and William the Bastard) and the resulting Battle of Hastings in 1066.
Imagine my delight when I was approached by author G.K. Holloway to read then review his book. I admit that I didn’t have to think very long or hard over whether or not to agree. His book has been well reviewed already, and I now understand why.
Much of the story focuses on the Godwinson family, primarily Harold Godwinson. Before reading this book, I knew Harold primarily as the loser at the Battle of Hastings. I knew that the Bayeux Tapestry depicted his death, adding the text ‘Hic Harold rex interfectus est‘ meaning ‘Here King Harold has been killed’, but beyond that I knew nothing of the man. This book gives a very good broad history, with a few selected pinpoints of the most important days of Harold’s life in the years 1045-66.
Because the novel covers 21 years of history in 440 pages, there are many events that are fairly glossed over, or better, abbreviated, by necessity. Holloway does a very good job condensing the things the reader needs to know and making the complicated politics of the time accessible and understandable. I thought at first that this style of narrative might bother me. While not everyone does, I love details and richly painted description. However, the longer I read, the more I came to appreciate and accept a simpler approach. While Holloway could have easily chosen to turn this single novel into two or three novels, the part of me that enjoys a bit more instant gratification was happy he did not.
That being said, I didn’t feel shorted in the character development department in any way. The places Holloway chose to focus his scenes gave a brilliant picture of Harold, but also of the other players on the political scene of England in that day. There are some classic, bumbling and shifty characters (I’m thinking of Morcar, Earl of Northumbria and Edwin, Earl of Mercia for example), some entitled-turned-enemy characters (Tostig, Harold’s brother and Earl of Northumbria). There is also a lovely development of Harold’s love interests, first with his hand-fasted wife Edyth and the growth of their family as a result, and the later addition of his “political marriage” to Aldytha, daughter of Alfgar.
Holloway’s dialogue is straightforward and approachable, sometimes being so straightforward it took on a deadpan humor in places. I don’t know if this was what the author intended, but I rather enjoyed it, finding myself reacting out loud with delight as the characters interacted. His descriptions are present without loading down the prose, always giving me a good picture of the scene in my head without slowing down the narrative.
The only downside to this book, and this is no critique against the author or the book itself, is the ending. Holloway was true to the very sad history, and in this he did a wonderful job. Saying that though, doesn’t mean that I enjoyed the history itself. If the author could have gotten away with changing the history (and I wouldn’t have forgiven him if he had), I would have had an easier time finishing. As it was, I found that my pace of reading slowed considerably as I approached the last sixth of the book. I knew what was coming. It was like seeing the light of an oncoming train, and there was nothing I could do about it.
I welcome this book to my bookshelves, recommending it to readers interested in learning more about the Early Middle Ages and the history of Britain.
Imagine my delight when I was approached by author G.K. Holloway to read then review his book. I admit that I didn’t have to think very long or hard over whether or not to agree. His book has been well reviewed already, and I now understand why.
Much of the story focuses on the Godwinson family, primarily Harold Godwinson. Before reading this book, I knew Harold primarily as the loser at the Battle of Hastings. I knew that the Bayeux Tapestry depicted his death, adding the text ‘Hic Harold rex interfectus est‘ meaning ‘Here King Harold has been killed’, but beyond that I knew nothing of the man. This book gives a very good broad history, with a few selected pinpoints of the most important days of Harold’s life in the years 1045-66.
Because the novel covers 21 years of history in 440 pages, there are many events that are fairly glossed over, or better, abbreviated, by necessity. Holloway does a very good job condensing the things the reader needs to know and making the complicated politics of the time accessible and understandable. I thought at first that this style of narrative might bother me. While not everyone does, I love details and richly painted description. However, the longer I read, the more I came to appreciate and accept a simpler approach. While Holloway could have easily chosen to turn this single novel into two or three novels, the part of me that enjoys a bit more instant gratification was happy he did not.
That being said, I didn’t feel shorted in the character development department in any way. The places Holloway chose to focus his scenes gave a brilliant picture of Harold, but also of the other players on the political scene of England in that day. There are some classic, bumbling and shifty characters (I’m thinking of Morcar, Earl of Northumbria and Edwin, Earl of Mercia for example), some entitled-turned-enemy characters (Tostig, Harold’s brother and Earl of Northumbria). There is also a lovely development of Harold’s love interests, first with his hand-fasted wife Edyth and the growth of their family as a result, and the later addition of his “political marriage” to Aldytha, daughter of Alfgar.
Holloway’s dialogue is straightforward and approachable, sometimes being so straightforward it took on a deadpan humor in places. I don’t know if this was what the author intended, but I rather enjoyed it, finding myself reacting out loud with delight as the characters interacted. His descriptions are present without loading down the prose, always giving me a good picture of the scene in my head without slowing down the narrative.
The only downside to this book, and this is no critique against the author or the book itself, is the ending. Holloway was true to the very sad history, and in this he did a wonderful job. Saying that though, doesn’t mean that I enjoyed the history itself. If the author could have gotten away with changing the history (and I wouldn’t have forgiven him if he had), I would have had an easier time finishing. As it was, I found that my pace of reading slowed considerably as I approached the last sixth of the book. I knew what was coming. It was like seeing the light of an oncoming train, and there was nothing I could do about it.
I welcome this book to my bookshelves, recommending it to readers interested in learning more about the Early Middle Ages and the history of Britain.