Discovering Bernard Cornwell - Historical Fiction at its Finest
For those who cherish a good historical fiction novel, picking up just about anything written by British author Bernard Cornwell is truly a pleasure. Cornwell, who has written dozens of books dating back to the early 1980s, typically weaves his wonder with words via tightly-wound series, and has made his name in the historical fiction genre despite also producing some novels that are classified as "thrillers." While the majority of his work centers on early English history, Cornwell also delves into American history in some instances, and has no less a knack for producing excellent prose in such works. For those who have never read Cornwell, a brief overview of the book series he has produced serves as a good introduction and a way to select where to dive in:
The Sharpe Books
The Sharpe Books take place during the Napoleonic War between France and Great Britain, as well as the Peninsular war, during which Britain fought alongside allies Spain and Portugal. There are now over 20 titles in the Sharpe series, and the books have become so popular that actor Sean Bean was chosen to play the main character in a television adaptation of the book. The series spans the global, sprawling war between Great Britain and the French, and Cornwall has since expanded the series even further, with his protagonist Sharpe traveling further abroad.
The Starbuck Chronicles
The Starbuck Chronicles currently consist of four books, including Rebel, Copperhead, Battle Flag and The Bloody Ground. The series follows the exploits of Nathaniel Starbuck, a northerner caught below the Mason Dixon line at the outset of the American Civil War. With few options, Starbuck decides to fight for the South, becoming a so-called "Copperhead." The series is an excellent look at the battles fought between the U.S. states in the 1860s and there is a chance that Cornwell will come back to write more books to add to the existing four.
The Arthur Books
Cornwell's Arthur books consist of three titles, including The Winter King, Enemy of God and Excalibur. Rather than examining the Arthurian legend in the typical, romanticized manner, Cornwell treats Arthur as what he was - a warlord. Following Arthur in the sixth century as he fought to repel the Saxons from his native Britain, Cornwell captures the rich tradition of England, which as an isolated island nation went through various iterations to become the nation that it is today. The series is rich in history, as all of Cornwell's novels are.
The Saxon Stories
Continuing along the same lines as the Arthur books in terms of England's development, this series follows Uhtred, a member of the aristocracy in ninth century England who is captured by the Danes and taught the ways of the Viking raiders. Caught between the pagan Danes and Christian Saxons, Uhtred battles with his loyalties as King Alfred of Wessex seeks to combine the fragmented kingdoms of Britain to form a single, English nation. While the Arthur books lead the reader from the post-Roman era in Britain through the Saxon invasion, the Saxon stories likewise highlight the Saxon's attempts to throw off the chains of their would-be overlords, the Danes. At present, this series consists of five titles, including The Last Kingdom, The Pale Horseman, The Lords of the North, Sword Song and The Burning Land.
The Grail Quest
This tail of the Hundred Years War tells the story of archer Thomas Hookton, whose role in the English army as an archer sees him tangling regularly with the French. The series consists of Harlequin (Title "The Archer's Tale" in the U.S.), Vagabond and Heretic and adds a twist that relates to the search for the Holy Grail.
