Breath of Kings

by Gene Farrington

This is the story of Emma, of the Ducal House of Normandy, the wife of two kings, the mother of two kings, who spent her life struggling to exert power and control over the English throne, much of it battling her son, King and Saint, Edward the Confessor. Farrington deals with the realities of the Norman, Saxon, Danish medieval violent, crude, difficult, mystical, filthy, corrupt, imbued with sex, but dominated by religion. This is the time just before the Conquest with Athelred, the unready, Canute the Great and the powerful Saxon Godwins. Adhering to the historical accuracy of events, Farrington brings to life with graphic details, this tumultuous period of English history, the last reigns of the Saxons and Danes over England. It's a book you can stick your teeth in and stay with for a good read. The work was originally published by Doubleday in the mid eights, now out of print, it is being rereleased here.

Genres: Historical Fiction

542 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1982

Reviews

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best

Not a single thing missing from this book. Details like I have never read before and not boring nor do they drag the story. Like some of the other reviews, it does start a bit slow but it does pick up and never looks back. It will take you on a wonderful journey. One of the best.

[Tandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an exceptional display of historical detail and characterization. Although the plot is sometimes slow and too involved, it's still a good read. What makes it most interesting is that Farrington uses a time period not well known by most; before England was a united kingdom as we think of it after the battle of Hastings when wide scale feudalism took over.

The settings in this novel are vividly rendered and full of very rich detail, and Farrinton manages to mix historical fact with legend and magic in a very intriguing cocktail. A great read for anyone with an interest in pre-medieval history.

[Supreya Mahabir · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a looong book. But worth spending your reading time.