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The Pale Horseman
Saxon Stories
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TPH: Section 1 - Chapters 1-4
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Just started. Funny how much of the TV series was told in the second book. Had I known that, I would have read TPH earlier. But it's funny to compare the two right now: in the TV series, for instance, I thought Alfred was exaggerating a lot when he made Uhtred repent instead of acclaiming him as a hero. When I read it, it actually makes more sense, there was this new law against unsheathing a sword in Alfred's presence. The scene looks a bit less dramatic, or maybe it just comes as less of a shock to me because I knew where it was going? Also, Aethelwold actually chose to repent voluntarily, just to help Uhtred! A funny little detail.
I don't know when the show returns but I really need to get a few books ahead. I am constantly comparing the book to the show and it's becoming a distraction for me. @Teanka- I think you're right about the repentance scene, as I recall the show had villagers lined up throwing things and jeering at the two of them.
I'm interested in this Haesten character. I'm wondering if he will become a trusted man for Uhtred after the scene with the "cows that are there to kill us".
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The book has clarified some stuff the show kind of glossed over.
Since I haven't (yet) watched the show, I don't have that comparison. I liked Aethelwold's "repentance" and all his yelling!I remember thinking last book that it was a mistake not to take the flag and axe and claim credit. I understood his reasons, but I'm glad that wasn't just dropped - and that I was right :)
Yeah, same here. When he rode to get his wife back, I thought "this is so going to bite you in the ass".Although I didn't think Aethelwold did his repentance to help Uhtred at all. He did it so that Uhtred would owe him a favour, so ultimately he did it for himself. And I dare say that he will probably use that favour well, I don't think he is half as carefree as Cornwell wants us to believe. The point that he is powerless and forced to spend his time drinking and whoring and not much else is made so often, it's bound to change at some point in the future.
I loved them going pirating, and I like Iseult much better than Mildrith, even though that's really not Mildrith's fault.
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Aethelwold also used the moment as an opportunity to embarrass the king.
I really loved these chapters in the book and I think this book has started more strongly than the last one.I think Leofric was right to advice Uthred to take the axe and flag of ubba lothbrokson to the king, but Uthred is dane by heart and I think he misjudges Alfred in this.
Odda the Younger grabs that chance and establishes himself in the good graces of Alfred, also I think either Alfred is try to teach Uthred some humility because I don't think he is dumb to believe that Odda killed Ubba.
Mildred sucks big time, I think she is one of the cause that he goes and start behaving like danes and raiding the villages on the brutish side.
Also if only they had killed the priest Assa, because he comes to back to bite Uthred back.
Iseult is better suited to wild Uthred than the homely Mildred. Man I hope Uthred joins Ragnar again and manages to teach all these vermin priests and monks some humility.
Alfred is definitely being dumb to trust Guthrum the Unlucky, I think being in the company of all those priests is doing that to him.
Good comments - I so agree. Some of those actions frustrate me so much, but they are consistent with the characters.
Please keep all discussion and speculation to the events of Chapters 1-4.
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