Who was Alfred the Great, and what claim did he have on such a title? Why should this King, of all Kings, receive such exultation? The answers to these questions bear looking into in light of today's world of fast morals and loose talk.
Arthur, born the fifth son of the King of Wessex, seemed unlikely to ascend to his father's throne. However, a combination of disease and Viking marauders removed his father and all the brothers in line before him. Alfred was just 23 years old in 871 when he assumed the crown of a failing kingdom at the brink of annihilation from a plague of Vikings.
In the face of this challenge and in response to a need for literacy, law reform, and morality among his own people, Alfred more than proved himself capable. His cultural reforms set the stage for formation of a United Kingdom and remain with us today.
This book has earned a place on my "keeper" shelf. I will return and reread it time and again. Ben Merkle's vivid writing style brings Alfred and his times to life and makes reading The White Horse King a pure delight. One caveat: if you are tender-hearted, skip the description of the death of King Aelle by means of the blood eagle. I understand why, in a culture inoculated against sensitivity to death by a steady television diet, the publisher chose to include such details, but I require no such sensitizing. Reading this passage actually traumatized me for several days and has placed an unpleasant image in my memory, probably for life. Irregardless, The White Horse King deserves its place on my shelf.
I recommend this book for adult readers.
© 2010 Janalyn Voigt
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for purposes of review.
Sounds like a great historical read. Not sure about the graphic death scene, either. Why does everything have to be graphic?
ReplyDeleteHi, Maryann.
ReplyDeleteI know we writers are taught to show not tell, but in this case I'd have preferred a simple explanation that his death was gory instead of the actual details. It's too bad, too, because otherwise I'd recommend the book for older children and teens.
We really need to understand our past in order to make sense of the present and to prepare effectively for the future. Thank you for such a good work. I will have to go find it. As for "show, don't tell," that is the most overdone piece of advice there is. All good novels show and tell. The trick is to find the best mix for the particular book you are writing. For anyone interested, please check out my book trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybU-vj4A068 . Thanks!
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