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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Last Kingdom summary
Bernard Cornwell
Brief summary
The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell is a historical fiction novel set in 9th century England. It follows the story of Uhtred, a young nobleman who is captured by the Danes and must navigate the conflicts between his Saxon upbringing and his Danish captors.
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The Last Kingdom
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The Dawn of Invasion and Resistance
In The Last Kingdom, Bernard Cornwell transports us to a time when England was not yet a united nation, but a collection of separate kingdoms besieged by Vicking invasions. The story unfolds through the eyes of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, an English nobleman's son. His life takes a dramatic turn when Danish raiders seize Bebbanburg, murder his father, and take him captive. Instead of ending his life, the invaders raise young Uhtred as one of their own. As he grows, Uhtred finds himself torn between his Danish foster family and his English ancestry.
Uhtred's loyalties are further tested when his surrogate father, Ragnar the Fearless, is killed in a brutal fire by a rival Danish chieftain, inciting Uhtred's thirst for revenge. In his quest for vengeance, he returns to Wessex, the only kingdom in England that has successfully held out against the Danish onslaught, led by the Christian King Alfred. Uhtred grapples with his mixed loyalties between pagan Vikings who nurtured him and Christian countrymen demanding allegiance for protection.
The Collision of Cultures and Faiths
The pivotal part of the narrative in The Last Kingdom concerns Uhtred's complex relationship with King Alfred. Uhtred, a pagan at heart, struggles to reconcile his belief system with Alfred's vision of a Christian England. While he pledges his allegiance to Alfred, Uhtred is continually drawn back to his Danish roots, resulting in a constant tug-of-war between the two cultures.
The author starkly portrays the contrasting environments: the pagan Danes revel in life's pleasures, while the Christian Saxons are depicted as somber and rigid, embracing suffering as piety. Yet, both have one thing in common: they are warriors, fighting for what they believe in and to maintain their way of life.
Warfare and Strategies for Survival
As the story progresses in The Last Kingdom, we witness Uhtred maturing into a formidable warrior and leader, honing his craft in battle strategy and diplomacy. He also develops a deep understanding of the political intricacies involved in unifying a divided country. Uhtred aids King Alfred in defending and reclaiming England from the Danes, despite his incongruent beliefs and contested loyalties.
Cornwell vividly recreates the brutal warfare of the period, agonizing sieges, and daring ambushes. Through Uhtred's eyes, we experience both the horror and thrill of Viking-era warfare, exposing the raw brutality and heroic valor inherent in these conflicts.
The Saga's Promising Continuation
The end of The Last Kingdom leaves us anticipating the next adventures of Uhtred. Despite his significant contribution to holding the Danes at bay, Uhtred remains an outsider due to his pagan roots and unpredictable loyalties. Bereft of lands and titles, he decides to walk back into the chaos of the north, towards his ancestral homeland of Bebbanburg, promising to reclaim it.
In conclusion, The Last Kingdomstokes intrigue and propels readers into an era of conflicting cultures and warring kingdoms. While the heart of the story is a tale of divided loyalties, it also underscores the power of ambition, vengeance, and survival. The book sets the stage for an epic saga, where a nation's destiny hinges on a conflicted hero trying to find his place in a rapidly changing world.
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What is The Last Kingdom about?
The Last Kingdom follows the journey of Uhtred, a young nobleman raised by Vikings in 9th-century England. It is a thrilling historical fiction that depicts the clash between the Vikings and the Saxons. Uhtred must navigate between his Viking upbringing and his loyalty to the kingdom of Wessex, torn between two worlds.
Who should read The Last Kingdom?
- History enthusiasts looking for a gripping and well-researched novel
- Fans of historical fiction and epic adventure
- Readers interested in the Viking Age and English history
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