tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post3835740859129296273..comments2024-03-27T22:25:42.129-05:00Comments on Reading the Past: Book review: Hawk Quest, by Robert LyndonSarah Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-52082173035097083202013-03-24T12:45:51.184-05:002013-03-24T12:45:51.184-05:00Thanks for the update - that's great news for ...Thanks for the update - that's great news for American readers. I hope it does well here.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-22857546025998454872013-03-24T11:46:05.004-05:002013-03-24T11:46:05.004-05:00I thought I'd update anyone interested in this...I thought I'd update anyone interested in this novel on US publication dates. I live in Washington, DC and just wandered into a used bookstore that sells advance review copies. To my delight, I found an ARC of "Hawk Quest." It's apparently going to be published in the U.S this April (2013) by a new imprint Redhook Books. I am SO excited to be able to read this! Historical Fiction Notebookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17896536092966020680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-82760378299904087952012-09-23T10:29:06.329-05:002012-09-23T10:29:06.329-05:00What you say sounds vaguely familiar, but I've...What you say sounds vaguely familiar, but I've only been able to find mention of a 2-book deal with S&S UK, to cover Hastings and Stamford Bridge. Per <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Last-Conquest-Berwick-Coates/dp/1471111946/" rel="nofollow">Amazon UK</a>, At the Grey Apple Tree appears to have been retitled "The Last Conquest" with an April 2013 pub date. If you learn more about a 3rd novel, please drop a line! With his style being described as akin to Ken Follett's, I'm expecting more than an action saga too.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-61106414984140038982012-09-23T03:19:03.612-05:002012-09-23T03:19:03.612-05:00Actually, it's my understanding that he has be...Actually, it's my understanding that he has been commissioned to write three novels, the other two focussing on Stamford Bridge and the Battle of Fulford. It's hard to find out much but it looks as though the book centres around characterisation rather than just the blood and guts. The person I was talking to is in the book trade and I got the impression that this was going to be a big novel for next year. Does anyone know any more about it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-21258537057689609012012-04-03T09:04:31.988-05:002012-04-03T09:04:31.988-05:00The sale must have been very recent because I wasn...The sale must have been very recent because I wasn't able to find a date either. It's not a bad move, going with a sf/f publisher, even though this book isn't fantasy. Plenty of fantasy fans read HF, and they don't mind long books!Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-84824885299496951642012-04-02T22:11:29.540-05:002012-04-02T22:11:29.540-05:00Great review, Sarah. It made me want to read it, d...Great review, Sarah. It made me want to read it, despite its daunting size. Do we know a US pub date? He mentioned an Orbit sale here but I can't seem to find an actual date for publication anywhere.C.W. Gortnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11881402758065602605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-21105773117710271622012-03-17T14:48:47.741-05:002012-03-17T14:48:47.741-05:00ndbef heortimthemy lemparesGodwin was certainly ru...ndbef heortimthemy lemparesGodwin was certainly ruthless- a necessary attribute for any man wanting to make his way in the 11th century- but I think it has to be remembered that our perceptions of historical figures are inevitably shaped by the agendas of those writing about them, and the Normans in particular had no reason to love Godwin.<br /><br />The Godwinssons are such a wonderful example of a powerful, disfunctional family (easily rivalling the much better-known Plantagenets), that it's always surprised me that more authors haven't taken advantage of their dramatic story as a subject.Annishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02367569632016734415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-12477697141938889632012-03-17T12:12:50.165-05:002012-03-17T12:12:50.165-05:00Thanks for the info, and the link - I'd wonder...Thanks for the info, and the link - I'd wondered from the description if his character Godwin was the future Earl of Wessex, who as you say doesn't come off well in history, or in the novels where he's a minor character.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-44206224676489818382012-03-16T23:35:57.035-05:002012-03-16T23:35:57.035-05:00Yes- I loved "Shieldwall" - review here....Yes- I loved "Shieldwall" - <a href="http://www.historicalnovels.info/Shieldwall.html" rel="nofollow">review here</a>. Hill is the master of the evocative, and he captures an Anglo-Saxon warrior sensibilty beautifully- the whole novel echoes with the haunting cadences of heroic Englisc poetry. <br /><br />For me "Shieldwall" was in some ways reminiscent of Rosemary Sutcliff's Arthurian novel "Sword at Sunset", with its central partnership of two young sword-brothers and a warrior-prince trying to recreate an England united against an invading enemy, who is ultimately defeated by treachery. However Justin Hill tells me that while he loved "Eagle of the Ninth" as a youngster, he has never read "Sword at Sunset".<br /><br />Looking forward to the next in the series, and Godwin makes a great subject, generally neglected in HF.Annishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02367569632016734415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-18985530088367839242012-03-16T20:45:15.856-05:002012-03-16T20:45:15.856-05:00I agree. Gore-fests aren't my thing, which is ...I agree. Gore-fests aren't my thing, which is why I stick to historical adventure novels that aren't so stereotypical. I haven't read many Hereward novels... seems there was another new one besides Binns and Wilde. Speaking of the 11th c (if not 1066 and all that), have you read Justin Hill's Shieldwall?<br /><br />I'm sure you're right about the organization of the volumes in Coates' series.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-76649427155581944582012-03-16T19:21:25.927-05:002012-03-16T19:21:25.927-05:00You're right about the recent slew of novels s...You're right about the recent slew of novels set around the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Unfortunately many of these historical adventures have a common tendency to degenerate into blood-fests rather than focusing on character development, and "Hawk Quest" makes a pleasing exception.<br /><br /> Hereward is certainly making a come-back- I recently read James Wilde's "Hereward", which shows signs of promise and definitely improves as it goes along, but doesn't quite manage to rise above the swamp of gore galore. I don't feel that anyone has really portrayed Hereward the Wake to my satisfaction to date, though Jack Ogden's "Brainbiter" came close. Wilde's version is at least several notches above Stewart Binns' "Conquest", about which the least said the better ( acting on the principle if you can't say anything good, don't say anything at all).<br /><br />Wonder why Berwick Coates' series doesn't start with the Battle of Stamford Bridge, which came before the Battle of Hastings? Perhaps because few people are familiar with it and it wouldn't catch reader attention as readily.? And no HF author that I know of has covered the third significant battle of 1066 in the lead-up to Hastings (chronologically the first) - the Battle of Fulford Gate.Annishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02367569632016734415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-26764562679527926922012-03-16T07:34:20.021-05:002012-03-16T07:34:20.021-05:00Heather, I hope your research project turned out w...Heather, I hope your research project turned out well. This one has a different perspective on the Norman Conquest since it shows its aftermath in the northern part of the country rather than focusing on the usual battles or historical figures.<br /><br />Great review, Annis! Thanks for the link to Falcata Times - I hadn't seen his post before. 250,000 words... that's something. Fortunately, the novel was of such high quality that it didn't pose a problem in terms of sales, but most authors are advised to keep them below 100K! I didn't know about the sale to Orbit in the US either. Very nice.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-59190790727923016712012-03-15T23:51:33.430-05:002012-03-15T23:51:33.430-05:00Pleased to see that you enjoyed this one, Sarah. A...Pleased to see that you enjoyed this one, Sarah. As you say, it's a cut above the average, even though the central premise of the company of oddly assorted characters on a quest is a familiar one in both the fantasy and historical adventure genres. I had a bit of a rave about it in my review at the Historical Novels Info website.<br /><br />Robert Lyndon has said he's working on a sequel, though "Hawk Quest" will be a hard act to follow! It's interesting to read his <a href="http://falcatatimes.blogspot.co.nz/2012/01/guest-blog-inspiration-for-hawk-quest.html" rel="nofollow">blog post at Falcata Times</a> -it was a hard slog for him and if no publisher had taken up the option to buy the rights to "Hawk Quest" he would have had to put his house on the market!Annishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02367569632016734415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-83930488045268809042012-03-12T19:36:14.134-05:002012-03-12T19:36:14.134-05:00Oh this sounds wonderful. I have actually spent A...Oh this sounds wonderful. I have actually spent ALL DAY working on my research project about the Norman Conquest and then I see this and it actually brightened up my day. I will have to keep an eye out for it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16609161113240681299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-78800370351252375422012-03-08T14:55:31.581-06:002012-03-08T14:55:31.581-06:00Now that you mention it, all but one of the chunks...Now that you mention it, all but one of the chunksters I've read in 2012 have been either from UK presses or US publishers outside the mainstream. I hear from authors all the time about how they're asked to condense, simplify, and cut rather than create a sprawling epic (which are expensive to produce) but it's often the epics such as those from Gabaldon and Follett which are the bestsellers. A lot of that's down to their storytelling ability, of course, but I believe you're right about people's desire for lengthier, meatier, multi-layered stories.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-74678157313912982282012-03-08T13:18:41.702-06:002012-03-08T13:18:41.702-06:00Sarah,
And I can't even remember how many peo...Sarah, <br />And I can't even remember how many people have commented to me that they love reading big books. And when you look at historical author interviews etc. Their favorite, most influential books are long series like Dorothy Dunnetts,Lymond series or the House of Nicollo. Although not Big books, I think they qualify - It's the long, rich, many layered stories that have influenced so many. And we yearn for them. I think that is part of the reason books like Ken Follett's medieval stories were so popular. <br />Judith Schara CaldwellJudith Scharahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06629065670753694883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-48186356870848703512012-03-08T12:55:14.322-06:002012-03-08T12:55:14.322-06:00That's an excellent way of describing the expe...That's an excellent way of describing the experience, Judith! I agree. You're right, too, I don't see adventure novels on this scale coming out from American publishers.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-41580728218843307332012-03-08T10:52:08.264-06:002012-03-08T10:52:08.264-06:00I happened to get a used copy (from the UK) severa...I happened to get a used copy (from the UK) several weeks ago and once started could not put it down. Although some nights I was exhausted by the tension and sheer physical scope of the novel and had to rest, my interest never flagged. And it is truly a Big book. so many pages! It gives you enough time to settle into Lyndon's world and feel what this magnificent adventure reveals. I wish our American publishers would print more big books like this. You just don't get the same experience in a 3 or 400 page novel. <br />Judith Schara CaldwellJudith Scharahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06629065670753694883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-11287138053630957552012-03-08T07:34:58.779-06:002012-03-08T07:34:58.779-06:00Yep - I'm seeing the same thing. It's an ...Yep - I'm seeing the same thing. It's an inconvenience to see so many UK titles unavailable on BD (it's happens so often that I rarely can buy from them direct) but getting it from ABE with free postage is very nice.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-20672944420059447442012-03-08T07:30:44.429-06:002012-03-08T07:30:44.429-06:00You made me wonder if I'd got it wrong so I lo...You made me wonder if I'd got it wrong so I looked up my history on Depository and it wasn't there. But when I looked on my history at Abe it was there, bought from Depository, and still postage free. I live in Canada not the UK so the same should be available for the US.crothshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09069972891852583031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-56029964704125675782012-03-08T07:19:33.381-06:002012-03-08T07:19:33.381-06:00That's why I opted for it too - there were so ...That's why I opted for it too - there were so many stellar reviews. I understand why now. The quality of the writing is a cut above. Alas, for this one Book Depository isn't a direct option for those of us in the US. It's listed as unavailable. But if you buy from them via ABE, that works.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-11089156483411621652012-03-08T06:25:22.809-06:002012-03-08T06:25:22.809-06:00I am actually reading this book at the moment. Onl...I am actually reading this book at the moment. Only just started, too soon to say but liking it so far. It is very different from my usual choice but I read so many rave reviews I had to try it. Someone mentioned the price, I bought it through Book Depository in the UK. The price I found very reasonable and postage is free.crothshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09069972891852583031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-10109685659130203932012-03-07T15:23:01.937-06:002012-03-07T15:23:01.937-06:00This sounds really interesting!This sounds really interesting!Kailanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11136262232046813471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-37639266544635521582012-03-07T14:56:52.455-06:002012-03-07T14:56:52.455-06:00ps - 1066 and after does seem to be where it's...ps - 1066 and after does seem to be where it's at lately. There's a multitude of new novels out about Hereward the Wake, plus I just saw <a href="http://www.booktrade.info/index.php/showarticle/39295/nl" rel="nofollow">this publishing deal</a> in booktrade.info this morning. I'd love to see more women's fiction set in this period too.Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-47502199776735137042012-03-07T14:53:40.228-06:002012-03-07T14:53:40.228-06:00Yes - I've been trying to read some outside my...Yes - I've been trying to read some outside my usual arena! For those who enjoy historical adventure, this would be an excellent choice. You're right - as it's published by Little Brown UK, it won't be on Amazon.com, but you might try Abebooks. Book Depository and other UK sellers have new editions available via that avenue, most of which are postage-free. Imho, and nobody's paying me to say this, but $20 for a huge trade paperback that took me over a week to read isn't bad at all :)Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.com