Lord of Sunset

I own several works by Parke Godwin, but honestly had them placed low on my reading list. Finally, after being motivated by the Valerie Anand trilogy centered around 1066, I delved into this book. WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG?!! Parke Godwin is a masterful story teller. Far from the typical one-sided account of a story, Mr. Godwin takes the reader from one character's perspective to another - told in that character's voice. He brillantly shows his skill by incorporating not only the perspective of the main character, Harold II, but includes the perspectives of Edith (his wife), William the Confessor, Botulf (a servant), William of Normandy, Tostig(his brother), his sister and more. Each one weaves seamlessly into the next so that the story continues to flow and yet separates just enough for you to anxiously await the author's next attempt at that character's telling. It is truly one of the very best books I've read and I'll never part with my copy. RARELY do I read books a second time - this one I will!!!

Excellent account of Harold Godwinsson and the events that lead up to the Norman invasion. Even though we all know the ending of this story, I kept finding myself "hoping" that Harold would somehow prevail in the end. If you read Lord of Sunset, you might wanna read King Hereafter by Dorothy Dunnett next. There is considerable overlap between the two books, and many of the same characters.

Having already and read -- and enjoyed -- Sherwood and Robin and the King, I suspected that I'd like Lord of Sunset. I was not disappointed -- Godwin comes through again with an exceptional historical novel that kept me flipping pages long after I should have turned out the light and gone to bed. What I enjoy most about Godwin is that he makes history come alive with characters who are, at the same time, dreaming big dreams and putting their mark on the world AND dealing with the everyday petty squables and boring routine of their day-to-day lives. The characters plot and dream and scheme and influence the world about them, but they also go to the bathroom and plow fields. This makes them human, which -- for me, at least -- makes them that much easier to identify with. Overall, a wonderful read; I'd give it six stars if I could.

This book was just too good. Godwin let us see through the eyes of everyone I would've wanted to see through. This book was different than the ones I've read in the past on Harold. If anyone has read any books on him other than this one, Muntz's "The Golden Warrior," Lytton's "Harold, Last of the Saxon Kings," or Lloyd's "1066: Making of the King" please let me know. I can't get enough of this story.

Parke Godwin understands the human soul and psyche, and he reveals his insight to us in prose that is sometimes heartbreakingly lyrical and sometimes brutally basic. He tends to choose as his subjects characters which are larger than life -- LORD OF SUNSET is no exception -- and as ever, he is more than equal to the challenge. He has a superb sense of time and place, and renders his historical detail smoothly. He is a careful crafter of character, story, setting and detail who makes every sentence a joy. I've read every one of his books, and have never been disappointed.