2008-09-14 Not for me, I'm afraid

OK, I give up. I wanted to like this, I really did. As a teenager I read and loved Frans Bengtsson's "The Long Ships", and I was hoping to recapture some of that chilly evocation of the dark ages; this "authentic" Arthurian trilogy is supposed to be among Cornwell's best work (and is indeed his own favourite).

But it just didn't do it. Lots of Celtic names, lots of "he said, she said", lots of fighting... but zero engagement with this reader; I didn't make it to the end.

Sorry Bernard, but this (and its two sequels) are going back to the charity shop.