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The Pale Horseman

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The Pale Horseman

By: Bernard Cornwell
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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About this listen

The second book in the epic and bestselling series that has gripped millions.

A hero will be forged from this broken land.

As seen on Netflix and BBC around the world.

A Saxon raised by Vikings. A pagan fighting for a Christian King. The conflict at the heart of a hero will be played out in the fight for England.

It is 877. Across the kingdoms of Britain the Danes are gaining strength. Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a pagan warrior, must decide who he will align with: the Vikings who raised him or Alfred, King of the West Saxons.

As the Danes make for Wessex and threaten to destroy the kingdom, Uhtred will forge an uneasy alliance with the king, to lead the last remaining Saxon army in a battle that will be a fight for the very existence of England.

 Action & Adventure Genre Fiction Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Royalty Thriller & Suspense War & Military World Literature Fiction Viking

Critic reviews

Praise for The Pale Horseman:

‘Bernard Cornwell is a literary miracle. Year after year, hail, rain, snow, war and political upheavals fail to prevent him from producing the most entertaining and readable historical novels of his generation.' Daily Mail

'Cornwell's narration is quite masterly and supremely well-researched.' Observer

‘It is stirring stuff, and few writers are better qualified than Cornwell to do justice to the excitement of the times…Ninth-century Britain and a master of storytelling – it is a marriage made in heaven.’ Sunday Telegraph

‘Cornwell’s mastery of historical sources and his aptitude for battle scenes is well established…the language, and particularly the dialogue, is raw and unarchaic, rich in insults and Anglo-Saxon expletives.’ Times Literary Supplement
All stars
Most relevant
This series is just breathtaking. Seriously, I kid you naught, it left me breathless more than once. I won't say that Cornwell's battle scenes are g rated, but I have read much more graphic...however Cornwell does have me having to slow myself down, alternately, afraid of what I am about to read, whilst at the same time trying to rush ahead to see what happens next. At one point in the novel, I think I actually said, "HOLY SHIT" in the middle of the night.

But before you wander off, thinking this isn't the story for me because you hate that type of thing, let me remind you that this isn't just about battles. In fact, there are only a few that take place in this novel. This is a novel about a young warrior named Uhtred. Northerner nobleman by birth, English by circumstance, Dane by force, Pagan by choice, but warrior at heart.

One has to be reminded time and time again that Uhtred is only a young man in this, the second novel, of the Saxon Stories. He is still battling with his choices, his conscious, his loyalties, his religion and most definitely with his warrior soul.

Watching Uhtred make his journey into adulthood and trying to weave his way through all that he faces, be it strategical, personal, or political, is in of itself, well worth the time it takes to read this series. You will be hard pressed to find someone that inspires or moves you as much as Uhtred does.

More than that though, this is an amazing retelling of history through fiction. I find myself searching for Alfred the Great and reading more about these battles and the locations. Of the defeats and the obsession of religion. Of how he came to be...and of how he came not to be..This is a story that inspires one to learn more about what came before.

I have always found England fascinating. From time to time, I've asked people, here in England, how does it feel to know that you walk where kings and knights have walked? On the very same ground. Where legends were born and countries were made? They often look at me like I am either daft or a lunatic. Here, however, is the proof. The very same places that I see around me are here, mentioned in this novel. The chalk grounds I see are where blood was spilled in the wars between the Saxons and the Danes.

That is what great story telling is about. As I went to sleep each night reading this novel, I awoke, not in the 21st century, but in the 9th. In England as it must have been then, the damp, the sound of battle cries in my head, the smell of fires, the bitter cold, and the knowledge that we fight for a cause...and her name is England...

The Pale Horseman

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What made the experience of listening to The Pale Horseman the most enjoyable?

Great story by a great narrator!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Uthred

What about Jonathan Keeble’s performance did you like?

Fantastic narrator!!!! Such heartfelt and emotive speaking! Made the book for me!!!

Any additional comments?

No

Narration brilliant!!!

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Just listened for the second time, brilliant narrative. I've read the books and watched the TV series but this is my favourite.

Brilliant

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A winning combination. Excellent historical tale by Cornwell narrated by a very talented Keeble make superb entertainment to say the least. There are many characters in the story and Keeble gave unique voices to each and every character. All exciting and lifelike. I love it. Thank you Bernard Cornwell and Jonathan Keeble.

Superb story telling

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Looking forward to the next book in the series and following the lead character

Fabulous story with an historical thread

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