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The Burning Land

The Last Kingdom Series, Book 5

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The Burning Land

By: Bernard Cornwell
Narrated by: Matt Bates
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About this listen

The fifth novel in Bernard Cornwell’s epic and bestselling series on the making of England and the fate of his great hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg.

BBC2’s major Autumn 2015 TV show THE LAST KINGDOM is based on the first two books in the series.

In the last years of the ninth century, King Alfred of Wessex is in failing health, and his heir is an untested youth. The Danes, who have failed so many times to conquer Wessex, smell opportunity…

First comes Harald Bloodhair, a savage warrior leading a Viking horde, who is encouraged to cruelty by his woman, Skade. But Alfred still has the services of Uhtred, his unwilling warlord, who leads Harald into a trap and, at Farnham in Surrey, inflicts one of the greatest defeats the Vikings were ever to suffer.

This novel, the fifth in the magnificent series of England's history tells of the final assaults on Alfred's Wessex, that Wessex survived to become England is because men like Uhtred defeated an enemy feared throughout Christendom.

©2019 Bernard Cornwell (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Action & Adventure Genre Fiction Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Thriller & Suspense War & Military World Literature Fiction Royalty England Middle Ages Viking Mystery

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Critic reviews

"Cornwell draws a fascinating picture of England as it might have been before anything like England existed." (The Times)

All stars
Most relevant
Was disappointed with this book
I can’t understand why
The first four books were read by
Jonathan Keeble and then we changed the
Narrator didn’t and couldn’t relate to the story teller at all

The burning land

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Why oh why has the reader been changed!!!!????? With Jonathan Keeble you had the feeling the story was told by a Saxon warrior.... such enthusiasm!!!!
Unfortunately, with Mr Bates it’s exactly the contrary.... Even the people names are pronounced differently and all the different people have the same voice, be they Danes, Welsh, Irish or Saxons... sometimes it,s difficult to know who is talking...!!!!! At the height of a battle, Mr Bates talks calmly and unconcernedly as if he was describing a calm landscape.....!!!!
A real shame!!!! I won’t go as far as another reader and forgo the rest of the story, but it’s a real shame that apparently the following books will be read by Mr Bates!!!!!

What a shame!!!!

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As all the reviews suggest, Jonathan Keeble has been replaced. I, like the majority, fell in love with these stories because of his excellent narration. I purchased this audiobook and was instantly dismayed; it was no longer the same, I couldn't bear the difference. Not only were names pronounced differently, but I believed I had been listening to Uhtred relive his life to us, now it wasn't him and it will stay that way for the remainder of the series. I had no choice but to shelve the book for a while. However, the story had been so excellent I had to give it another chance.

6 months has elapsed since my first attempt at this audiobook, in which time I have listen to and read around 20 other books. This has helped me to forget the sound I had come to expect from these wonderful books and it almost reset my expectations. Now I have finished listening to Matt Bates as Uhtred and I have surprisingly grown to like his version of him. It may not be quite as theatrical as Jonathan Keebles version, however, Matt brings his own charm to the book and I must say by the end I really did enjoy his performance. I do not think I would have managed to do this without giving it plenty of time, I will admit I still struggled with names changing such as Steapa and Gisella but ultimately I wanted the story to continue so I had to grin and bear it; I am glad I did.

It goes without saying, but as I am reviewing the story I best give it the credit it deserves; as per usual Bernard Cornwell has done an outstanding job, filled with more of the same we know and love from this excellent series. I cannot wait to find out what happens next! Bravo!

In summary, If like me you fell in love with this series, do not let the change in narrator put you off, but you may need to consider giving yourself time to adjust before continuing with Uthred's journey, if you do, it's worth the wait.

Give it time!

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Firstly, I miss Jonathan Keeble. His performances in books 1-4 were fantastic and I was disappointed to see that subsequent books were narrated by others. That feeling has only grown after having listened to Book 5.

The pronunciation of some names is just terrible and it takes away from the listening experience.
The best example is probably how he pronounces Ragnar's name as "Rangnar" (seriously, why?). Another is his pronunciation of Steapa's name as "Steeper". Jarring.

Bates is also inconsistent in his use of character voices. Generally just not good enough.

Poor narration spoils a fantastic story

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Still a great book, but the new narrator is not a patch on the one who reads the first 4 books. His Danes sound like they are all from Birmingham and his Irish and welsh arn’t much better. He does the rest of the series though so better get used to it.

Not keen on the new narrator.

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