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Sons of the Wolf (Sons Of The Wolf #1)

Paula Lofting

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Aug 03, 2013 Anna Belfrage rated it really liked it

Set in the 11th century, a decade or so before the battle of Hastings, the Sons of the Wolf tells the story of Wulfhere, thegn of Horstede and his family. That Horstede had a thegn named Wulfhere is established fact as per the Domesday Book (a very nice touch in my opinion), but the author makes it very clear that apart from the name and the location, her Wulfhere is a fictional hero, however involved he is in the actual events of his time.

The novel has a substantial amount of cameo characters, Set in the 11th century, a decade or so before the battle of Hastings, the Sons of the Wolf tells the story of Wulfhere, thegn of Horstede and his family. That Horstede had a thegn named Wulfhere is established fact as per the Domesday Book (a very nice touch in my opinion), but the author makes it very clear that apart from the name and the location, her Wulfhere is a fictional hero, however involved he is in the actual events of his time.

The novel has a substantial amount of cameo characters, most of them based on real people. Harold Godwinson, Edward the Confessor, Gruffyd of Wales – they all make an appearance in Ms Loftings novel, and in general I think the author does a very good job in breathing life into these long dead people. In particular, Ms Lofting has done an excellent job depicting the Godwinson brothers – and their sister, Queen Edith. The historical context is rich and well-described, and I was particularly impressed by the description of the Battle of Hereford – Ms Lofting succeeds in conveying the grime, the blood, the sheer terror of fighting hand to hand.

I am, however, less taken by some of the main characters. While I like Wulfhere – quite a lot – I am irritated not to find out the root cause for his feud with his obnoxious neighbour Helghi, and I find Wulfhere’s children - especially his twin sons, who seem to spend most of their considerable energy in terrorising their younger brother and sister - unlikeable

Add to this an infected marital relationship, and it is clear poor Wulfhere doesn’t have the most harmonious of family lives. It is Wulfhere’s infidelity that has caused the breach with his wife – or rather the fact that he fell in love with his mistress – but in those times it wasn’t uncommon for a man to have other women than his wife, so Ealdgytha’s reaction doesn’t ring entirely true - especially as she is not the warmest of women. As a reader, it's not difficult to understand why Wulfhere seeks solace in other arms.

Wulfhere’s emotional bonds to the Earl of Wessex and his comrades in arms are both apparent and well-depicted, and especially his impassioned speech after the debacle of the battle of Hereford is loaded with anger, with horror at what he’s seen, with grief for those who died.

As stated already at the beginning, Ms Lofting clearly knows her period, and for those wanting to learn more about this period in English history, this book is an erudite introduction, imparting a lot of information without being too heavy-handed. The historical facts are skilfully inserted into the fictional story, but while Wulfhere is a likeable man that it is easy to root for, it’s the scenes centred round the real historical protagonists of the time that are the best.
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Jun 06, 2013 Carol McGrath rated it it was amazing

I loved this book. It follows the story of a family on a small estate in the turbulent years before Hastings. The father of the house fights for Earl Harold on the Welsh borders, his heart is torn between two women and his sons have their own quarrels. Then there is a daughter whose story I have thoroughly enjoyed. Paula Lofting takes us right into the heart of an English thegne's family on the eve of great changes. She totally recreates the early medieval world and draws a reader right into it. ...more

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Feb 21, 2017 Paula Lofting added it · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Oct 22, 2012 Helen Hart rated it it was amazing

Nov 07, 2012 Jules Frusher rated it liked it

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