Edward Rutherford

Advantages: Thoroughly researched, ambitious, takes in the full span of English history
Disadvantages: Weak characterisation, chapters of varying quality

...“Sarum” is an ambitious book to say the least. Weighing in at an impressive 1300 pages, it represents an epic historical novel, several years of research and writing and a good many hours of reading. (Or listening - Sarum is also available on audiobook, with a running time of some 47 hours!) Rather than focussing on one era of history as most authors chose to do, Edward Rutherford has rather traced the entire course of English history from the Mesolithic to the present day (or at least 1987; the present day at the publication of the work) of one region over the course of this book. It was both this ambition and a number of personal recommendations that led me to read Sarum; I was intrigued to see just how such a lengthy and eventful span of time could be condensed into one novel. And more to the point, could it be done effectively... Read review

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Advantages: excellent character development, historical accuracy
Disadvantages: sometimes distracted from thread of story by 'history lessons'

...If you ask a typical school student they will usually tell you that their most boring subject is history, so full of dates and musty, irrelevant seeming facts that it is hard to keep your eyes open. Well, Edward Rutherford in his daring and epic novel series beginning with the international best seller 'Sarum' has challenged this view of history (with one of those glove slap across the face gestures I am sure) and beaten it in a bloody duel. 'The Forest' is Edward Rutherford's fourth novel and shares many of the conventions of his last three (Sarum, Russka and London) - following the lives of a small group of families interconnected through generations ('The Forest' beginning in 1099 and stretching to April 2000) and centred in the same small area of land which is both shaped by them and shapes them. Despite being a work... Read review

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Advantages: An easy way to get a broad idea of Russia in an entertaining way.
Disadvantages: A very large book which can take a while to get through

...I've been a fan of Edward Rutherford since I discovered "Sarum". Having also read his book "London" I was very keen to sample "Russka", and I was not disappointed. Russka chronicles the history of Russia from the pre Christian settlers through to the post Communist early 1990's. As with all Rutherford's books the reader is taken on a chronological history as they follow the lives of a number of key families through the generations. I was a little wary of Russka before I started the book. I was unsure whether I would be sufficiently interested in the history of the country, and whether I could cope with all the Russian names, to keep ploughing on for over 700 pages of fiction. However, my doubts were dispelled very quickly. I found the book to be very well written and the stories certainly held my attention. I was especially... Read review

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