The Winter King (1995)

by Bernard Cornwell

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: The Warlord Chronicles (1)

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▾LibraryThing recommendations

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The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell (Donogh)
Donogh: As you rooted for the British against the Saxons in Cornwell's 'The Winter King', so shall you root for the Saxons agains the Danes in Cornwell's 'The Last Kingdom'

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Okay, so I'm a sucker for the Arthurian legend... But as someone who primarily reads "literary" works, I must say a well-told story is something worth cherishing. Cornwell is a master story-teller. (

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ElizabethAndrew | May 13, 2013 |

I love this trilogy. It could be badly done: writing about Arthur from the point of view of someone completely invented? But it works, and you come to care about Derfel. (

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shanaqui | Apr 9, 2013 |

Brilliant dark Arthurian story (

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Chris.Graham | Apr 5, 2013 |

I was pretty disappointed. If I'm going to read an Arthurian series, I want magic, mystery, Merlin and the works. I put it down after 100 pages. Good writing. Just not my cup of tea in this genre. (

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journeyguy | Apr 2, 2013 |

Excellent novel. Cornwell has truly taken the Arthurian legend and made it his own. All the old names are here, but often in much different forms than expected.

This tale is told by one of Arthur's warriors, Derfel. In his old age, Derfel has become a monk. While serving as such, he is writing the story of Arthur, who he knew personally.

Cornwell's Arthur is a delight. While maintaining a degree of the larger-than-life qualities we come to expect of this character, Cornwell makes him human. Gives him flaws. While he strives to realize his dream of a free, united Britain, his shortcomings often get in the way. Derfel sees his flaws and his loyalty does not waver.

This is probably the most "real" I've seen an Arthurian story done, due to the way Cornwell handles his characters. Some are heroic, some are villainous. Some go both ways. But they all have a human element that gives them authenticity.

There are two more books in the series, and though this one left off at a good pause point, I'll certainly be seeking those out. (

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Texas_Reaver | Mar 31, 2013 |

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Cornwell, Bernard	—	primary author	all editions	confirmed
Alsberg, Rebecca	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Calado, Ivanir Alves	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Cardeñoso, Concha	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Case, David	Narrator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

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Series (with order)

The Warlord Chronicles (1)

Canonical title

The Winter King

Original title

The Winter King: A Novel of Arthur

Alternative titles

Original publication date

1995

People/Characters

King Arthur (Arthur Pendragon)

Important places

Important events

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Epigraph

Dedication

The Winter King is for Judy, with love

First words

Once upon a time, in a land that was called Britain, these things happened.

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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

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Wikipedia in English (2)

The Warlord Chronicles

The Winter King

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Amazon.com Amazon.com Review (ISBN 0312156960, Paperback)

Essentially this is a modern political thriller, told in flat American diction. Narrated by Derfel, an ordinary, likable man who rises through the ranks to become Arthur's friend and advisor in peace and war, the story doesn't follow the traditional patterns. Mordred is Uther's infant grandson, the legitimate king; Arthur is one of Mordred's guardians, sworn to hold the kingdom against the Saxon warlords until Mordred comes of age. Warfare is incessant. Arthur's dream of peace and unity seems unattainable. Derfel's own story--his strange origin, his love for Nimue, his worries and his triumphs--parallels Arthur's as he fights for and beside him.

Bernard Cornwell downplays the magic that enlivens the traditional stories, depicting it more as a combination of superstition and shrewd wits. I recommend this with reservations; though it's absorbing to read, the emphasis on battles and politics means that this will greatly appeal to some fantasy readers, but disappoint others.

(retrieved from Amazon Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:18:50 -0400)

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▾Library descriptions

Set in Britain's Dark Ages, this story of Arthur journeys beyond the usual tales of chivalry and romance to introduce Arthur as a man of honor, loyalty, amazing valor, and a man who loves Guinevere more passionately than ever before. It takes a remarkable writer to make an old story as fresh and compelling as the first time we heard it. With The Winter King, the first volume of his magnificent Warlord Chronicles, Bernard Cornwell finally turns to the story he was born to write: the mythic saga of King Arthur. The tale begins in Dark Age Britain, a land where Arthur has been banished and Merlin has disappeared, where a child-king sits unprotected on the throne, where religion vies with magic for the souls of the people. It is to this desperate land that Arthur returns, a man at once utterly human and truly heroic: a man of honor, loyalty, and amazing valor; a man who loves Guinevere more passionately than he should; a man whose life is at once tragic and triumphant. As Arthur fights to keep a flicker of civilization alive in a barbaric world, Bernard Cornwell makes a familiar tale into a legend all over again.… (more)

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