Sarum : The Novel of England

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Summary: Interminable
Review: This novel started out great and I could not put it down but as time went on it seemed to get less and less interesting and I am now reduced to forcing myself to finish it. It has gotten bogged down in minute historical data.

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Summary: worthwhile read
Review: The first half of the book was excellent, but began to peter out as it progressed. You sensed that the author was trying to finish the second half as credibly as he could and the narrative drive of the tales slow down.

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Summary: A magnificent saga of families through history
Review: This is a sweeping historical saga in the Michener vein, with clearly drawn characters and some of the most beautiful countryside in England. What makes it particularly interesting is that the story happens around and along side the great events of history, making the characters and the story all the more believable. It was a sensation when published, and rightly so. It is wonderful.

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Summary: Outstanding! Masterful combination of history and fiction.
Review: Just finished reading this for the second time. As a transplanted British/Scottish American I found it to be a book that grows more interesting with each reading. Fascinating English history and very beliveable stories of 5 realistically portrayed familes are traced over the years. The geographical descriptions of what may have made the British Isles what they are was a particularly intriguing lead-in to the story. I need/want a hardback copy of this book! Help!!

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Summary: Dull imitation Michener
Review: I just couldn't get into this book. Rutherford is trying to write a James Michener novel, but he isn't Michener. Not even close.

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Summary: Captivating and Enthralling
Review: This book was given to me in 1992 in the paperback version. I was able to get the book again in 1998 in larger print paperback but need it in Hard Cover version. I have read the book twice and find in so enthralling I want to be able to read it from time to time. Mr. Rutherford's history andd subtle planting of characters close to those we knew and learned about in our own history kept me turning pages until the end. I love his style. I also have Russka. I will read London soon but still want Sarum in hardcover. It will be my favorite of all time. Thank you. Judy Clesen

Rating:
Summary: Highly readable, ambitious, atmospheric.
Review: I was born and brought up not too far from Sarum, so I could relate to the author's descriptions and the atmosphere that he was trying to create. I think he captures the spiritual essence of the area. If anyone has been there they will know what a mystical and magical place it is. Yes. Rutherfurd takes liberties with genetics and historical facts, name a novelist who doesn't. If you want history, get a text book. If you want to feel the place, enjoy the characters, relive the passion and violence of times gone by and lose yourself for a while, read this book.

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Summary: Excellent Historical novel - in true Michener style
Review: For the fan of the historical novel, and I am one, this book SARUM presents an excellent summary of English history. This is my first Rutherford novel, although I have read many other historical novels by authors such as James Michener. SARUM is definitely in the class of the great Michener novels. Rutherford puts in detailed perspective the daily lives of people during periods ranging from the waxing of the Ice Age through medieval times. Particularly interesting is the development of family rivalries and of family names (such as Mason and Wilson).

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Summary: Tedious, Self-Indulgent and Historically Spurious
Review: When "Sarum" boasts to cover the entire pageant of English history, from the dawn of time to the modern era, it certainly makes good its boast. However, reading this book was an ordeal and I had to force myself to struggle through to the last pages. The book follows the progress of a series of boring, tremendously annoying families through the ages. The narrative is written in a highly tedious style, and the author cannot resist inserting a "little did they know....." into every few pages, whereby he reveals a "peek" at the future which his characters do not realise. It is this tendency which leads to my judgement that the book is self-indulgent. Any relation to real historical characters of any import is highly tenuous and brief. This book is far more suitable for students/enthusiasts of social history, rather than history proper, royal history or genealogy, for example. We witness the important events of each era at an extremely "down-home" and localised level. Another fault of the book is the fact that each era is covered by a single chapter: the author has time to do no more than outline the name and a very brief, insufficient character sketch of each generation, before we are moved on to the next chapter and set of characters. This means that we are presented with a series of outlines, and no real characters for whom we could feel any interest or sympathy. Even in the brief space he does devote to these characters, they are uninteresting, and are obviously only used to illustrate the way of life and a few key name-dropping events of the time. The book is not about any realistic, human, fleshed-out people: it is a vehicle. Any characters created are only used to briefly illustrate the age in which they lived. They are then discarded before we can feel anything for them. Unless you are a passionate enthusiast of social history with plenty of stamina, unfortunately I would have to suggest that you avoid this book like the plague. To me, it is like a modern equivalent of the medieval hairshirt, and I would only read it again as a form of penance.

Rating:
Summary: Worth the Effort and Time to Read
Review: What struck me most about this book is the author's premise of the strength of genetic traits. The Forest-Wilson family, decended from the original people of Sarum, retain physical attributes and character traits over an 8,000+ year period. They are portrayed as thieves and womanizers in various epochs of the tale. Likewise the Mason family retains their short stature and craftmanship ability. This is an interesting premise--but true? I know this is a work of historical-fiction in the latter half and pure speculation in the former, but it is entertaining. Thank goodness for the "family tree" at the front of the book. It was difficult for me to keep up with the families over the 1,000+ pages. From the aspect of writing style, I much preferred The Pillars of the Earth.