The Edge of Light Author:Joan Wolf Following Born of the Sun and The Road to Avalon, this final novel in Wolf's moving Arthurian trilogy is full of exquisitely drawn characters set in the magical realm of Camelot. "Wolf's descriptions of a long-ago, mostly rural England are colorful, her portrait of what life was like in those days convincing".--Washington Post. — From Publishers ... more »Weekly
At the outset of this powerfully wrought historical romance set in ninth-century Britain, Wolf lists her Anglo-Saxon characters, at least half of whose names begin with "Ethel." It's an aid readers will often turn to as the action-packed plot develops. Alfred, dubbed by history "the Great," succeeds to the kingdom of Wessex on the death of his beloved brother, Ethelred. He is aided in his struggle against the invading pagan Danes by his haughty young wife, Elswyth, of the kingdom of Mercia. As warrior-king, Alfred establishes a governmental system; as Latinist, he translates the poetry and classics that become the foundation of English literature; as a Christian he puts into practice the principles to which he was devoted. Around Alfred's magnificent defense of the English nation, Wolf ( Born of the Sun ) weaves convincing subplots of passionate love and betrayal that embellish the bare bones of history.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
In ninth century England King Alfred of Wessex gathered an army which permanently halted a Viking invasion that had devastated the country. For this, as well as his devotion to literature, he is known as Alfred the Great. This novel tells his story from childhood, through marriage to his beloved Elswyth, battles with the murderous Northmen, and finally his defeat of them in 878.« less