Edward Rutherford - London

Reviewed by showhost Sept 07
This is an epic story of the history of London, It was the most interesting way of learning about the events that helped build this great city.
The story starts in 54 BC and ends in 1997. It is a wonderful weave of fact & fiction following several families' history & their rise and fall. Beginning with the Roman invasion when Londenwic was no more than mounds by a river. I was fascinated by the multinational history of London (people who say 'keep Britain British' don't realise that for centuries it never was)and the deviousness and treachery which reshaped the British Monarchy. The stories behind names, phrases and words through the centuries and the connection and friction with other european countries/people; Danish, Italian, French, Flemish & Romans etc, who are all part of the family tree of London and its people.
You have to keep reminding yourself that it is a novel but it was written with such colour, a tapestry of buccaneering adventure, love,war and suspense, mixing factual events and names with fiction so well.
'From the devil they came and to the devil they will return' (said of the Plantaganets)
In the London riots of 1189 no jews or women were allowed at King Richards Coronation.
Chaucer - who was a justice of the peace - got some of the ideas for his 'Canterbury Tales' from the felons who came before him.
I really enjoyed this entertaining and absorbing historical book and anyone who likes reading about British history in a 'novel' way will enjoy this book