1356

A Novel

By: Bernard Cornwell

Narrated by: Jack Hawkins

Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Bernard Cornwell, the "master of martial fiction" (Booklist), brings Thomas of Hookton from the popular Grail Quest series into a new adventure in 1356, a thrilling stand-alone novel. On September 19, 1356, a heavily outnumbered English army faced off against the French in the historic Battle of Poitiers.

In 1356, Cornwell resurrects this dramatic and bloody struggle - one that would turn out to be the most decisive and improbable victory of the Hundred Years' War, a clash where the underdog English not only the captured the strategic site of Poitiers, but the French King John II as well.

In the vein of Cornwell's best-selling Agincourt, 1356 is an action-packed story of danger and conquest, rich with military strategy and remarkable characters - both villainous and heroic - transporting readers to the front lines of war while painting a vivid picture of courage, treachery, and combat.

©2012 Bernard Cornwell (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Great Action Story

What made the experience of listening to 1356 the most enjoyable?

A very easy book to read. There is a lot action running thru out the story line.

What did you like best about this story?

Full of detail explaining how people lived in 1356..

great read!!!

best of the series. the author was a little weird at first to get used to because the other first three books had a gruff narrator, but this guy does perfect accents for every character

Excellent revisit of Thomas and the Gang

Back in the saddle with your favorite archer to tie up some loose arrows from the grail trilogy that crescendos into the epic, and historically accurate, telling of the battle of Poitier

Wonderfully Written

Yet another excellent historical novel by Cornwell, a stand-alone novel featuring characters from the Grail Quest series. I really enjoyed this book although the narration left a little to be desired when compared to Andrew Cullam who narrated the previous three books. Highly recommend for great historical fiction during the Hundred Years War between England and France.

The brutality of medieval warfare

The story was very good, but it took some time to get used to the narrator. I believe he improved as the story went on. 

A Classic Story Comes To Life

Any additional comments?

Overall, I loved this book. The narration was clear and distinct, and the story was well told. About my only dismay was when I realized that this actually the fourth book of the Grail Quest series, and then I was seriously annoyed to find that books 1-3 are only available as abridged versions.
I honestly don't know why publishers waste their time or effort with abridged versions, I personally won't waste time or money on abridged versions.
Maybe someday someone at Audible will realize that there is a HUGE market for unabridged books.

First class story; first class performance

Before I review the novel, let me write something about Jack Hawkins. I don't know how many people check the "sample" audio before they decide to purchase a book, but in this case don't be fooled by the short sample. It reflects nothing of the magnificent voices of Jack Hawkins. I know the term has been used many times, but he truly brings the Cornwell characters to life. I wish he had narrated all the author's books.
"1356" despite its blood and gore, is an incredible story with Thomas of Hookton, a leader of a group of mercenary archers, "the Hellequin" as its central character. This book culminates in the Battle of Poitiers, a rather unknown English victory is the 100 years war. But it is more than a tale of war; it is a tale of love between husband and wife (Thomas and Genevieve), a tale of hate between the Count of Labrouillade, a disgusting specimen of a man and his wife who sensibly runs off with another man, and it is a tale of a demonic priest, an ambitious cardinal and other corrupted and corruptible churchmen. It is also a quest story, this time for the sword that St Peter used to cut off the ear of an enemy. In fact, for those following Cornwell's quest novels, this is the fifth.
I highly recommend this book/

Great series, but this one got lose in the end.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The narrator did a superb job and really added an extra layer to the story.

Would you recommend 1356 to your friends? Why or why not?

Mr Cornwell is the master of historical fiction of this period in my opinion. It is well researched and has a fascinating story line.

What about Jack Hawkins’s performance did you like?

He has a voice that is very easy to listen to and you don't find yourself judging his voices of different characters.

If you could take any character from 1356 out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I don't know... given the types of people they are a night out that included a few drinks may end up in a deadly alehouse brawl.

Any additional comments?

It was a great story in a great series, But in the end it felt like the author was rushing to the conclusion. There were major characters that you were wondering about from the previous series that were explained away in a rather lackluster way and while the climatic battle was very exciting the "ride of into the sunset moment to end the series was lackluster. the last encounter with the main antagonist was very bland and major characters went away with just a few sentences that brusquely dismissed them. Perhapes there is more to come from Thomas of Hookton which would make my day, but the book reads like it is the finale and there is no mention of the fate of the heros after the end of the battle.

As good as Argincourt

Would you consider the audio edition of 1356 to be better than the print version?

Do not know

What does Jack Hawkins bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Additional definition to the characters.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No. It was very entertaining. The detail held my attention. It seemed to be well researched.

Any additional comments?

Splendid story. I enjoyed Argincourt a few years ago. It was not a series so finding this was a treat.

Cornwell at his best!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Bernard Cornwell is one of my top two or three authors, and the Grail series is my favorite. 1356 picks up several years after the grail has been destroyed by Thomas, but it still a wonderful story, with bloody battles, evil cardinals, old friends back together. A book I hated to see end!!! I hope there will be other books with Thomas in them.

What other book might you compare 1356 to and why?

Any in the Grail series...

Have you listened to any of Jack Hawkins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Great !!!