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

Awesome!

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the book. Great voice reading it, and the book itself was great. It was well written, and well performed. The only negative is that the audio book didn't include the historical notes at the end. That is a must in a historical fiction book. Other than that I loved it.

Great Sequel to the Grail Quest Trikogy

I originally listened to this book as a stand-alone novel. I re-listened after finishing the Grail Quest trilogy. It was much better in context with the other three.

This narrator was not nearly as good as the narrator for the original trilogy. It would have been nice to keep the original narrator with this sequel.

excellent all around

I love all of Bernard Cornwell's work, period. this was my first audio book experience and Jack Hawkins is a man of a thousand voices.I never had trouble figuring out who was speaking, even if starting listening after an interruption. Excellent experience. Will be getting more books of two combined, if available.

Excellent story and narration. Meh production.

Great story by by the author. Good narrator but the editing is confusing sometimes. Pauses would nice in places.

Outstanding read.

Once again, Cornwell exhibits his mastery of combat imagery. I enjoy the period history while also being entertained. Thomas Hookton and the mark of the English archer on the face of Western Civilization on fantastic display.

Thomas Hooton.

Great story and series. I enjoy historical novel that put history to life. Enjoy the reading.

Fantastic finale to a tremendous series

I’ve learned so much about the beginning years of the Hundred Years’ War, as well as the political climate, especially the Roman Catholic Church. I’m envious of anyone who is just embarking on the adventures of Sir Thomas of Hookton and his archers. Thank you, Bernard Cornwell—I think you should be knighted as well!🏹

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.