The Heart of the Conqueror

The Chronicles of Matilda, Lady of Flanders, Book 1

By: G. Lawrence

Narrated by: Marnye Young

Length: 18 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

October 14, 1066. Two armies converge to decide the fate of England....

The most famous date in English history, when the might of the English Saxons faced the wrath of the Norman invasion. The man who stormed the sands of Sussex was William, bastard duke of Normany, the man they eventually came to call the Conqueror....

But the heart of the conqueror was Matilda, lady of Flanders and duchess of Normandy. At the side of the most famous warlord of history, Matilda worked, not as a quiet, modest wife, but as a leader...as a ruler just as ruthless as her husband. Under her soft mask of beauty and modesty there lay the heart of a woman powered by ambition. A woman who was strong, courageous, and devious....

Through the eyes of one of the most extraordinary women of history unfold the events leading to the invasion of England and the battle that would decide its fate....

This is the story of Matilda, lady of Flanders, duchess of Normandy, and queen of England.

Contains mature themes.

©2017 Gemma Lawrence (P)2018 Tantor

a nice beginner level historical fiction

if I remember correctly this is the author's first novel, or first historical fiction. This book was okay.. the storyline kept me interested, the narration could have been better but it suited the protagonist. another reviewer had the good idea to speed up the listening time and that actually worked well for this one.

Loved the Alternative Point of View

Who ever thinks about the family that surrounded Wm. the Conqueror? This author was able to get into a possible frame of mind of Wm., but more importantly, into the reasoning of his wife, Matilda. Believable characters complete with both strengths and their weaknesses.

Good read!

Really enjoyed this book. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Narrator was excellent.

interesting perspective

Enjoyable read. Too much detailed sex.
Though we do not know if Ms. Lawrence's imaginings of Matilda's personality are true, certain facts that are available substantiate much of her drawing of the character.

listen at 1.25 speed

The story is great, the book needed some serious editing. It is soooooo exhaustingly repetitive and the person reading the book overprounces everything. I found that listening at 1.25 speed helped a lot. If you can get through some of the annoying parts, the story is not bad, but I was rolling my eyes a lot when the sex scenes kept coming.

I liked it a lot but…

I really liked almost everything about this book. The parts I did not like were the passionate sex scenes. If I wanted that I would have read a romance novel instead of an historical one. I realize this is historical fiction but I don’t recall intimate sex scenes in any other historical fiction I have read and I have read a lot. I felt uncomfortable with an author making up sex about real people. I came to understand the reason for it more in the authors notes but still it was a put off to me. But there was much good in the book, too! I realized that although I know a lot about William I knew next to nothing about his wife. I have loved reading about all the women during the Wars of the Roses and the Tudors,etc. I’m so glad this author felt her own passion about Matilda. It was as much the heart of Matilda and Matilda being the heart of William that conquered England!

Little known history

Factionalized history is my favorite genre. As I was listening to this I was looking up the history of Matilda and I would say that the author did her research. She presented it in an enjoyable manner and I never got bored. I learned a lot. Not only from the subject manner but she also inspired me to learn more about Matilda. The reader was outstanding and I hope I can listen to other books she has narrated.

I may have found a new favorite author

this was a fascinating look into the world of a powerful woman in a time where women wielded no power at all.
Matilda and her family came to life for me. I believe in her despite her flaws.
Thank you for creating this world and sharing your south your readers.
I'll be watching for everything you write.

Great Story, a Bit Graphic

Enjoyed the story but parts were a bit explicitly repetitive for me. After the 3rd love making event, I got it and did not need the details. I also found the female impersonation of William's battle cries to be annoying.

Exceptionally well written!

if you like historical fiction you will love this book. I do recommend increasing the Speed to 1.05, at least for me, I enjoyed the narrator better.