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The Song of Heledd:: the hall of Cynddylan Kindle Edition

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 146 ratings

In seventh century Powys at the hall of King Cynddylan of Pengwern, the princesses, Heledd and Ffreur attend a celebratory feast where fifteen-year-old Heledd develops an infatuation for a travelling minstrel. The illicit liaison triggers a chain of events that will destroy two kingdoms and bring down a dynasty. Set against the backdrop of the pagan-Christian conflict between kings Penda and Oswiu The Song of Heledd sweeps the reader from the ancient kingdom of Pengwern to the lofty summits of Gwynedd where Heledd battles to control both her own destiny and that of those around her. Judith Arnopp has taken the fragmented ninth century poems, Canu Llywarch Hen and Canu Heledd, and the history surrounding them to produce a fiction of what might have been.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007HZZ1HI
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 6, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 956 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 219 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 146 ratings

About the author

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Judith Arnopp
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Judith Arnopp's novels are set during the War of the Roses and the Tudor era. They focus on women like Margaret Beaufort, Anne Neville, Elizabeth of York, Anne Boleyn, and Mary Tudor.

She has a Master's degree in medieval studies and a BA in English and creative writing from the University of Wales, making Historical Fiction the only obvious career choice.

She lives on the coast of West Wales with her husband, John, and now her family have flown the nest she writes full time from her home overlooking Cardigan Bay.

Her early books were set in the Anglo Saxon period but since switching to the Tudor era her career has flourished and she now has a substantial collection of titles in her catalogue. All books are available on Kindle and in paperback, some are on Audible.

Judith also writes non-fiction, her most recent published by Pen and Sword is a study of Tudor clothing and fashion, How to Dress Like a Tudor. Her work features in several anthologies and magazines.

You can find more information on judithmarnopp and follow her blog on juditharnoppnovelist blogspot and most social media

platforms.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
146 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging and poignant. They describe it as an enjoyable, well-written read with good descriptions that allow them to visualize the world. Readers appreciate the author's writing style and language, describing the book as one of the best stories they have ever read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

12 customers mention "Story quality"10 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the story. They find it a lovely interpretation of events that could have inspired the story. The background is perfectly matched to the story, and readers love the story of Heledd and her family. It's a good historical fiction novel that tells a joyous, sad, and even infuriating tale. The author gives life to poetry fragments and captures the essence of Wales.

"...Background perfectly matched to story." Read more

"...The story is a lovely interpretation of the events that could have inspired the story, but it's quite tragic...." Read more

"...A cautionary, yet excellent tale" Read more

"...Ms. Arnopp has given life to those poetry fragments and tells a joyous, sad, and even infuriating story which was, for me, impossible to put down." Read more

9 customers mention "Readability"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and engaging. They say it's one of the best stories they have read.

"What a great book. I don't want to give away spoilers so suffice to say that I was instantly drawn in and shocked at how it ended...." Read more

"...Just as my fellow readers said...this is one of the best stories I have ever read!..." Read more

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The very good descriptions enabled me to use my imagination to visualize the settings. Would recommend" Read more

"I loved every minute of this story...." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing style"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style. They find the language easy to read and the story engaging. The descriptions allow readers to visualize the world, and the action flows smoothly with enough detail to build a world. Overall, customers find the book well-written and enjoyable.

"...The action moved quickly and provide enough detail that I could build the world in my head but not so much that it did the imagining for me...." Read more

"Very well written and researched. Reminiscent of Thomas Hardy in the sense of inevitabilty of the fates. Background perfectly matched to story." Read more

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The very good descriptions enabled me to use my imagination to visualize the settings. Would recommend" Read more

"...I love the story of Heledd and her family. Judith Arnopp has a writing style that totally captivates me and I can't wait to get my hands on..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2016
    What a great book. I don't want to give away spoilers so suffice to say that I was instantly drawn in and shocked at how it ended. This book kept me up till 3am a few nights in a row, and after I finished it, I couldn't stop thinking about it for days. I keep trying to rewrite it in my mind "if only she'd done this or that..." The story really got under my skin in a good way and, even now, my heart aches to think of it! Again, if only she'd done THIS or THAT! Way to spin a tale, Judith Arnopp. Kudos.

    In terms of writing, I appreciated the author's style. The action moved quickly and provide enough detail that I could build the world in my head but not so much that it did the imagining for me. There was very little back story yet I was able to bond with the main character quickly nonetheless.

    I honesty thought this would be a light read, and while technically the author's language is nice and accessible, the story she wove was anything but light. This book will stay with me for a long time to come and I can't wait to read more from this author.

    I found your book randomly, and now I'm a big fan.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2013
    Very well written and researched. Reminiscent of Thomas Hardy in the sense of inevitabilty of the fates. Background perfectly matched to story.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2014
    I'm a bit torn about this book. I enjoyed it, but not because it's a good historical fiction novel. The book is based on an old Welsh poem surrounding the fall of the House of Powys in the seventh century, but there is essentially no historical evidence that Heledd actually wrote the poem nor is there any information about the lady herself. The story is a lovely interpretation of the events that could have inspired the story, but it's quite tragic. If you're after a good (albeit rather depressing) read, then I would recommend this one. If you're wanting a full-on historical fiction novel, then this one is probably not for you.
    8 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2014
    I always go to the previews of my fellow historical fiction lovers when I am unfamiliar with a royal personage or an author to see what they think about a book. My fellow readers are always right in their reviews.
    Just as my fellow readers said...this is one of the best stories I have ever read! The book was over 3 hours long, but I literally couldn't put it down! I read it until the end. Even the ending was amazing!

    I had to keep reminding myself that this is historical fiction because every incident seemed so plausible.

    Please don't miss this one! Judith Arnopp deserves a resounding 5-stars! Christine Schulz
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2021
    The heroine makes choices that have a lasting and permanent affect on herself and her family. A cautionary, yet excellent tale
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2013
    I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The very good descriptions enabled me to use my imagination to visualize the settings. Would recommend
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2013
    I loved every minute of this story. Based on a collection of 9th century Welsh poetry entitled Canu Heledd, it includes several of the existing fragments of the poems. The story is about missed connections. About a love that couldn't -- shouldn't -- be, and about a love that finally was, and was lost, along with everything she knew. Ms. Arnopp has given life to those poetry fragments and tells a joyous, sad, and even infuriating story which was, for me, impossible to put down.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2018
    Based on a Welsh ballad, the story relates the tragic tale of a woman whose lust led not only her downfall, but that of her entire people. I am sure there must be a redeeming quality to the retelling of this story, but unfortunately, I didn't discover it.

Top reviews from other countries

  • snailythebookmollusc
    3.0 out of 5 stars It might have prevented all her whining about problems she created by her own bad behaviour, and saved the rest of us having ...
    Reviewed in Australia on November 17, 2016
    Half way through this book I concluded that someone should have given the heroine a sharp slap early on. It might have prevented all her whining about problems she created by her own bad behaviour, and saved the rest of us having to read about it! Not my favourite heroine I'm afraid.
  • Theresa Tomlinson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A sad, but beautiful lament
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 25, 2013
    I was so pleased to discover another novel set in the time period that I'm fascinated by - AD 600's and was at once gripped - hearing the names of background characters that I've written about - Oswy, Penda, but here I was seeing them from a completely different perspective. The background detail is excellent and I'm sure that a great deal of research must have gone into the project. I found the main character of Heledd, the peace-weaver princess, to be compelling, very human, flawed, but always courageous. The writing is lyrical, I almost felt as though the story was being sung to me - which is quite correct, as the novel was inspired by an ancient lament. From start to finish there's a powerful atmosphere of gathering doom, though it did not at any point make me want to stop reading - and there are interludes of sheer joy. I look forward to more of Judith Arnopp's work.
  • C. Peace
    4.0 out of 5 stars This novel is a rare gem
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 23, 2012
    I bought this novel because I read and enjoyed the author's first two books, Peaceweaver and The Forest Dwellers. I certainly wasn't disappointed by The Song of Heledd. Once again, I found myself instantly drawn back in time to a world of warring princes and strategic marriages. Judith Arnopp effortlessly recreates the sights and sounds of seventh century Wales, and her characters are fully rounded and entirely credible.
    The story follows Heledd, eldest sister of King Cynddylan of Powys. Heledd has known from an early age that she will be offered in marriage by her brother to cement an alliance with whomever he thinks will support him in his struggle to maintain his power. What she doesn't reckon on is losing her heart - and more - to a musician; one of her brother's servants. This love affair looks set to wreck any chance of happiness Heledd might have had, and it has far-reaching and tragic consequences for Heledd, her family, and her homeland.
    This novel is a rare gem and I would recommend it to anyone who likes historical drama or romance.
  • Beady
    3.0 out of 5 stars Why?
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2015
    Although there were parts of the story I enjoyed somehow the central character did not quite jell for me. In many ways I found it superficial yet there was the basis if a good story which deserved to be dealt with in greater depth.
  • Joyapril
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Song of Heledd
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 8, 2014
    I have only recently started reading books by Judith Arnop and have found them to be very enjoyable and exciting.I can imagine life as she describes it and at times I am reluctant to put the book down and find myself reading when I should be doing other things. i will reccomend the books to my friends

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