Elfking
(Susan Price)
The Elfking is a contemporary novel by Susan Price set in England during the period of Christianization. It pits Unwin against his half brother Elfgift for the Saxon throne. But it is not just a struggle between two men but rather a conflict between Christianity and Paganism that is portrayed throughout the novel.
It would be hard to classify one as antagonist and the other as the protagonist because the lines are vaguely drawn. One will feel sorry for Unwin who loses the kingdom, his family and has to go into exile because of Elfgift. But how exactly he was deposed is not described except that his mother was Christian.
Elfgift is a truly enigmatic character who charms the people like magic. People think he has special powers. But the fact that he was brought up as a farm hand points to the fact that he was born out of wedlock.
With help from the Christian Welsh king and the Danes, Unwin goes to war against Elfgift. And here we begin to see the dark side of his character. He agrees to a Christmas truce and becomes the guest of Elfgift. But he is in for a shock when he sees his wife and brother(Wulf) siding with his enemy.
There are some touching scenes in the book like how Unwin?s little son comes to his aid in battle, and how Elfgift and his half brother Wulf fight side by side sourounded by enemies.
In the end one brother dies but there is more than enough energy left in the story for another book. The author is definitely trying to give new dimensions to the pagan religions of ancient Europe. It could even be said she is sympathizing with them while showing the Christianization in bad light.
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