A Hollow Crown by Helen Hollick
Truly A Wonderful Work By A Very Talented Writer!
Aged only thirteen, Emma, daughter of the Duke of Normandy, is married
in a strategic alliance to King Aethelred of England. Inept and arrogant,
Aethelred is loathed by his young wife, whom he punishes for his many
failings as a ruler. Their first son, Edward, is born through an act of
violence that is little more than rape. England is invaded by the Viking King
Swein Forkbeard and his son Cnut. After a bitter struggle, Aethelred loses
his kingdom and his wife. Emma, now dowager queen, holds London
against the invader Cnut. When he demands she surrender or suffer the
consequences, Emma stakes everything on a dangerous gamble, but
troubles and tragedy still await the indomitable queen as she struggles for
power and for survival...
Personal Review: A Hollow Crown by Helen Hollick
Helen Hollick just continues to amaze me! I'm truly very glad that I
discovered this so very talented and exceptional writer and lady! Again, I
have to "steal" words written by Helen's fellow author and friend, Sharon
Kay Penman: "Compelling, Convincing, and Unforgettable"! I can't say it
any better! Helen has taken a long neglected time in English history and

turned it into a story that takes the reader's breath away and is impossible
to put down! Emma of Normandy was the wife of two kings (Aethelred II
"the Unready" and the Great Cnut, King of England and Denmark) and the
mother of two more (Harthacnut, son of Emma and Cnut and Edward "the
Confessor", son of Emma and Aethelred). In so many ways, Helen
Hollick's description of Emma, a very strong woman, reminds me of
Eleanor of Acquitaine. Emma was indeed ahead of her time in that
respect. Suffering for years through a forced bad marriage to a very poor
king (Aethelred), Emma persevered. Upon Aethelred's death, Emma
provided the leadership, along with support from Earl Godwine of Wessex
which kept England afloat until her marriage to Cnut. The story of Emma
and Cnut is a very compelling story of both love and at the same time
frequent clashes of wills since both people were very strong-willed,
stubborn, and outspoken. Yet they were, as described by Helen, a very
admirable couple who complimented each the other.
I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy Historical Fiction at its best
and at the same time wish to learn more about how life in England must
have been prior to the conquest. This is NOT a "fairy tale" type story-book
with damsels in distress and romantic descriptions of knights in shining
armor and chivalry. Helen Hollick's books paint very realistic portraits of
how life TRULY must have been in those times. Bloody battles, treachery,
murder, intrigue all are a part of human nature and especially kingship
during both the "dark" and "middle" ages. Helen, thank you! I'm so very
glad that I "discovered" your marvelous works!
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