Gripping historical novel brings Scots’ struggle to life

IF THERE’S one thing that Robyn Young has excelled at with Kingdom, it’s the attention to detail that many historical fiction writers could learn from.

If ever you wish to be dropped into the muck and mire – and the pure visceral experience of what life was like in years gone by, complete with sights, sounds, smells and all the attendant discomfort – Young achieves this in bucketloads.

In Kingdom, she ties together the final conflicts faced by Scotland’s King Robert Bruce as he struggles against the English King Edward and strives for a united, independent Scotland.

Edward’s hunt for Robert drives the Scottish king close to his end so many times, it’s almost impossible to believe that Robert’s tenacity resulted in his survival. That he was able to bounce back at all is a miracle. And the way this epic drama is brought to life is gripping.

That being said, I found it difficult to relate to any of the large cast of characters because Young was attempting to paint in such broad strokes.

Her aura of omniscience kept me from immersing myself in the story, or feeling any particular emotional investment.

People die, horribly and often in the most gruesome fashion, yet I could not bring myself to care. In her intent to capture the bigger picture, she has, unfortunately, sacrificed engagement with the narrative arc.

That being said, this is still a thrilling read with some interesting assessments that will, no doubt, give history buffs much to consider.

Those who’re not au fait with the history of the British Isles and who haven’t read the preceding two books may, however, find all the name-dropping and references to past events bewildering, though savvy readers will jump right in and be swept away by the turmoil. – Nerine Dorman