Synopsis (from book cover):

Sarum is the towering story of five families through 100 centuries of turmoil, tyranny, passion and properity.  In a novel of extraordinary richness the whole sweep of British civilisation unfolds through the story of one place, Salisbury, from beyond recorded time to the present day.  The landscaped – as old as time itself – shapes the destinies of five families.  The Wilsons and the Shockleys, locked in a cycle of revenge and rivalry for more than 400 years.  The Masons, who pour their inspired love of stone into the creation of Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral.  The Porters, descended from a young Roman Soldier in exile.  And the aristocratic Norman Godefrois, who will fall to the very bottom of the social ladder before their fortunes revive.

Book Review:

This is an epic saga that takes the reader from the dawn of civilisation as the iceage retreats right through to more recent times. The history is well researched and the story unfolds to reveal how Salisbury started, grew and developed over the years.

The characters within the story tell us of the unfolding social history of the different eras.  I was sad to leave some of the characters behind when the book moved forward to the next era.  I enjoyed reading about the building of Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral.  The book inevitably covered more unpleasant topics such as the effects of the recurring plague.

The book is well worth a read, but it will take a bit of time to get through its 1344 pages.

6 Comments CherryPie on Jan 16th 2014

6 Responses to “Sarum by Edward Rutherford”

  1. ubermouth says:

    I began reading this book years ago when I was in England. Your review makes me wish I’ stuck with it. I must pick up another copy. Thank you,Cherie.

  2. Barbara says:

    This looks like a good read so another to add to the list but so much more to get through first.

  3. Stonehenge was built by Aliens!
    Did the book mention that? ;)