Book and Movie Club: Sarum and Other Books by Edward Rutherford

Today, we’re starting the Book and Movie Club section of 24/7 Family History Circle. If you have a book or movie you’d like to add, send it to [email protected] and we’ll post them with the title in the headline. I look forward to seeing your suggestions and comments as I’m looking for some good summer reading! Here’s our first book suggestion:

There are a number of books that can give some real insights into the lives of our ancestors.  The books that came immediately to mind are those written by Edward Rutherford.  The first and, I feel, the best was Sarum.  It follows family lines from pre-historic times through to WWII.  It gives great insight, not only into their daily lives, but also how some events (like plague) and beliefs (the ongoing struggle between various church factions) affected the ordinary person and how some physical characteristics and talents keep resurfacing generation after generation.  I do not feel the others were quite as good, but they are worth the effort to read.  One in particular was Russka..  After reading it, I had a much better appreciation of why Russia is the way that it is (including the rise there of their brand of Communism).  They may be works of fiction, but they make me glad that I did not have to live through some of those horrific times.

Tom Aman

3 thoughts on “Book and Movie Club: Sarum and Other Books by Edward Rutherford

  1. I read Sarum by Rutherford many years back and enjoyed it too particularly the building of the cathedral. I became very involved with some of the early families. As they died and other generations took their place, I must admit, my interest faded. Later I started his London, one of the places my research has been centered in, but somehow I never got as involved. Perhaps reality had taken over as more dramatic than fiction for me!

  2. Edward Rutherford’s other books are worth reading also – the same general format…I’ve read “London” and “The Forest” (area just east of Sarum). I saw a new book by Rutherford about Ireland on the shelf at the library today. And I think he wrote a book on Russia also, but I haven’t read it.

  3. I have just finished Rutherfurd’s newest book. I may not have the title exactly right, but I think it is “Rebels of Ireland.” I realized, after I started, that it was a sequel to “Princes of Ireland.” So I will go back and read the first book now. I, too, thoroughly enjoyed “Sarum”, and when I got to the cathedral part, I realized that I must have read it when it was published in the late 80’s (I think). I have a much better take on the history of Ireland and on this southern section of England. Research is so meticulous. It is like reading Michnor (sp?), except Rutherfurd’s characters are much better developed. In “Sarum” one of his fictional families began the surname Shockley, and I have that name in my ancestry–fun to me.
    This may not be a priority for some, but his books do not have language that is offensive or politically incorrect to this Christian. That is rare in new fiction.
    I will go on to “London” next, as soon as my arms get over being sore from holding up “Sarum”!

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