PeterX wrote:
Is the author Bernard Cornwell? And are we talking about Vikings?
No, and no. It is set much earlier than that. When I said 'English-language historical novel', I meant the language it was written in (well, officially it was written in Attic, with some glosses in Latin, but that's the literary agency part again), not the location of the events (though a small part of the second book is in southern England near the channel coast). Most of it takes place well to the south of there, though still in Europe, with some events taking place in Gaul, Judea, Greece, Rhodes, Capri, and a crude prison hut on a tiny little island near Naples.
(Seriously, just the mention of Capri is a huge, huge hint. With a pair of Little Boots next to him, readying that pillow. Humanity does need its sense of smell after all, I guess.)
I should mention that the teleplay based on the two books - a true Theatrical Masterpiece - was very, very English. And very
BRIAN BLESSED! at times, as well, with what may be the closest to a calm and sedate performance he's ever given.