You can download 'Hell comes on the Wind' for free.
Go to 'Internet Archive.com' and type in the title.
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Reviewer: harrybbbbb - - February 2, 2008
Subject: Wow, this is good, very good!!
I don't read historial fiction often, but on this occasion, a friend mentioned that I ought download and read this title.
The story: a trilogy, really, is a gripping tale of two brothers who meet and work for Duke William of Normandy, and end up working for King Harold. Though the story is an historical novel, it is really an adventure story set in early medieval times. I found the brothers to be believable characters, with a hint of goody, goody about them; well, heroes are supposed to be, aren't they? The Duke is portrayed as somewhat maniacal, but he has a real and believable personality, which is refreshing.
As for Earl (later King) Harold, he is a kindly fellow; brave, truthful and yet has a mellowness about him that I'm not sure is fitting for the character. Nonetheless, he, too, is a believable, with a sense of humour that is dry and witty.
The Domfront brothers, Alan and Philippe, are intelligent and brave, yet have a gentleness about them; no doubt brought on by their love of their children who they have to leave back in their native France, when they go to work for the Normans. I liked their literacy; that was a nice touch. I also admired the way the writer brought the brothers to England and how they interacted later on in the story with others they encountered on their adventure. Throughout the book, the brothers faired well, often overcoming the dreads and dangers that would see most of us in an asylum.
As For Harold Godwinson... He is smart, very smart. The sort of man to be trusted, yet with an underlying guile that could, in modern times, mark him as bi-polar. Clever and astute, a real pragmatist, yet when pushed, a hard man indeed, not one for being pushed into a corner without a fight. Yet he has a love of his paramour, Edith Swanneck, who he often falls foul of, and gives Harold a hard time. I loved the kitchen-sink drama that befalls them when they are confronted with the conflict of love verses life's realities.
As for Duke William (the bastard), he is hard, resolved and unyielding (as is Harold). The Duke has little or no respect for life or person, and frequently demonstrates his callous behaviour throughout, except at one point when a young boy is raped by one of his sergeants. The boy is cared for and the boy's attacker punished personally by William.
I thought that the build up to the final outcome was tremendous, but the ending less dramatic. This is not to say that the story fizzles out; on the contrary, it is go, go, go, all the way. Not that the end of the story is toned down somewhat.
Having given this some thought, I feel that Mr. Bradbury has done the right thing, for the end is sweet and poignant.
On the whole, I give the work full five points.
Why? Because the novel is ingenious, witty, sad, yet full of fun, and, in parts, hilarious.
It was a joy to read.
Thank you, Antony Bradbury.
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Reviewer: meglovesmusic - - October 28, 2007
Subject: THIS STORY IS SO GOOD, WOW!!!
Hi, this is Jill. I was asked, by a work colleague to download and read this story. I'm a very critical person, and my job is as an editor here, in New York, for a news magazine.
Having just completed a tiring weeks work, I settled down to read the hard copy that my secretary printed out.
What did I find? From the first to the last chapter, the story took my breath away! I began to wonder... Why was this writer not published?
This is an amazing tale of two brothers and their interaction with a duke and a king.
At first sight, this might seem rather odd; to have common folk mingling with distinguished protagonist such as King Harold of England and Duke William of Normandy. The story of Alan and Philippe Domfront is extraordinary. Why? Not only is the story exciting and fast, but so plausible, too. I could not put this work down, and I had to take the work to my boss and show him; get him to read this well formulated and extremely well written piece of work.
Who is this person? I cannot find out who is or where he lives. All I have is a name...
Mr. Bradbury - Please, wherever you are, contact me at once; you need to be in print. This novel is a work of outstanding quality and finesse.
Yours Faithfully
Jillian Spurge