The Wake: With a New Foreword by Mark Rylance
Foreword Mark Rylance: The Wake is a historical novel set in the aftermath of the Norman invasion of 1066. It follows the Buccmaster of Holland, a Lincolnshire farmer who gathers a group of ‘grene men’ after losing his family, and is told in a modern-readable form of Old English described as a ‘shadow tongue’.
At a glance
- Set in England after the Norman invasion of 1066, with a focus on a dispossessed Lincolnshire farmer.
- Uses a ‘shadow tongue’ described as a form of Old English that modern readers can understand.
- This edition is listed with a new foreword by Mark Rylance.
Reference price: £10.99
Price checked: 12 Nov 2026
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Pros and cons
Pros
- Combines medieval historical fiction with folklore, religious belief and questions of homeland and identity.
- The publisher description presents the language as an accessible adaptation rather than untranslated Old English.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | John Murray |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 16 July 2026 |
| Edition | 1st |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 384 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1399836803 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1399836807 |
| Weight listed | 260 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.8 x 2.8 x 19.6 cm |
What to know before buying
- The listing describes the work as a novel and says this edition includes a new foreword by Mark Rylance. The stated 16 July 2026 publication date should be checked if timing matters.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers interested in medieval historical fiction and the period following the Norman invasion.
- Readers drawn to folklore, faith, identity and unconventional literary language.
Less suited to
- Readers looking for a straightforward contemporary setting or non-fiction account of the Norman invasion.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
40% 40% - 4 stars
25% 25% - 3 stars
14% 14% - 2 stars
6% 6% - 1 star
15% 15%
The supplied evidence includes aggregate ratings but no customer-comment summary, so specific reader opinions or reasons for ratings cannot be established. The distribution is mixed, with substantial five- and four-star shares alongside a notable one-star share. Treat this as an indication of varied reactions, not a guide to any particular aspect of the novel.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Wake about?
Set after the Norman invasion of 1066, the novel follows the Buccmaster of Holland, a farmer in Lincolnshire who gathers a band of ‘grene men’ after losing his wife and sons.
What does the listing mean by ‘shadow tongue’?
The description calls it a form of Old English that is understandable to modern readers.
Does this edition have a foreword by Mark Rylance?
The title and description state that this edition has a new foreword by Mark Rylance.
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