Kingdom Come

Kingdom Come follows Douglas Tallentire, a writer and television producer navigating significant life changes across Cumbria, London, and New York in the 1970s. As the grandson and son of characters from earlier books in Bragg's Cumbrian Trilogy, Douglas represents a new generation dealing with evolving social and professional landscapes. The narrative spans multiple locations as Douglas moves between his rural hometown of Thurston in Cumbria and the urban centers of London and New York. His journey encompasses both physical distances and the cultural divide between his working-class roots and his current life in media and entertainment. Through Douglas's experiences, the novel explores themes of social mobility, cultural identity, and the price of ambition in 1970s Britain and America. The story examines how family heritage and class background continue to shape individual lives even after achieving professional success.

Readers note the book's focus on religious conflict and social upheaval in 17th century England during the English Civil War. Many connect with the central character John Askew and his crisis of faith. Readers appreciated: - Historical detail and period atmosphere - Complex theological debates made accessible - Strong sense of place in Cumberland setting - Character development across the story arc Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in middle sections - Dense religious discussions can be hard to follow - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Period dialect challenging for some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (412 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.2/5 (89 ratings) Reader comments: "The religious debates felt authentic to the period but bogged down the narrative" - Goodreads reviewer "Bragg captures the raw intensity of faith and doubt" - Amazon UK reviewer "Too much theological discussion, not enough plot movement" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🔷 Melvyn Bragg was not only an acclaimed author but also a prominent broadcaster, hosting the long-running arts program "The South Bank Show" on British television for over 30 years. 🔷 The Cumbrian Trilogy, published between 1969 and 1980, draws heavily from Bragg's own experiences growing up in the working-class town of Wigton, Cumbria. 🔷 The post-war period depicted in "Kingdom Come" saw one of the largest social mobility shifts in British history, with the 1944 Education Act enabling many working-class children to attend university for the first time. 🔷 The novel's themes of rural-urban migration reflected a major demographic trend in 1970s Britain, when many young people left their traditional communities for opportunities in cities. 🔷 The character of Douglas Tallentire was partly inspired by Bragg's own journey from a working-class background to becoming a successful media figure in London.