The Bastard by John Jakes (Kent Family Chronicles Book One)

 

Publication Date:

September 1, 1974

Genre: 

Historical Fiction

Length:  

528 pages

Series:

Kent Family Chronicles

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Meet Phillipe Charboneau: the illegitimate son and unrecognized heir of the Duke of Kentland. Upon the Duke's death, Phillipe is denied his birthright and left to build a life of his own. Seeking all that the New World promises, he leaves London for America, shedding his past and preparing for the future by changing his name to Philip Kent. He arrives at the brink of the American Revolution, which tests his allegiances in ways he never imagined. The first volume of John Jakes's wildly successful and highly addictive Kent Family Chronicles, The Bastard is a triumph of historical fiction.

My Thoughts:

I had forgotten how much I love John Jakes. And for most people their favorite series is his trilogy about the Civil War, North and South. I think the Kent Family Chronicles are far better and am wondering why on earth I have not finished them? I still have to read books 7 and 8. So they are definitely on my TBR list for this year. The Bastard I read years ago so this was a re-read for me but I'll admit I didn't read it super thoroughly the second time around. I am going back through them and reviewing them in preparation for the last two books. 

In this story we are introduced to Phillip Kent who has changed his very English name for a more American one. He is the patriarch of the subsequent stories and his family along with others will be followed throughout the series. Jakes does a great job of showing messy character flaws in his protagonists while also making you want to see them succeed. With Kent, we get to see the how and why of the American rebellion unfold and how it wasn't as easily had as we like to think today looking back in hindsight. 

There are multiple side stories, romance, battles....just about everyone will find something they like. It isn't just war focused but also focuses on the politics of how things came about. The emphasis on the family allows for drama as well, meaning you won't be bored if you are like me and don't want just military focused content. 

I loved knowing that it was just the beginning of thet story of America, the Kent family, and historical accuracy. With this series I know Jakes wanted to honor American history and teach people about it in an entertaining way. He does a great job and the reading is easy enough for younger people, although there are some racy parts so I'd say older teens are fine but not any younger for a target audience. 

If you want to dive into a family saga with many twists and turns and learn some wonderful history along the way you will love this first book in a long series story. Jakes takes you all the way to the end of the 19th century.