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berenikeasteria's review against another edition
5.0
“Vercingetorix went to Rome in chains and so will you.”
This was a very nostalgic re-read for me, as I first read this book as a child, and it was the book in fact that introduced me to the author, Pauline Gedge. Gedge more frequently writes in ancient Egypt, but her one foray into Romano-Celtic Britain is utterly enrapturing.
The book is marketed as a tale of Boudicca, but it really isn’t. Boudicca’s story comes into its own towards the end, but for much of the book it is a slow-burning second strand to the struggles of Catuvellaunian chieftain Caradoc. Caradoc is much lesser known than Boudicca, but he did exist – recorded by the Romans as ‘Caratacus’ – and his life is, if anything, far more extraordinary than hers. His is truly an astounding story, and Pauline Gedge fully captures its amazing strength, terrible tragedies, and shocking twists.
Aside from Caradoc’s stunning journey, the second thing that always stayed with me over the years about this book was Gedge’s ability to transport the reader into the world. She has an incredible linguistic vocabulary, and perfectly balances clarity of phrase, for the reader’s sake, with fresh, innovative imagery in her descriptions. Whenever I read any of her books, and this isn’t confined to The Eagle and the Raven, I marvel at the unexpected yet incredibly evocative metaphors and similes that are almost lyrical in quality. I never get bored with Gedge’s writing; it has beautiful vision and flow, and I always look forward to reading it as a real treat. It’s a rare but welcome pleasure when the majority of books I read are simply competent, or worse, pedestrian and functional in their prose.
Gedge’s understanding of the time and place she writes about is another key factor in her success. She is one those authors who undertakes impeccable historical research, and though sources for life in Britain pre-Romans are scant and often from hostile commentators, the picture she paints rings true. I have read a lot of historical novels over the years, and for me there is nothing more frustrating than when characters spout 21st century values, or when it is clear that an author doesn’t understand a particular institution, custom, or mode of thought. To me it glares out of the pages like a sore thumb. The real trick in being a top drawer historical fiction author is in creating an authentic portrait of an era’s life and times, whilst successfully evoking the reader’s empathy. They say the past is a foreign country, and I know a lot of people who think history is boring, or only want to read a novel if the characters espouse modern mindsets, and don’t see anything wrong with fudging this particular aspect of a novel. But as someone who is passionate about history and loves getting to know historical people as they really were, I adore that journey – that initial culture clash whenever I first broach a subject, the slow unravelling of alien thought processes, and the eureka moment where I get their jokes and share in their tears and joys, and see the common humanity that is so timeless. Gedge’s characters are completely grounded in their own time. They do things in this book that we might consider strange, contradictory, even outright repulsive. And yet still, I find myself burning with support for them, their universal struggles that are so poignant and stark.
Gedge doesn’t deal in heroes and villains; it just doesn’t seem to be in her repertoire. Every single character is a complex human being with complex, conflicting, and ambiguous motivations, and it is so true to life. I cared about this story when I read it as a child, and now re-reading as an adult, because the people within behave like actual people, not flat stereotypes. There is no ‘good side’ or ‘bad side’, and far too many authors do succumb to the temptation of designating entire groups with these simplistic labels. It’s a temptation that I am glad Gedge resists.
Altogether, her skills combine to create a wondrous dream. I had a conversation with my friend Crystal, who is buddy reading this one with me, where we were attempting to describe the subtle, magical sense of mystery that permeates this book as if woven through the pages, and at last I concluded this: Imagine you are walking alone, deep in the forest, when you suddenly come across a secluded glade. The sun streams into the clearing in shafts of golden light, and out of the corner of your eyes you could swear the dust motes sparkle and dance. A cool stream runs through the grove with a musical melody, and the plants shimmer and tinkle like silver bells as the wind rustles their leaves. In that moment, you could almost believe that a kind of ancient magic resides in this place, as a sensation of awed wonder settles over you. That is what The Eagle and the Raven feels like to me when I am reading it. That is the sum total of Gedge’s skills working in concert. Every element fits seamlessly into place to create a picture in my mind’s eye that sweeps me away, for a few hours, to a completely different time and place, and forget about when and where I really am.
Now that’s a great historical novel.
10 out of 10
"Had my high birth and rank been accompanied by moderation in the hour of success I should have entered this city as a friend and not as a prisoner. You would not have hesitated to accept as an ally a man of splendid ancestry, bearing rule over many tribes. My present position is degrading to me, but glorious to you. I had horses, warriors, and gold. If I was unwilling to lose them, what wonder in that?... Does it follow that because you desire universal empire, all must accept slavery? Were I now dragged here as one surrendered without fighting, no fame would have attached to my fall, or to your victory. If you punish me they will both be forgotten… Spare me, then, as an example of your mercy!"
This was a very nostalgic re-read for me, as I first read this book as a child, and it was the book in fact that introduced me to the author, Pauline Gedge. Gedge more frequently writes in ancient Egypt, but her one foray into Romano-Celtic Britain is utterly enrapturing.
The book is marketed as a tale of Boudicca, but it really isn’t. Boudicca’s story comes into its own towards the end, but for much of the book it is a slow-burning second strand to the struggles of Catuvellaunian chieftain Caradoc. Caradoc is much lesser known than Boudicca, but he did exist – recorded by the Romans as ‘Caratacus’ – and his life is, if anything, far more extraordinary than hers.
Spoiler
Raising the first rebellion against the Roman invaders, I might well call him the Vercingetorix of Britain, uniting disparate warring tribes under his military leadership to resist the might of Rome. Like Vercingetorix, Caratacus was eventually defeated and taken to Rome in chains, paraded in the emperor’s triumph. But what happened next was exceptional. Instead of being executed for the entertainment of the crowd, Caratacus made an eloquent speech to Emperor Claudius and the Senate, and was granted mercy. As far as we know he lived out his life in Italy, a comfortable if reluctant guest, witness to the eventual collapse of British resistance back home under the leadership of Venutius and Boudicca.Aside from Caradoc’s stunning journey, the second thing that always stayed with me over the years about this book was Gedge’s ability to transport the reader into the world. She has an incredible linguistic vocabulary, and perfectly balances clarity of phrase, for the reader’s sake, with fresh, innovative imagery in her descriptions. Whenever I read any of her books, and this isn’t confined to The Eagle and the Raven, I marvel at the unexpected yet incredibly evocative metaphors and similes that are almost lyrical in quality. I never get bored with Gedge’s writing; it has beautiful vision and flow, and I always look forward to reading it as a real treat. It’s a rare but welcome pleasure when the majority of books I read are simply competent, or worse, pedestrian and functional in their prose.
Gedge’s understanding of the time and place she writes about is another key factor in her success. She is one those authors who undertakes impeccable historical research, and though sources for life in Britain pre-Romans are scant and often from hostile commentators, the picture she paints rings true. I have read a lot of historical novels over the years, and for me there is nothing more frustrating than when characters spout 21st century values, or when it is clear that an author doesn’t understand a particular institution, custom, or mode of thought. To me it glares out of the pages like a sore thumb. The real trick in being a top drawer historical fiction author is in creating an authentic portrait of an era’s life and times, whilst successfully evoking the reader’s empathy. They say the past is a foreign country, and I know a lot of people who think history is boring, or only want to read a novel if the characters espouse modern mindsets, and don’t see anything wrong with fudging this particular aspect of a novel. But as someone who is passionate about history and loves getting to know historical people as they really were, I adore that journey – that initial culture clash whenever I first broach a subject, the slow unravelling of alien thought processes, and the eureka moment where I get their jokes and share in their tears and joys, and see the common humanity that is so timeless. Gedge’s characters are completely grounded in their own time. They do things in this book that we might consider strange, contradictory, even outright repulsive. And yet still, I find myself burning with support for them, their universal struggles that are so poignant and stark.
Gedge doesn’t deal in heroes and villains; it just doesn’t seem to be in her repertoire. Every single character is a complex human being with complex, conflicting, and ambiguous motivations, and it is so true to life. I cared about this story when I read it as a child, and now re-reading as an adult, because the people within behave like actual people, not flat stereotypes. There is no ‘good side’ or ‘bad side’, and far too many authors do succumb to the temptation of designating entire groups with these simplistic labels. It’s a temptation that I am glad Gedge resists.
Altogether, her skills combine to create a wondrous dream. I had a conversation with my friend Crystal, who is buddy reading this one with me, where we were attempting to describe the subtle, magical sense of mystery that permeates this book as if woven through the pages, and at last I concluded this: Imagine you are walking alone, deep in the forest, when you suddenly come across a secluded glade. The sun streams into the clearing in shafts of golden light, and out of the corner of your eyes you could swear the dust motes sparkle and dance. A cool stream runs through the grove with a musical melody, and the plants shimmer and tinkle like silver bells as the wind rustles their leaves. In that moment, you could almost believe that a kind of ancient magic resides in this place, as a sensation of awed wonder settles over you. That is what The Eagle and the Raven feels like to me when I am reading it. That is the sum total of Gedge’s skills working in concert. Every element fits seamlessly into place to create a picture in my mind’s eye that sweeps me away, for a few hours, to a completely different time and place, and forget about when and where I really am.
Now that’s a great historical novel.
10 out of 10
"Had my high birth and rank been accompanied by moderation in the hour of success I should have entered this city as a friend and not as a prisoner. You would not have hesitated to accept as an ally a man of splendid ancestry, bearing rule over many tribes. My present position is degrading to me, but glorious to you. I had horses, warriors, and gold. If I was unwilling to lose them, what wonder in that?... Does it follow that because you desire universal empire, all must accept slavery? Were I now dragged here as one surrendered without fighting, no fame would have attached to my fall, or to your victory. If you punish me they will both be forgotten… Spare me, then, as an example of your mercy!"
crystalstarrlight's review against another edition
5.0
Bullet Review:
Those last 27 pages - can I ugly cry now??? My heart is in complete shambles.
Full Review:
How do you write a review for a book like this - that takes you to this magical world (I say "magical" even though this world 100% exists because the way Gedge writes Albion is so beautiful, so majestic, so ethereal, that words cease to accurately express the wonderment you have when you read this book and get transported here), into these incredibly crafted people and then slowly breaks your heart as you read the tragedy of the Roman Occupation of England?
Probably 95% of the book is the precursor to the more famous story of Boudicca and how she very nearly was able to oust the Romans from Albion. We start out the book with Caradoc (the real life person of Caractus), Togodumnus, Aricia (known as Cartimandua) and Eurgain in their early/late teens. The world of Albion is relatively peaceful - Caradoc's father is looking to extend the borders of Catuvellauni tribe, Aricia faces going home to Brigantia, Caradoc battles his emotions towards Aricia and Eurgain. And then...Rome attacks.
This book took me nearly 4 months to read, but it wasn't because i was bored or dragging myself through it because I hated it. Hilariously enough, I struggled with the sheer size of this book - it is bigger than your typical paperbacks, more like a hardcover size with pages full of text from top to bottom on its 694 page length. So the book was heavy and awkward - in the gym, in the bath, before bedtime, on the plane. Nonetheless, I prevailed!
One thing I discussed multiple times with my buddy, Iset, when reading this was how stunned I was at the page count. You know how there are books where you read 300 pages and you are in awe because not a whole lot of anything actually happened. Trying to remember what actually happened and what the point was is a complete mystery. This book was a different experience - I was stunned at how much happened in these pages, how much I grew to love these characters, from Caradoc and Aricia to the Romans, Plautius and Rufus, and how I was enraptured with the story. Every page, every dialogue, every chapter had a point - either driving character development (and damn, this book does NOT shy on the tough character development!!) or plot or painting a beautiful picture of this ancient world.
Honestly, I could go on and on about this book and never really write a review that does this book justice. There are so many aspects where my comments amount to - this was awesome! I love this! This was great! It feels repetitive and phoned in after awhile, and yet that's exactly my thoughts when reading this book. This book nearly literally sent me back in time. I would come out of the book and have to reorient myself. And then you have the ending that kept me up way past my bedtime and sent my heart and soul into overdrive. (The last two paragraphs may not seem like much if you hadn't invested in the whole book, but when I read those at nearly 1am this morning, I was in near tears, my heart pounding and aching as I tried to go to sleep.)
Before I end this horrible review of a wonderful book, I must talk a little about this magical, mystical world of Albion. Albion is (obviously) England, but when reading this book, it's so much more than that. Iset and I went back and forth, trying to describe in words what you felt in your soul - how achingly beautiful the forests were, how mystical and magical it was, as if it was a real life Lothlorien (no wonder Tolkien wrote Middle Earth the way he did!!!!), how REAL the setting was in every location, from Siluria to Brigantia to Camulodunum. I've had the pleasure of going to England, nearly 3 years ago, and even without reading this book, I was stunned at how old and yet magical it was - and now that I've finished "The Eagle and the Raven", I very much want to go back and soak in the Roman Baths and absorb the beauty of this amazing land - and yet also mourn the men and women who died in the name of freedom.
I've had some bad luck with books in the last few years, reading lackluster and mediocre books. This book is definitely not one of them.
Thank you, Iset, for sharing this lovely read with me!
Those last 27 pages - can I ugly cry now??? My heart is in complete shambles.
Full Review:
How do you write a review for a book like this - that takes you to this magical world (I say "magical" even though this world 100% exists because the way Gedge writes Albion is so beautiful, so majestic, so ethereal, that words cease to accurately express the wonderment you have when you read this book and get transported here), into these incredibly crafted people and then slowly breaks your heart as you read the tragedy of the Roman Occupation of England?
Probably 95% of the book is the precursor to the more famous story of Boudicca and how she very nearly was able to oust the Romans from Albion. We start out the book with Caradoc (the real life person of Caractus), Togodumnus, Aricia (known as Cartimandua) and Eurgain in their early/late teens. The world of Albion is relatively peaceful - Caradoc's father is looking to extend the borders of Catuvellauni tribe, Aricia faces going home to Brigantia, Caradoc battles his emotions towards Aricia and Eurgain. And then...Rome attacks.
This book took me nearly 4 months to read, but it wasn't because i was bored or dragging myself through it because I hated it. Hilariously enough, I struggled with the sheer size of this book - it is bigger than your typical paperbacks, more like a hardcover size with pages full of text from top to bottom on its 694 page length. So the book was heavy and awkward - in the gym, in the bath, before bedtime, on the plane. Nonetheless, I prevailed!
One thing I discussed multiple times with my buddy, Iset, when reading this was how stunned I was at the page count. You know how there are books where you read 300 pages and you are in awe because not a whole lot of anything actually happened. Trying to remember what actually happened and what the point was is a complete mystery. This book was a different experience - I was stunned at how much happened in these pages, how much I grew to love these characters, from Caradoc and Aricia to the Romans, Plautius and Rufus, and how I was enraptured with the story. Every page, every dialogue, every chapter had a point - either driving character development (and damn, this book does NOT shy on the tough character development!!) or plot or painting a beautiful picture of this ancient world.
Honestly, I could go on and on about this book and never really write a review that does this book justice. There are so many aspects where my comments amount to - this was awesome! I love this! This was great! It feels repetitive and phoned in after awhile, and yet that's exactly my thoughts when reading this book. This book nearly literally sent me back in time. I would come out of the book and have to reorient myself. And then you have the ending that kept me up way past my bedtime and sent my heart and soul into overdrive. (The last two paragraphs may not seem like much if you hadn't invested in the whole book, but when I read those at nearly 1am this morning, I was in near tears, my heart pounding and aching as I tried to go to sleep.)
Before I end this horrible review of a wonderful book, I must talk a little about this magical, mystical world of Albion. Albion is (obviously) England, but when reading this book, it's so much more than that. Iset and I went back and forth, trying to describe in words what you felt in your soul - how achingly beautiful the forests were, how mystical and magical it was, as if it was a real life Lothlorien (no wonder Tolkien wrote Middle Earth the way he did!!!!), how REAL the setting was in every location, from Siluria to Brigantia to Camulodunum. I've had the pleasure of going to England, nearly 3 years ago, and even without reading this book, I was stunned at how old and yet magical it was - and now that I've finished "The Eagle and the Raven", I very much want to go back and soak in the Roman Baths and absorb the beauty of this amazing land - and yet also mourn the men and women who died in the name of freedom.
I've had some bad luck with books in the last few years, reading lackluster and mediocre books. This book is definitely not one of them.
Thank you, Iset, for sharing this lovely read with me!
ifyouhappentoremember's review against another edition
5.0
I love historical fiction but I don’t normally read works set in Roman or Saxon times. I took a gamble reading this book because the cover was just so awesome and I’m really glad I did!
It’s definitely slow going at first and it takes a while to get acclimated to this world Pauline Gedge sets up. After about 100 pages I was drawn in and it does not let up. Even if you know your history surrounding this era (what I know comes from half remembered documentary I watched over a decade ago on Boudica) it still makes for a compelling read.
Sometimes it really does pay to be shallow and let a beautiful cover help you chose your reading material.
It’s definitely slow going at first and it takes a while to get acclimated to this world Pauline Gedge sets up. After about 100 pages I was drawn in and it does not let up. Even if you know your history surrounding this era (what I know comes from half remembered documentary I watched over a decade ago on Boudica) it still makes for a compelling read.
Sometimes it really does pay to be shallow and let a beautiful cover help you chose your reading material.
tessisreading2's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those old school, magic-infused Celtic books that fall under either historical fiction or fantasy; in this case, definitely historical fiction, but it would probably sit happily on a bookshelf next to Morgan Llywelyn, Marion Zimmer Bradley, etc. The writing is lyrical, there is a strong sense of place, and the book is gripping. However, plot-wise it sagged: the vast majority of the book is about Caradoc (Caratacus) and his unsuccessful rebellion against Rome. Upon his defeat, though, it both follows him to Rome and picks up the thread of various other British rebellions, culminating with Boudicca's. The tone of the book is very mythic (it is extremely Arthurian) and the adventures of the family in Rome don't really suit that - history comes up against mythic and it ends up feeling less plausible in ways that are kind of annoying. They are - as Caradoc admits - fleas against the elephant of Rome, so why are they suddenly So Very Important in Rome just as they were in Britain? The Rome episodes take away from the impact of what we learn about Britain; Caradoc and his family are not relevant to Boudicca's rebellion at all.
Additionally I couldn't quite get a handle on Gedge's treatment of her female characters. On the one hand the women are warriors alongside the men and there are many strong, powerful female characters; but on the other hand, the storylines for the women revolve almost entirely around romance. So Eurgain is presented mostly as Caradoc's wife and most of our involvement with her comes via her relationship with Caradoc; Aricia is a stereotypical lust-crazed villainess (which is actually uncomfortable when one looks at the actual plot: aged fourteen, she sleeps with Caradoc, who is older, and begs him to marry her, but he says "nope" and sends her away from the only family she's ever known; yet she is the evil brazen seductress and he hapless against her wiles, as are many other men to come); Gladys doesn't really get her own plot until she begins her love story; even Boudicca, until the death of her husband, is presented mostly in the context of her (strong and loving) marriage and partnership. Furthermore, after Boudicca's daughters are raped, they both go instantly insane; Boudicca herself indicates that it is nearly impossible for her to figure out a way/reason to go on living after her husband's death.
All that said, this book was incredibly absorbing and, had I read it as a teenager, I doubtless would have become obsessed with it; so four stars.
Additionally I couldn't quite get a handle on Gedge's treatment of her female characters. On the one hand the women are warriors alongside the men and there are many strong, powerful female characters; but on the other hand, the storylines for the women revolve almost entirely around romance. So Eurgain is presented mostly as Caradoc's wife and most of our involvement with her comes via her relationship with Caradoc; Aricia is a stereotypical lust-crazed villainess (which is actually uncomfortable when one looks at the actual plot: aged fourteen, she sleeps with Caradoc, who is older, and begs him to marry her, but he says "nope" and sends her away from the only family she's ever known; yet she is the evil brazen seductress and he hapless against her wiles, as are many other men to come); Gladys doesn't really get her own plot until she begins her love story; even Boudicca, until the death of her husband, is presented mostly in the context of her (strong and loving) marriage and partnership. Furthermore, after Boudicca's daughters are raped, they both go instantly insane; Boudicca herself indicates that it is nearly impossible for her to figure out a way/reason to go on living after her husband's death.
All that said, this book was incredibly absorbing and, had I read it as a teenager, I doubtless would have become obsessed with it; so four stars.
kimcheel's review against another edition
3.0
Man, I really wanted to love this. I love these players in history and often wonder what would have happened if they won. But the writing just seemed to tedious with perspective shifting without allowing us to take a breath. I feel there were too many extraneous characters and monumental character deaths were just glossed over to get to the inevitable finish.
riseclare's review
4.0
Gedge is a historical fiction genius. Love all her books and this was no exception
blackwaterlilly's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
medea_jade's review against another edition
4.0
Pauline Gedge is one of my favorite authors, but this is not my favorite of her books. While it’s still excellently and written impeccably researched, it’s a little bit slow. I felt the pace dragged significantly at certain points and it took me a long time to work my way through. However, if what you are seeking it’s a book that you can fall into and spend hours reading, this is the book for you. If you’re looking for something with a little bit more action and adventure I don’t think that this is the appropriate choice.
zena_ryder's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. The characters are complex and well drawn, and ancient Britain under the Romans is very well described. Without turning the Romans into evil caricatures, Gedge does a brilliant job of motivating the urge for rebellion. Personal relationships, even of some of the relatively minor characters, are completely believable and very moving. She also handles the magical beliefs of the Britons very well. You can get into their skin and see it as they see it, without the author injecting real magic into the story.
Two things to bear in mind if you consider reading this book, so that you won’t be disappointed. One is that — despite the description on the cover of my edition — most of the book is not focused on Boudicca. It is about ancient Britain more generally, with other tribal leaders (first Caradoc and then Venutius) occupying most of the book. The second is that the book is long. (My edition has 744 pages of small type and it took me two months to read!) It isn’t too long — there are no extraneous scenes or plot lines — but I do recommend reading it when you know you’ll be able to dedicate the time to enjoy it fully. It’s also dense, with many characters and lots of detail, so it’s best read in long sections, rather than in little snippets.
I checked what is known about the history and it seems that, at least in broad strokes, the book is historically accurate.
My only criticism of the book is that I wish that my edition had had a map of ancient Britain. Obviously these can be found on the internet, but it would have been nice just to flip to a map in the book to see where the different places mentioned were in relation to one another.
Two things to bear in mind if you consider reading this book, so that you won’t be disappointed. One is that — despite the description on the cover of my edition — most of the book is not focused on Boudicca. It is about ancient Britain more generally, with other tribal leaders (first Caradoc and then Venutius) occupying most of the book. The second is that the book is long. (My edition has 744 pages of small type and it took me two months to read!) It isn’t too long — there are no extraneous scenes or plot lines — but I do recommend reading it when you know you’ll be able to dedicate the time to enjoy it fully. It’s also dense, with many characters and lots of detail, so it’s best read in long sections, rather than in little snippets.
I checked what is known about the history and it seems that, at least in broad strokes, the book is historically accurate.
My only criticism of the book is that I wish that my edition had had a map of ancient Britain. Obviously these can be found on the internet, but it would have been nice just to flip to a map in the book to see where the different places mentioned were in relation to one another.
hmcgee's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the beginning of this book - exploring the world of ancient Albion. However, the book did have some moments of painful slowness, particularly the many many pages devoted to the battles. Overall, an enjoyable escape.