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A review by berenikeasteria
The Eagle and the Raven by Pauline Gedge
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!"