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A review by tessisreading2
The Eagle and the Raven by Pauline Gedge
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.