Rediscovered Classics: The Eagle and the Raven

C.Betts: Pauline Gedge brings to life the turbulent period of Roman occupation of Britain in a sweeping tale, brilliantly realised and using archaeological evidence and contemporary accounts to give it an edge of realism and energy that other novels set in this time profoundly lack. I found it deeply moving and utterly compelling. We will never know the full reality as our Celtic ancestors had a verbal/poetic, rather than written, tradition but Gedge's account resonates with our modern understanding of the mores and traditions of the varied peoples of Britain in the first Century AD. Absolutely brilliant and astonishing that it was out of print for so long.

United Kingdom on Nov 03, 2020

Sari: I read this book close to 30 years ago and have listed it in my top 5 favourite books of all time ever since. Recently I thought I would re-read it to see if it still held the same magic.
As my original copy is packed away on a different continent, I was pleased to track down a new (and better) copy.
By far Gedge is a brilliant writer who paints a rich and deep picture of changing Britain at the time of Roman invasion and conquest and British resistance. The characters, both female and male, are written so clearly and sensitively, you are carried away on their personal and emotional journeys.
I can not recommend this book enough. It was as good, if not better this time around.

United Kingdom on Aug 29, 2018

Amazon Customer: This is truly an amazing chronicle about Celtic Britain. Although it is a long read, it is worth it. I learned so much about this dark period in the world's history.

Canada on Oct 09, 2017

Jeffrey Jotz: This sprawling, ambitious and intricately detailed work of historical fiction covers the Roman invasion of Britain. Contrary to the cover and jacket notes, this book deals very little with Boudicca's revolt against Roman rule. Much of the book details the fall of the Catuvellauni tribe; or more specifically, Caradoc and his people.

The book leaves no stone unturned, and it can be a bit tedious at times. However, the author paints a very rich picture of each character and setting and does an excellent job placing you in the middle of Roman Britain.

United States on Mar 09, 2017

pjburn: . . . but it is the central theme of this saga of the ancient Celtic tribes of Britain as they discover that the ‘peace’ of Rome is not what should replace, for them, the inter-tribal warfare and honor their tribes have known as Iceni, Catuvellauni, Trinovantes, Brigantians, and Druithin of the first century. The Roman law ( a.k.a. greed and power) takes the place of every man’s honor price, removes respect for the land and their own gods, takes the swords out of their hands if they accept the Roman ‘peace,’ and reaches to crush them as they realize their mistakes. But, oh!, how author Gedge re-creates their spirit, their culture, their pride in all their nobility and beauty! It is the epic of early Britain, and how wonderful the leadership of Caradoc and how formidable the nobility of Boudicca as in turn they struggle against the domination of the Romans, governor and procurator and legionnaires together. Wonderful skill, author Gedge, as she reveals human nature emerging from simple historical events and finds nobility and beauty in their suffering and struggle. This reader, however, found that somehow in converting the text from print to digital form, so many errors...

United States on Jul 07, 2015

Paulette Shewfelt: This is some of Gedges's first stuff. She is a compelling author. The tale is entrancing, the characters bold and believable and the subject hovers at the edge of your memory in a pleasant way as English history is brought to life. All of it. Love, betrayal, struggle, win, loss and acceptance. Very good read.

Canada on Jan 04, 2015

K. Andreas: This is historical fiction at its very best. Gedge is a worthy successor to Rosemary Sutcliff, who set the standard high for realism and research to create the feel and the truth of history. This masterful work has withstood the test of time. Its brilliant story line is told in three interlocking parts - from the invasion of Britain, its subjugation and resistance to Roman rule to the final defeat of the tribes in the bloody uprising that almost succeeded in changing the course of history. Gedge creates the places, culture and passion of the people in haunting fashion. Since its initial publication, I re-read this book once a year and am still moved by the beautiful writing.

A word about the Kindle version. The character recognition software used to convert this book to an eBook went terribly wrong. The Kindle edition is full of errors. If you have not read the original book, then you will be puzzled at some of the words and will forever believe that the "torc" is a "tore". It is a disservice to this incredible book - truly a classic - that there was no attempt at editing and correcting all the mistakes.

United States on Dec 29, 2012

lgd: every now and then i come upon a novel that will stay with me for the rest of my life, and this is one of them. what a find! a novel about early britain and the fight for independence once rome has invaded, the novel centers itself around caradoc and bouidecea, two tribal chiefs who fight the seemingly invincible roman army for their freedom. this is a very personal struggle for each of them, and for their families, you don't get a broad sweeping view of things from this book, which is what, to me, made it so compelling. there is a grim, nearly claustrophobic air that hangs over it all, and so it can almost be draining to read, so beware, this is not a happy little jaunt. nonetheless, it has some of the gritty reality of sutcliff's sword at sunset. if you liked that one, you will certainly like this. it's beautifully written, and a page turner, don't let the length get you down. the romans are treated fairly, and there are even some sympathetic characters here among them. either way, i'd hate for you to miss this one, you won't regret it for one second!

United States on Oct 28, 2012

Eva N.: For me it is very difficult to read this book. I know how history runs - so I know what is going to happen to the people in Britain. And I do not want it to happen.
The story is phantasy, nobody knows what the people of that time felt, thought and talked about - but this is the task of a writer who uses real history to tell a story. And this is done well - to good for my feeling. I do not want it to happen - I do not want the Romans to conquer Britain - but they did. At least a bit, enough for those people to suffer. I suffer with them. So for me it was a bad idea to buy that book. But it is a good idea it is written, and I wish more people would read it.

Germany on Jan 29, 2012

Lilly Flora: It was a small island on the edge of the most massive empire the world would ever see.

Coated with mist and covered with the magic of the druids.

The many tribes fought constantly, and a mans honor was valued by the strength of his sword.

Even woman were honored by the blood they had spilled in Battle.

Then Rome turned its eye towards them.

They never stood a chance.

This is the a story of three people, brave, devoted and strong who fought for a cause they knew was hopeless from the start. They gave all they had, gambled all they knew and dedicated their whole lives to a simple ideal: freedom.

This is beautifully written, even moving at times. Pauline Gedge is a wonderful writer, and this should be published again.

If you like this also read The Light Bearer by Donna Gillespie.

Five stars.

United States on Dec 19, 2005