|
| |
Hadrian's Wall
by William Dietrich
Novel about the clash between Romans and Celts in 4th century Britain
The Romans built Hadrian's Wall across the middle of Britain in the second century A.D. to mark the northern edge of the Roman Empire in Britain and to keep out the Celts and Picts. The wall stretched more than seventy miles long and was more than ten feet wide. The historical novel, “Hadrian's Wall,” uses the story of Valeria, the alluring daughter of a Roman senator, to give a picture of life around the wall in the year 368. Valeria has been sent out by her family to marry the Marcus Flavius, a soldier who has used political connections to become commander of the Roman troops that guard the wall. During the course of the story, which includes several bloody battle scenes, Valeria is captured by a chieftain named Arden Caratacus and taken to live among the Celts. Readers may see Robin Hood-like elements in this charismatic Celtic leader. The book's other main figure is Galba Brassidias, a brutal career cavalry officer who wears a chain with the rings he has cut from the hands of some forty men he has killed in battle.
The novel goes back and forth between a third-person narrative mainly about Valeria and the people she encounters, and the first-person account of Draco, a “frontiersman and bureaucrat, inspector and scribe,” sent by Rome to investigate the disappearance of Valeria. Piece by piece, he reconstructs a story of treachery, murder, and intrigue.
On a broader level, this novel presents a clash of cultures between the Roman Empire, now beginning to crumble, and Celtic society, which comes off as much the more appealing of the two. There are also a number of subplots including the waning of the Druids and the rise of Christianity. Author William Dietrich seems to have done a good deal of research, as he skillfully weaves much factual material into the story. In one notable error, however, a character, commenting about the backwardness of fourth century Britain, says that there aren't even any universities there. In truth, there would not be a university anywhere in Europe for another five hundred years. Some people may also note that despite the setting at the wild frontier of the Roman empire, on the cusp of the Dark Ages, the characters seem a tad too modern. Still, readers who enjoy historical fiction, especially stories of the Roman Empire or Celtic culture, should enjoy this well written novel.
Title: Hadrian's Wall
Author: William Dietrich
ISBN: 0060563710
Review written by: William Keogan
Reviewer's Rating:8
Reader's Rating: 8.00
Reader's Votes: 1
Talk to other readers about this story.
|
|
|
|
|
|
