Byzantium

Rating:
Summary: monk turned warrior turned slave turned survivor
Review: This is the story of Aidan - a man who was son of a family of rulers in Ireland, who were killed. He was sent to a monastery, where he became a monk. And that's where the story begins.

Aidan is chosen to be involved in a long trip with several other monks to Byzantium, where he and his fellows will present a manuscript to the Emperor. However, before long, things get sticky; the monks fight off a group of Vikings (Sea Wolves), their ship sinks, Aidan becomes separated and becomes a slave, a spy, a Viking, even a Sarazen.

So much happens to him, in fact, it's nearly impossible for an accurate description. He becomes betrothed to the daughter of the amir of the Arabic peoples. He loses his faith in God - and, very suddenly, the betrothal is cancelled. Just as suddenly, he gains back his faith. He becomes friends with his enemies, enemies with his friends - all in a space of 870 pages.

This novel is a true epic. At times, I'll admit, I hated the book - it was far too wordy; I was sick of reading it and wanted so much to read something different. However, at the same time, I loved it. Not a word was wasted and it is truly something that I would recommend to anyone, whether they be Christian, Catholic, Jewish, or whatever. This is my first novel by Stephen R. Lawhead, and trust me: it won't be my last.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Tale
Review: Like the other reviewers I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This was the first Lawhead book I read and I was very pleasantly surprised by it.

The story is incredible with epic scope and marvelous detail. I was especially impressed with how Lawhead takes the protagonist, a humble monk and slave, through a series of incredible adventures and intrigue.

I had a few complaints with the story. I found the concept of a small war band of hardened vikings attempting to sack a fortifted city as large as Byzantium a bit absurd. Surely these wily veterans would have realized the impossibility of their task, especially once they saw the extent of the Byzantium fortress and military might. I also thought that Lawhead relied a little too much on coincidences. Characters pop in and out of the story a bit too conveniently. While Aiden's spiritual struggle was important to the story, I found that in describing his feelings the author seemed to reiterate the same idea using similar language. I found this tiresome and skimmed many of those repetative sections.

All in all though, it was a fantastic historical novel and a great summer read.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent. Abyssmal. Epic. Full of Wonder.
Review: I read Taliesin and Merlin, both by Lawhead well over 10 years ago .. and feel like an idiot that I no longer own those books. I have to admit that 2 things sold this book for me. The cover illustration and the synopsis on the back. Okay, 3 things. I like stories based around historical events or during historical periods. Byzantium. Wow.

Portions of this book bring to mind, The Lord of the Rings as well as other epic novels based on that particular genre of storytelling.

From the very beginning, we are introduced to the way of life and limited life experience of the Aiden, princeling turned priest. His simple lifestyle may appeal to many of us, even though we outwardly deny the fact. The changes that he goes through as his travels land him in a new situation are wonderful to see. The characters we come into contact with are interesting and as the story progresses, they begin to take on more dimension, which is unfortunately lacking so much in many commercialized stories today, whether in print or on film.

The historical references are captivating, from the Irish monastery, Viking society, Byzantine politics, and Islamic culture. Each of these mark a milestone in the metamorphasis of Aiden and ultimately epitomize the awakening most of us go through/never do/or wish we did.

This is a book that should some day be brought to the screen. I have to admit that as I came to the final pages, I felt some regret and bittersweet understanding that while the end of the road is near, all things require closure. Adventures reach their conclusion. We each go our own way, some we will never see again. However, there will always be the memory of the experience and in this case you need not look further than your own bookshelf. BUY this book. EXPERIENCE it. And keep it for those times when you wish to rekindle that which once burned brightly, if even only for a moment.

Okay. I liked the story.

Rating:
Summary: Innocent meets the big, bad world; survives.
Review: Just finished Byzantium by Stephen Lawhead. Near on 900 pages, it reads both more slowly, and much faster that one would think. Lawhead's historical research into ninth-century Europe, Byzantium, and the Muslim Caliphates is deep and full of subtle detail. Lawhead writes of a fictional Irish monk, Aiden mac Cainnech, and his life adventures as he undertakes pilgrimage to Byzantium in company with his fellow monks, to deliver the tribute of a fabulously illuminated bible, the Book of Kells, to the Holy Emperor. Hidden beneath the surface of this holy quest is a political scheme to place the monestaries of Ireland under the authority of the Eastern Church, as there is much friction with the Roman branch of the church. Aiden knows nothing of this scheme until very late, and is in fact truly an innocent.

The pilgrimage suffers disaster, in the form of a raiding party of Sea-wolves, and Aiden is carried off as a slave. The story follows Aiden as he journeys through Danemark, then to Constantiople, to Trebizond and Samarra, and back again. Along the way he is enslaved, raised to positions trust, betrayed, rescued, brought into the the courts of the Caliph, freed, and returned to the Golden City. Aiden falls in love and loses it, trusts and has his trust violated, shows deep faith and falls far from grace.

While some might argue, with some justice, that the story suffers from more than bit of "You Are There," it's really necessary to the story, and it's done in such a manner to not intrude. There are battles, but never gratuitously placed, and in each one you see Aiden's growth from panicked floundering to cool-headed observation. The blood is rendered unsympathetically, with only the necessary minimum of detail. The power politics are much dirtier than the fighting, for all that they're only seen in outline. This story isn't so much about what actually happened in history, as it is about how the history looked to outsiders.

The story is so well written and so convincing that I looked-up Aiden to see if this was a fictionalization of a real monk's life. It's not, though there are three different Saint Aidens listed in the Catholic Online database. But this excellent historical fiction is entirely plausible just the same. Read it!

Rating:
Summary: Abandoned by God
Review: Aidan, a young Irish monk, is one of thirteen brothers chosen for a long pilgrimage to Byzantium where they are to present a costly gift to the emperor. Aidan grew up in the monastery and hasn't been to very many places, so he is happy and excited about this opportunity to see the world. But the journey proves to be a disaster. Sea Wolves attack the monks' ship, and things seem to go from bad to worse after that.

The story has too many twists and turns to retell here; besides, I don't want to spoil it for you so I will concentrate on the spiritual part of Aidan's long journey, which, to me, was just as fascinating. At first, Aidan behaves like a perfect monk and a perfect Christian: he faces trials with remarkable patience and endures hunger, captivity, and beatings without a word of complaint. He is fully devoted to God, trusting that there is a purpose in all this, even though he might not understand it himself. But then Aidan's faith is shaken. He still believes in God, but he feels that God has abandoned him in his misery.

But a remarkable thing happens. As Aidan's faith declines, that of his new friends Vikings whom he'd been trying to convert before seems to grow. They want to hear more about this god, Jesu, and when Aidan angrily replies that this god is a cruel, uncaring god who is not worth praying to, the Vikings assume that the god must be really good since Aidan wants to keep him to himself (I loved that part!). Nevertheless, Aidan continues his journey faithless. Hate and thirst for revenge now burn in his heart instead. It seems that nothing can turn him around - and you don't blame him as you read on. None of us would wish to have our faith tested that way.

I will not tell you how the journey ends, you'll have to read for yourself. I'll just say that this story was a true blessing to me, in many ways.

Rating:
Summary: SLOW START BUILDS TO AN AMAZING TALE
Review: The groan factor began almost immediately and stayed for about the first 100 pages of the book - well past my "get me in 50 or your donated edict." I'm glad I stuck with it despite the flat start, because this book clips right along and kept me turning the pages, which is all anyone wants - to look forward to the time when you can dive back in.
Others moan about the absence of "nail on the head" historical accuracy of the book, I however didn't encounter any passages that failed so bad as to pull you out of the story.
From the Viking vessels that the Sea Wolves used and how they were forced to portage on certain parts of the Dneiper & the barbarian mentality are all accurate and extremely interesting. The Description of Byzantium (Constantinople, currently Istanbul) and the Emperor Basil is also equally fascinating and accurate.
Pros: Solid Historical Fiction with a fast moving plot and a satisfying conclusion. I will read more Lawhead books.
Cons: 1st person narrated, which is constricting - but not enough to sink this story.
Go for it!

Rating:
Summary: Byzantium is fascinating!
Review: If you are looking for a good book, than Byzantium, by Stephen R. Lawhead, would be a good start. This story is great because you can relate to what the main character is going through, unlike other novels I've read.

But for a pre-cation before you choose to read this book is you should be a Cathlic or any other religion who believes in God. Since the main character is an Irish monk and lives in a Cathlic monestary there's a lot of talk about God and Jesus and might be disturbing for some people.

Like I said, you can relate to the character and what he is thinking. Lawhead writes this story in the character's point of view so you know what he is thinking, and he also does alot of thinking!

What is fascinating about this book is that the author mixes different cultures together, like celt, arabain, and viking through Aidan's, the main character's, journey.

Though the only problem with this story, which is why I'm giving it 4 stars, is some of the events are alot like other stories and are highly banal. That is also the same with the plot, the same as other stories. But if this story is not appealing enough, than try reading some of Stephen R. Lawhead's other series like: The Empyrion Saga, the Pendragon Cycle, or the Song of Ablion series.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Adventure that captivates
Review: Purely becasue I have not checked I am not sure about the accuracy of all that is mentioned in the book but I am sure some research went in to it and the book gives you no reason to doubt it, which is what a good book does. It keeps you captivated and attentive to details but not really concerned about their validity. However, the historical details make this a more interesting story. The story weaves together the different worlds that existed around the same time in different parts of the world through Aedans fantastic journey from Ireland to his captivity by vikings to Byzantium and further yet into the arabic world. It has at times a humours and accepting way to describe differences in culture and lifestyle. I loved this book. It was well written and kept me wanting to pick it up again each time my lunch hour was over and I had to stop until the next day's lunchtime.

Rating:
Summary: Nice "Local Color" but Not Much of a Story
Review: Vividly written but with very flat characters and a story that is highly predictable, somewhat unfocused and rarely compelling, this adventure hovers in the average range throughout its long narrative unravelling. It is the tale of a young Irish monk, Aidan, who is tapped, much to his own surprise, to deliver a precious manuscript from his monastic retreat in medieval Ireland to the Emperor of Byzantium as part of a mysterious embassy whose full purpose he is not completely apprised of. Kidnapped en route by marauding vikings, he does a stint in Scandinavian slavery where he befriends, and is befriended by, his viking captors who eventually drag him down with them to Byzantium (his original destination!) in an abortive raid on a city they are not really prepared to deal with. Falling in with the Byzantine bureaucracy, Aidan and his newfound Norse friends are tapped for a further mission to the Middle East where Islam holds sway and there our young monk is sorely tested and must experience degradations of slavery which make his Scandinavian sojourn a veritable Roman holiday. Unfortunately, the allegedly spiritual experience of our young monk never really hit home for me. There's lots of talk about what he realizes and experiences through his harsh servitude, and afterwards in his encounters with Muslim and Byzantine betrayals, but I never "saw" or felt any of this in the unfolding tale. And that, really, is what a work of fiction is supposed to provide us with, isn't it? The book, as a novel, regrettably leaves much to be desired. No sense recounting much more of the plot here since the events have been adequately summarized by others. Suffice it to say, however, that this tale, while nicely told in places, particularly in its presentation of those almost loveable rogues, the vikings, is largely unsuccessful in its efforts to construct a believable and compelling tale. The vikings come across as too humanized . . . you gotta love these guys while they're sitting around the campfire barbecuing and drinking beer as they dispute events from the latest battle, plan for the next and struggle with the metaphysical notions of God and eternity! Of course vikings were like that though somehow we never realized it from the literature of the period, right? At the same time, the city of Byzantium, the real heart of this tale, is rather flimsily realized (barely more than a Potemkin village, unfortunately) while the Arabs are too good and evil by turns. Even the monks are too simple to be believed. In the end, the story, for all its attempts at adventure and "byzantine" intrigue, didn't resonate for me. Three stars because the prose is clear and fresh but the rest of the "telling" just drags the book down. -- SWM

Rating:
Summary: An Action Tale
Review: Historical fiction is often a hit or miss affair. When it hits (as it does with Tolstoy's "War and Peace"), it takes the reader back to another time while teaching valuable lessons about humanity. When it misses, it ends up looking a lot like Stephen Lawhead's "Byzantium." This isn't to say that "Byzantium" is a bad book; it is certainly entertaining as an action packed yarn with a cast of characters longer than your arm. But "Byzantium" fails as a historical tale because it really doesn't reflect the time period in which the story takes place.

Set in the 10th century during the reign of Byzantine emperor Basil II, "Byzantium" is a detailed account of the travels of Aidan, an Irish monk charged with delivering a special copy of the New Testament to the city of Constantinople. Aidan sets out with a group of monks on this mission, nervous about discharging his duties but excited about having a chance to see the world. Aidan does get to see the world, and he sees it in ways that he never imagined. Right at the start of the mission, the boat Aidan is sailing on is waylaid by a band of pirates. Aidan is taken prisoner, made a slave, and begins a roundabout trip to Constantinople. Along the way, Aidan falls in with a Viking expedition, travels through Kiev, visits Constantinople for an audience with Basil, acts as a spy for the Byzantines, is captured by Arabs, learns several languages, is almost executed in a slave mine, nearly marries a beautiful woman, and loses his faith (in no particular order).

All of these situations are well drawn and fairly exciting (especially the sea battle towards the end of the book, a battle that hums with energy and tension). Throughout each of these situations, Aidan must rely on his wits and various abilities to stay alive and hope to complete the mission he set out on. Lawhead certainly has the ability to create intriguing set pieces, whether it is the inside of a Danish feast hall, an Arab palace, or the city of Constantinople. This makes the book a fun read.

Regrettably, Lawhead fails to create convincing connections with the 10th century European world. Outside of a brief encounter with Basil II, this story could easily have been set in any time frame between the 6th and 14th century. The historical elements drop into the background of the story for large sections of the book. In other words, the book just doesn't speak from its time as many other books in the genre do (think about a book such as "The Name of the Rose," for instance. That book creates some medieval atmosphere!). Perhaps this comes from a fear of making errors about the time frame, or a lack of hard research into the period. This book should be categorized as action/adventure rather than historical fiction.

The character development is lacking as well. It is understandable that all of the characters could not be developed due to the large number of people populating the pages of this story. The problem comes when major characters show a disturbing shallowness. Aidan, the main character and narrator, isn't given much to do beyond observing and surviving his surroundings. His crisis of faith, a cliché of epic proportions found in almost any book in which a priest is a character, isn't enough to create a memorable character. Other characters are reduced to mere cardboard cutouts.

Still, books like "Byzantium" do serve an important purpose. It is a relaxing book, one that doesn't require much thought to get through. This can be soothing after plowing through literature, history, philosophy, or any other heavy reads. Its length may scare off some, but "Byzantium" provides a good dose of action for those who crave such things