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Amazon.co.uk Review
Stephen Lawhead is best known for his "Pendragon Cycle" of Arthurian fantasies. His previous novel Byzantium moved him into historical rather than mythological fiction; The Iron Lance confirms this change. It is the story of the First Crusade told by a youth from the Orkneys, a group of islands off the north coast of Scotland.
At 14 Murdo Ranulfson is too young to go on a crusade. But when he and his mother are thrown off their own land by soldiers of Prince Sigurd of Norway, who has claimed the Orkneys, Murdo travels to the Holy Land to fetch back his father and brothers to reclaim their land. He witnesses at first hand the horrors of the Crusade, particularly what Lawhead calls "the rape of Jerusalem".
In common with Lawhead's earlier works there is a strong Christian element to the story, but here the emphasis is on the spirituality of the Celtic monks Célé Dé contrasting with the venality of the Catholic Church of the time. The main story is framed in the late-19th century narrative of a secret religious order descended from the monks, and from Murdo. This is a powerful and well-told story. Lawhead brilliantly captures better than most American writers what feels like the true essence of medieval Britain and Europe. --David V. Barrett
Review
Praise for Byzantium:
‘Fantasy writing doesn’t get much better than this’
The Express
‘This is a rip-roaring adventure story; the pace rarely flags. There’s scheming, murder and betrayal aplenty’
Interzone
‘Amusing and interesting’
Locus
‘A vivid historical setting and a credible and satisfying plot’
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book tells a wonderfull enrich story that works on many differnt levels. There are basicly three elements of story working at the same time that form one story by the end of the book. The accounts of the cursades is one a reader will never forget. Rich in history and fiction. Never read Lawhead start with this one.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Nearly 600 pages. Within which the IRon LAnce of the title barely makes an appearance. The synopsis on the rear of the book - and therefore on Amazon - is misleading in the extreme. The hero of the book never actually gets his hands on the lance until the last 100 pages or so. True, it is refered to now and again - but only in a brief and cursory way.
I think, therefore, that the book is being mis-represented by the publishers. Don't get me wrong. It's a good read, just not "what it says on the tin."
What you get is a broad-ranging and all encompassing story of the crusades and a good few of the people - both historical and fictional for the purposes of this story - who were involved.
I once heard someone say that the Crusades were one of the Catholic Church's biggest mistakes. If this novel is in any way historically accurate - in particular in it's depiction of Jerusalem being invaded and sacked - then I would have to whole-heartedly concur. Brutal is the word which springs to mind. Heart-sickening is another.
The story is told from the point of vew of a family in Orkney, and also that of a man in 19th Century Edinburgh. It takes some getting used to, but in the end the jumping back and forth the 4 or 5 times is quite rewarding.
Mr LAwhead goes into a bit too much detail for my liking, and I found that the story sometimes lagged in places. I found myself once or twice wishing - like the main character - that things would move on apace(!)
In the end tho' a satisfying read, if not without faults. A good intorduction to a period of history which is tended to be glossed over in some respects. It is shameful what was done - and has been done elsewhere - in the name of Christ and God. I say that as a believing Christian myself.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a longtime admirer of Stephen Lawhead's fantasy novels I found this epic medieval tale of faith, treachery and swordplay a compelling read from start to finish.
The story follows the fortunes of fledgling Scottish noblemen and pilgrim Murdo, who embarks on a quest to the Holy Lands in order to find his crusading father and regain the family lands, which have been stolen from them through the duplicity of their local Abbot. The titular artefact doesn't really feature very heavily in the novel, which instead revolves around the character of Murdo and his progression from callow youth to mature nobleman.
Lawhead narrates the story from two fronts - that of Murdo himself, and one of his nineteenth century descendants, a Scottish lawyer. This dual narrative works very well in terms of structure, although the strand concerning Murdo and his perilous pilgrimage is naturally far more engaging.
The first in a trilogy, I actually read the second in the series before this one, and it is just as good as a stand-alone novel. Perfect for anyone who likes their fantasy history peppered with a dose of realism, this story is stylish and passionate, and definitely left me wanting more.
The story follows the fortunes of fledgling Scottish noblemen and pilgrim Murdo, who embarks on a quest to the Holy Lands in order to find his crusading father and regain the family lands, which have been stolen from them through the duplicity of their local Abbot. The titular artefact doesn't really feature very heavily in the novel, which instead revolves around the character of Murdo and his progression from callow youth to mature nobleman.
Lawhead narrates the story from two fronts - that of Murdo himself, and one of his nineteenth century descendants, a Scottish lawyer. This dual narrative works very well in terms of structure, although the strand concerning Murdo and his perilous pilgrimage is naturally far more engaging.
The first in a trilogy, I actually read the second in the series before this one, and it is just as good as a stand-alone novel. Perfect for anyone who likes their fantasy history peppered with a dose of realism, this story is stylish and passionate, and definitely left me wanting more.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
An excellent read!
This was my first Stephen Lawhead book; my wife has been addicted for years. I thoroughly enjoyed this book (and the sequels for that matter!). Read more
Published 7 months ago by Roxy
the best medieval novel.
Ive read Bernard Cornwells Saxon series and Robert Lows Oathsworn and loved them both but this first novel of Lawheads Celtic Crusades series blows them all out of the water. Read more
Published 15 months ago by N. Slack
First Book in the Celtic Crusade Series
Stephen R. Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2008 by J. Chippindale
Superb
A great tale about the first crusade in all its success and failures. Readers must remember this is a work of fiction as regards the ending but it still gives a plausable way in... Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2006 by Andrew Rossiter
You live as you read !
Again Lawhead takes you to far off places, with your heart in your hands. Yet another can't put down, when is the sequel books.
Published on 16 May 2000
kept me up all night
this mixes fantasy with the Crusades . Really enjoyable kept me up all night reading it
Published on 8 Feb 2000 by Mrs. Re Pratt
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