Byzantium

Byzantium

by Stephen R. Lawhead
Publisher: HarperCollins
Mass market paperback, 868 pages
Current Retail Price: $7.99
Not in stock

Historical Setting: Byzantine Empire, 9th century A. D.

Although born to rule, Aidan lives as a scribe in a remote Irish monastery on the far, wild edge of Christendom. Secure in work, contemplation, and dreams of the wider world, a miracle bursts into Aidan's quiet life. He is chosen to accompany a small band of monks on a quest to the farthest eastern reaches of the known world, to the fabled city of Byzantium, where they are to present a beautiful and costly hand-illuminated manuscript, the Book of Kells, to the Emperor of all Christendom.

Thus begins an expedition by sea and over land, as Aidan becomes, by turns, a warrior and a sailor, a slave and a spy, a Viking and a Saracen, and finally, a man. He sees more of the world than most men of his time, becoming an ambassador to kings and an intimate of Byzantium's fabled Golden Court. And finally this valiant Irish monk faces the greatest trial that can confront any man in any age: commanding his own Destiny.

CAUTION: This book includes one or more sexual scenes. Not appropriate for young teens!

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  Far-fetched...but Factual!?
Eli Evans of Exodus Books, 5/14/2010
This was the first book by Lawhead I read--I chose it because I wanted to get a taste of his writing style without reading a three (or more) book series.

As expected, I found Lawhead to be an engaging author: his prose was fun and I enjoyed the book. Overall, I thought the plot of Byzantium was far far-reaching and ridiculous--almost to an extreme--until I learned that it is based in real history! Bishop Aidan mac Cainnech died in 949 and grave markers can be found in each of the four churches he founded in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. This is truly one of those stories where fact is stranger than fiction.

One caution: there is some fairly graphic material of a sexual nature here. I don't think it's a problem for most adults, but I would not recommend this one for younger teens.