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THE CIRCLE AND THE CROSS This is part one of a trilogy that is now available in the UK after first being published five years ago in Australia. It is set in 5th century Ireland and tells of the coming of the Roman Christian missionaries, determined to stamp on the pagans and convert them with whatever means necessary. But there are already Christians established here – the White Brethren or early Celtic Church and they live happily alongside the pagans. The new brooms are lead by the hot-eyed foaming-at-the-mouth Palladius The Elder and arrive in Ireland after a stormy voyage. On their first night one of their number is murdered by another. Then they encounter the peaceful enlightened inhabitants and find a native ally and some Saxon mercenaries and so the trouble begins. Meanwhile the bard Gobann has a mission; he must find The Wanderers who are to help his troubled land. One is a girl raised at Tara and the other a blacksmith’s son whose family is to die horribly at the hands of the murderous monks. Harp-strumming bards, tough warrior women, fanatical and chauvinistic religieux, peaceful Druids and brutal Saxons. It’s all here in this novel which is listed as fantasy but is really history seen through the eyes of the people of the 5th century and their beliefs. Drug-induced visions that conjure up the world of Faerie and sacred trees were a fact of life rather than the creations of a fantasist but fantasy fans may also enjoy seeing motifs from their favorite genre in a historical novel. Ireland is blessed with a mild climate but we are told of snow on the ground in May – surely not – and horses with stirrups although (correct me if I’m wrong) they weren’t in use at this time. I enjoyed reading about the factual clash between Christians of both camps, Saxons and native Irish but my enjoyment was marred by the New Age stereotyping. All the Roman Christians save one token good guy were over-the-top evil fanatics, their Celtic counterparts peaceful and harmonious, in tune with the status quo. The Saxons mercenaries were – well, how you imagine them to be – but I had hoped for individuals rather than stock characters slotted into a plot. Mor admirably manages both the ambience of the real world seen by folk who believe in the Faerie realm and people’s reactions to a time of turbulent change. I was reminded at times of Christian Jacq’s delineation of ancient Egypt that is also described in this way. Plenty of battles and action, as well as times spent by the peat fire listening to stories and the music of the harp and the awe in which the Celts hold these skills made for an interesting glimpse into those long-ago days. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next two books, out later this year. |