Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Walck (1959), Edition: Hardcover, 240 pages
Description
Instead of leaving with the last of the Roman legions, Aquila, a young officer, decides that his loyalties lie with Britain, and he eventually joins the forces of the Roman-British leader Ambrosius to fight against the Saxon hordes.
User reviews
LibraryThing member atimco
As the fourth book in Rosemary Sutcliff's Dolphin Ring cycle, The Lantern Bearers takes on a distinctly bitterer note than the preceding novels as it chronicles the downfall of Roman power in Britain. The empire is crumbling and Rome is cutting its losses by recalling its auxiliary legions. At the
There are several distinctly adult themes moving under the current of the plot: family loyalties, forgiveness, captivity, identity, and the significance of major historical events to individuals. Aquila's sister Flavia is carried off when the Sea Wolves raid their farm, and after several years of Jutish slavery, Aquila finally finds her again. But her captivity is of a different kind now; she is married to her captor and has a son by him. Though she has the chance to escape with Aquila, she chooses to stay. And for this Aquila can never forgive her, never even begin to understand — until his own wife Ness makes a similar choice years later. "Our Lord help me! He is my man." There are many kinds of bonds.
Sutcliff also explores fragile family relationships with insight and realism not often found in historical fiction written for young people. Aquila is an indifferent husband who marries his British wife at his commander Ambrosius's wish, to strengthen ties between their peoples. He never really gets over Flavia's betrayal, and this pain colors all his relationships. He becomes a proud but emotionally distant father to a willful son who cannot understand his father's reticence. Aquila eventually does achieve a measure of trust and love in his family, but it is a hard-won victory gained over many years. Sutcliff's point seems to be that the upheavals of history are meaningful not just on an international level, but personally to those who suffer them. Really this whole story is a paring-down of the Roman-British experience after Rome started falling apart, a vast historical event in the microcosm of one man's life.
I found the Arthurian theme fascinating; unlike so many novels about Arthur (or Artos, as he is called here), this tale only includes him as a minor character, a figure on the fringes of Aquila's story. The title refers to the abstract idea of keeping a light burning in Britain, just as Aquila symbolically kindles the Rutupiae Light after its legions abandon it. Though it is not made explicit, the implication is that Artos — as well as ordinary people like Aquila and his family — will be "lantern bearers" in the chaos of Britain following the Roman withdrawal.
This is a bittersweet novel notable for its themes of family relationships, the meaning of subjugation, and the wreck of loyalties amidst a tumultuous historical period. Though all of Sutcliff's novels contain memorable characters and complex relationships, those of The Lantern Bearers stand out as particularly insightful. I would not hesitate to give this book to a young reader, but adults also will find it rewarding in both its historical and relational veracity. Excellent.
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last moment, the young legionnaire Aquila makes the momentous choice to go "willful missing," to abandon his position as a Roman officer and stay in his native Britain instead — "one faith kept and one faith broken" (25). As a last gesture, Aquila kindles the Rutupiae Light the night after the legions sail, sparking a legend treasured for years to come by those in Britain still faithful to Rome.There are several distinctly adult themes moving under the current of the plot: family loyalties, forgiveness, captivity, identity, and the significance of major historical events to individuals. Aquila's sister Flavia is carried off when the Sea Wolves raid their farm, and after several years of Jutish slavery, Aquila finally finds her again. But her captivity is of a different kind now; she is married to her captor and has a son by him. Though she has the chance to escape with Aquila, she chooses to stay. And for this Aquila can never forgive her, never even begin to understand — until his own wife Ness makes a similar choice years later. "Our Lord help me! He is my man." There are many kinds of bonds.
Sutcliff also explores fragile family relationships with insight and realism not often found in historical fiction written for young people. Aquila is an indifferent husband who marries his British wife at his commander Ambrosius's wish, to strengthen ties between their peoples. He never really gets over Flavia's betrayal, and this pain colors all his relationships. He becomes a proud but emotionally distant father to a willful son who cannot understand his father's reticence. Aquila eventually does achieve a measure of trust and love in his family, but it is a hard-won victory gained over many years. Sutcliff's point seems to be that the upheavals of history are meaningful not just on an international level, but personally to those who suffer them. Really this whole story is a paring-down of the Roman-British experience after Rome started falling apart, a vast historical event in the microcosm of one man's life.
I found the Arthurian theme fascinating; unlike so many novels about Arthur (or Artos, as he is called here), this tale only includes him as a minor character, a figure on the fringes of Aquila's story. The title refers to the abstract idea of keeping a light burning in Britain, just as Aquila symbolically kindles the Rutupiae Light after its legions abandon it. Though it is not made explicit, the implication is that Artos — as well as ordinary people like Aquila and his family — will be "lantern bearers" in the chaos of Britain following the Roman withdrawal.
This is a bittersweet novel notable for its themes of family relationships, the meaning of subjugation, and the wreck of loyalties amidst a tumultuous historical period. Though all of Sutcliff's novels contain memorable characters and complex relationships, those of The Lantern Bearers stand out as particularly insightful. I would not hesitate to give this book to a young reader, but adults also will find it rewarding in both its historical and relational veracity. Excellent.
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LibraryThing member Crypto-Willobie
I think Sutcliff may be one of the most underrated and neglected novelists of the 20th century. These books aren't really for 'young adults', they're for people. OK, a little old-fashioned at times, occasionally a little corny, stories rather than confessionals, but they're so true.
LibraryThing member john257hopper
This is the third novel in the author's beautifully written Eagle of the Ninth trilogy. This is set some three hundred years after the first novel. Another Aquila, descendant of the legionary of the same name who discovered the lost legion's eagle standard north of Hadrian's wall, has lived in
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Britain all his life and is shocked when the disintegrating Roman Empire withdraws the legions from Britain early in the fifth century AD. Feeling more British than Roman, he deserts and rejoins his family. However, very soon they are attacked and most of his family and household are killed by Saxon raiders. After a long series of adventures, including a spell as a slave, Aquila is at the heart of the Romano-British resistance to the growing Saxon influence in the country, becoming close to the future king Arthur. This is a more introspective novel than its predecessors, with themes of loyalty, loss, revenge and forgiveness as Aquila's new life unfolds and he comes to terms with all that happens to him. There are a number of rather unlikely coincidences to push forward the plot, but this is superbly written and a joy to read. The eponymous bearers are those who carry the light of Romano-British culture in the face of what they see as the darkness of the Saxon onslaught, as an ally says to Aquila at the end: "We are the Lantern Bearers, my friend; for us to keep something burning, to carry what light we can forward into the darkness and the wind". Great stuff. Show Less
LibraryThing member quondame
This last of the 3 books of The Eagle of the Ninth Chronicles, this slightly overlaps Sword at Sunset, though there are a couple of discontinuities, the foremost being Aquila's family ring in the first 3 being Ambrosius's gift to Artos while Aquila is still living. For me this is much the best
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book, not being the buddy road trip of the first two, or the opaque ruler of the last, Aquila is a damaged man who with only a little help over a long period of time is able to win something of worth for and within himself and to finally share that. Show Less
LibraryThing member klai
While the plot of the Lantern Bearers is a common one - loss, revenge, growth, forgiveness - Sutcliff's novel is, if not a page-turner, certainly an entertaining and enjoyable read. I took it up as something to read on the tube, but found myself reaching for it at other times too.
LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
One of the Aquila family stories, and deals with Ambrosius Aurelianus. A good book, though we are being set up for `The Sword at Sunset`.
LibraryThing member PollyMoore3
I love these atmospheric and colourfully told old historical novels. But I wonder how many children or young teenagers now could take the very slow pace at which the story unfolds, or identify with its rather dour hero Aquila.
LibraryThing member Chris_El
One of my Favorite Rosemary Sutcliff books. Several of her books are listed as young adult but frankly are so well written and sometimes deal with some pretty adult stuff I'm not sure why.
She effectively evokes the mood and scenes that draw you into the ancient British lands. While it has been
She effectively evokes the mood and scenes that draw you into the ancient British lands. While it has been
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many years I still remember the dolphin ring and the oath calling on the mountains to fall on the oath taker if they did not keep their word. Probably one that I could stand to re-read soon. Show Less
LibraryThing member thesmellofbooks
I've long been curious about Rosemary Sutcliff’s novels, but I don’t think I’d ever read one before The Lantern Bearers. I am a reader who loves excellent writing that doesn’t interfere with the flow of a story. I could not have asked anything more of this book. The characters are well
When I learned that the author had been isolated through her childhood, enduring the crippling pain of her disability, it resonated with what I knew of the main character here. Aquila is not Rosemary, but his distance from the world around him takes it’s truthfulness from her own.
I didn’t expect to like this book, really. I am not interested in English history or British battles. But I have heard her name too many times not to give it a chance.
I loved every word and will certainly read more.
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drawn and I care very much what happens to them. I am pulled into the story but not hurled into it. I appreciate a writer with the confidence to allow me to really see where I am, where my characters are, to live and breathe with them, the quiet moments as well as the ferocious ones, to see what is different in their world and what I recognise from my own. This book follows one individual through many difficult years, through trauma and heartbreak, determination and loyalty, and an unvoiced wrestling with himself and how he is in the world.When I learned that the author had been isolated through her childhood, enduring the crippling pain of her disability, it resonated with what I knew of the main character here. Aquila is not Rosemary, but his distance from the world around him takes it’s truthfulness from her own.
I didn’t expect to like this book, really. I am not interested in English history or British battles. But I have heard her name too many times not to give it a chance.
I loved every word and will certainly read more.
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LibraryThing member witchyrichy
The third book in Rosemary Sutcliff's Roman Britain series begins with Rome leaving Britain forever. One many, unable to leave his family behind, stays only to see disaster that changes his life forever. Another rousing read from Sutcliff where good eventually triumphs over evil. The main character
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of this one--Aquila--is a brooding man bent on vengeance. Show Less
LibraryThing member Helenliz
This is the end of the Roman occupation of Britain. The Saxons are threatening and the Romans withdraw the last remaining Legions to protect Rome.
Aquilla is a Cavalry man in the Legion as it is withdrawn back to Rome, only he decides that his future doesn't lie in Rome, it lies in Britain. His
It is quite complex a read and while there are glorious battles, it doesn't shy away from the darker side, while not necessarily showing those in full detail. It also captures something of the divided loyalties that come into play when a people are divided and families take different sides.
Aquilla is a Cavalry man in the Legion as it is withdrawn back to Rome, only he decides that his future doesn't lie in Rome, it lies in Britain. His
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father is part of the group that is trying to support Ambrosius against the Saxon and has requested support from Roman legions in France. The go between is a bird catcher who carries a lantern. Aquilla returns to his father's villa in time to be with his family as the Saxons attack. The remainder of the book covers his life from there. It is actually fairly open about the fate of women, what happens to both Flavia is off stage, but implied. There is a fair level of co-incidence, but I suppose there is in every life. Some of the supporting characters are particularly well done, Brother Ninian, for instance, plays a pivotal role and helps, again, make a point about the less glorious side of war. The book ends as there has been a battle that stops the Saxons in their tracks, and the next generation are stepping forward to take on the banner that their parents have carried for so long. It is quite complex a read and while there are glorious battles, it doesn't shy away from the darker side, while not necessarily showing those in full detail. It also captures something of the divided loyalties that come into play when a people are divided and families take different sides.
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Subjects
Awards
Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing (Nominee — 1959)
Language
Original publication date
1959
Physical description
240 p.; 8.23 inches