Review: The Wanderer and the Way by G. M. Baker
Today, I'm delighted to welcome author G. M. Baker to Ruins & Reading. I'm sharing my review of his fascinating historical novel, The Wanderer and the Way. It's well worth checking out, especially if you enjoy early medieval fiction with real characters.
The Wanderer and the Way is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find enticing excerpts, intereesting historical background articles, and more HERE!
The Wanderer and the Way
Cuthbert’s People
by G. M. Baker
Review:
I've been intrigued about this novel when I first heard of it. As I have published a novel set in Septimania, during the turbulent late 8th century, I'm naturally interested in other titles set in that era of much upheaval and change across the whole European continent, and beyond.
I live in Languedoc, in the south of France, and one of the current routes of the Camino de Santiago de Compostella goes through Carcassonne. The town even planted pilgrims’ shells on the path along the Canal du Midi recently!
But up to now, I knew little about the origins of the Camino.
The Wanderer and the Way is book #4 in the Cuthbert's People series, which focuses around a woman, Elswyth (now called Agnes), who was abducted during a Viking raid on Lindisfarne. In this novel, it is through the eyes of young Theodemir, returning poor and bedraggled from Rome, that her story continues.
When Theodemir returns to his Uncle Witteric's villa in Iria Flavia (Asturias), his old differences with his uncle resurface. Full of self-pity and misery, Theodemir is not a likeable character to start with. He's unsure of his calling – is he a soldier or does he belong to the Church? Or should he just wait for his inheritance? – and knowing he's Witteric's only heir, his arrogance keeps him going.
Yet even though Theodemir enjoys the company of women, he sees Witteric for what the older man really is: a cruel, lascivious lord who preys on the young 'small dark girls’ – Iberian and southern slaves – he so favours. And he disagrees with the treatment his uncle dishes out. However, as a poor relation, he doesn't have the clout, nor the influence, to challenge his uncle.
When he arrives, Agnes opens the gate for him, provides him with sustenance and cares for his injuries. Fair and northern – of Anglisc and Welisc stock – her beauty strikes him, and he is instantly smitten. He also finds her defiant attitude challenging, as does his uncle. And despite her being wed (by force) to the Viking raider who'd abducted her and a group of other Anglisc women settling nearby, it is not a fact that deters Witteric in his attempts.
When Theodemir is provided a task – an embassy to the Frankish king, Charles, on behalf of Asturian king, Alonzo – he is reluctant to leave her, and rightly so. On their perilous journey north, they get closer to each other.
But as Theodemir has his task to fulfill, Agnes has her own journey to complete.
Will she manage to escape the clutches of Witteric, and her husband? And what about Theodemir? Well, read the book to find out!
The Wanderer and the Way is the (fictional) story of Theodemir, who later became Bishop of Iria, and who is linked to the discovery of the bones of Saint James when he followed the hermit, Pelagius. Soon after the discovery followed the creation of the first pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella.
In this novel, Theodemir is still a young man – restless, arrogant, full of self-pity and misery. He doesn't know what he wants from life. But his meeting Agnes gives him a purpose – to protect her from evil men. And when he journeys to meet Alcuin of York, Charles’ representative, he offers Agnes a safe-passage with him.
To begin with, Theodemir was an ungrateful young man, but he grows in character as he travels with Agnes. She has a huge impact on him, something that changes his outlook. And even though he hopes to the last for a future together, he has become less abrasive, and more caring.
The historical setting is very well-created. Much research has gone into this novel, and it shows, with realistic effect. The politics of the times were full of intrigues, uncertainties, and attacks, with leaders like the Asturian king, Alonzo, looking for allies in his fight against the encroaching Moors. It's an interesting era, which is depicted really well here, from the scarce details we have (outside of Charlemagne's efficient administration).
An unusual story, The Wanderer and the Way is a gripping tale of self-discovery, danger, opportunity, and love, on an historic journey, which readers of early medieval fiction will thoroughly enjoy.
I found it to be a compelling read that makes you want to know more about the era.
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Blurb:
The Camino de Santiago de Compostela, now the most famous pilgrimage route in the world, was founded in the early ninth century, largely due to the efforts of Bishop Theodemir of Iria Flavia. As with most people of this period, nothing seems to be known of his early years. What follows, therefore, is pure invention.
Theodemir returns footsore and disillusioned to his uncle’s villa in Iria Flavia, where he meets Agnes, his uncle’s gatekeeper, a woman of extraordinary beauty. He falls immediately in love. But Agnes has a fierce, though absent, husband; a secret past; another name, Elswyth; and a broken heart.
Witteric, Theodemir’s cruel and lascivious uncle, has his own plans for Agnes. When the king of Asturias asks Theodemir to undertake an embassy on his behalf to Charles, King of the Franks, the future Charlemagne, Theodemir plans to take Agnes with him to keep her out of Witteric’s clutches.
But though Agnes understands her danger as well as anyone, she refuses to go. And Theodemir dares not leave without her.
Buy Link: Universal Buy Link
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About the Author:
Born in England to a teamster's son and a coal miner's daughter, G. M. (Mark) Baker now lives in Nova Scotia with his wife, no dogs, no horses, and no chickens. He prefers driving to flying, desert vistas to pointy trees, and quiet towns to bustling cities.
As a reader and as a writer, he does not believe in confining himself to one genre. He writes about kind abbesses and melancholy kings, about elf maidens and ship wreckers and shy falconers, about great beauties and their plain sisters, about sinners and saints and ordinary eccentrics.
In his newsletter, Stories All the Way Down, he discusses history, literature, the nature of story, and how not to market a novel.
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