Paths of Exile

by Carla Nayland

The stirring story of a young prince caught between Britonnic and Saxon worlds in 7th century England. When his homeland is defeated by a predatory neighbouring kingdom, Eadwine finds himself on the run for his life. Homeless, penniless and friendless, literally with a price on his head, he must evade his enemies, avenge his brother's murder and rescue his betrothed. Along the way, he will lose his heart to another woman and discover a shattering secret that challenges all the ideals he holds dear.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Medieval, British Literature, Fiction

228 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Carla Nayland writes historical fiction set in Britain in the period between the Roman occupation and the Norman Conquest (5th to 11th centuries AD), and fiction set in an invented world loosely based on medieval and Renaissance Britain. Carla Nayland has a lifelong interest in history and archaeology and considered doing a degree in the subject in her spare time, until deciding it would be much more fun to explore it in historical fiction instead. Historical fiction is more absorbing to write than a research paper, because it requires imagining a past society in all its detail, and requires the author to make choices and follow up the consequences. The result is also rather more enjoyable to read than a thesis.

She has degrees in Natural Sciences and Pharmacology from Cambridge, UK, and has worked for many years in corporate strategy, cost-benefit analysis, health economics and scientific writing. Carla Nayland is also a keen hillwalker, which is a bit of a problem as she lives in the flatlands of East Anglia. She knows the M6 rather well. Carla Nayland is a pen name, to keep her fiction separate from her scientific writing.

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has told a clever story. I'm wondering though: Is this meant as a parody of the Dark Ages novel or is it a serious Dark Ages novel? It has pages of broad humor, especially where the protagonist's retainers are involved. Think the 'rustics' in A Midsummer Night's Dream: Nick Bottom and his fellow peasant/actors but speaking in dialect, especially Drust. Any dialect is very understandable--enough to give the flavor of a person's origin, but not enough to put off. It seems like the novel can't make up its mind what it is; it's an amalgamation of both. Whatever it is, one or the other, or hybrid, I certainly enjoyed it.

The year is 605 AD, post-Arthurian 'Britannia' [as the author calls Britain.] Saxons, Angles, and Brittonics [the author's term for Britons or Welsh] are fighting each other for superiority; who should rule. Also, there are a sprinkling of Picts, as shown in Eadwine's retainer, Drust. In battle between the kingdoms of Deira and Bernicia, the king of Deira is killed. Eadwine, the king's youngest brother, sets out, with four retainers, to avenge the death. He and his companions spend an idyllic summer and autumn with four women on a hafod: upland farm. Eadwine and one of the women, the quick-witted Severa, fall in love, although he is never untrue to his betrothed. In fact, he tries to rescue her from what he imagines may be her horrible fate at the hands of the enemy. Later, clues lead him to his brother's killer and a secret involving his brother is revealed.

Eadwine, his companions, and the four women were likeable. Although the author used some characters who really lived, for many, all but their names have been lost in history. Her Britain seemed a product of her imagination. Many real place names among the fictional were used. I thought the story very ingenious. Her style was very readable; the book was a page-turner. I liked the humor. Some of the turns of phrase seemed very modern, but I felt they were appropriate in this particular context: a story half serious, half parody. Some of Eadwine's thinking seemed very modern too: for example, when he comforts his nephew after the boy's grandfather's death, he also talks about justice and emphasizes treating everyone fairly and class respect or equality in that conversation and in others throughout the book. The ending left me wishing to find out what happens to Eadwine and companions as they tread their 'paths of exile'.

Very highly recommended!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.D. 617. This year was Ethelfrith, king of the Northumbrians,
slain by Redwald, king of the East-Angles; and Edwin, the son of
Ella, having succeeded to the kingdom, subdued all Britain,
except the men of Kent alone

This quite enchanting look through the mists of time back to 7th century Britain finds Eadwine, son of Aelle who is driven out of Deira (Northumbria) by Ethelferth into years of exile.

Ethelferth is most likely brother-in-law to Eadwine and exactly why he pursued Eadwine is not known but Carla Nayland fleshes out those unknown years is a superb fashion. Her research and scholarly attention to detail is impeccable. The terrain as well as culture and customs of post Roman Britain are described beautifully.Her characters sprang to life and entertained me.

I recommend this book to historians and lovers of ancient British fiction and I anxiously await the sequel.

[Carla Nayland]

My own book, but why shouldn't I mention it here?
Editor's Choice, Historical Novels Review, August 2009.
Nominated for People's Book Prize, September 2009.

New edition with a new cover, new and revised maps, a new character list and a much more spacious print layout published by Trifolium Books UK in July 2011, now available.
E-book now available from Amazon Kindle US and UK and Smashwords.
More information: http://www.carlanayland.org/exile/ind...

[Theresa Tomlinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are so short of historical fiction set in the period known as the 'dark ages' that it is always a pleasure to discover a new book, and this one does not disappoint. PATHS OF EXILE tells the story of Eadwine of Deira, over the crucial period when he was driven from his home by Athelferth of Bernicia. Eadwine is forced to flee with a small band of loyal companions and we see his struggle to survive and revenge his brother's murder. The dialogue is sharp and realistic and the pace is fast, but with quiet, thoughtful periods that add depth to the characters. Carla Nayland doesn't shrink from gritty descriptions of the harsh conditions of life at that time and we get a vivid picture of the chaos and uncertainty that must have followed defeat in battle and exile into uncertain territory. There is a gentle love story, with heart-breaking moments and some strong women characters. This is a 'rights of passage' story and the reader sees Eadwine as he matures and comes to make life-changing decisions and understand the true nature of loyalty. Carla Nayland's research is impeccable, but at the same time she does not overload us with historical detail. The picture we are given of people struggling to survive amongst warring cultures, land disputes and different languages, must surely have relevance to us today. I like the authors note at the end, which explains the difficulties of setting a story in this period and the historical basis of the story, as opposed to the rich imagination required to fill in the many gaps. I very much look forward to the sequel.

[Howard Wiseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other reviewers have summarised the story. I will just say that the story moves along at a cracking pace, and the level of realistic detail the author gives is outstanding. But then Nayland's website shows she is a real scholar of the period. She also seems to have an intimate knowledge of the landscape, and this plays a big role in the story.

My only real criticism is that the hero and heroine are exemplary in too many aspects: morality, knowledge, quick-witedness, skills of all sorts, and endurance. Eadwine's only flaw seems to be that he puts his faith in the wrong people, and can't see true love when it is staring him in the face.

[Malacima · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,7 stars

[Alistair Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paths of Exile follows the back-to-the-wall story of Eadwine (Edwin), a Saxon atheling on the run after his family is wiped out and his kingdom overrun. It’s a beautifully crafted story by an author who clearly knows her Dark Ages history and has a deft skill at weaving a story of courage, intrigue and betrayal. The setting seems to me to be very real, with great attention to detail in customs, beliefs, topography, religion, economics and social interaction.

It’s the first book by Carla Nayland that I’ve read and I’m delighted to see from her website http://www.carlanayland.org and various other mentions here and there that a sequel is in the offing. It can’t come soon enough. Eadwine has suffered not only family loss and personal injury, but his betrothed has turned out to be a bit of an airhead WAG and the new woman in his life, the courageous and striking Severa, seems to have been consigned to the witch’s flames. And they were made for each other, dammit!

Let’s hope Severa has somehow survived and follows Eadwine and his lively friends in their honourable mission against the odds.

[Tish · Rating 5 out of 5]

An account of the early years of Eadwine, later King of Deira and Bernicia. This was a re-read for me, and I'm glad I did. The story takes place in the early years of the 7th C. [The story dovetails nicely into the Kathleen Herbert books I've been reading about the same general era and place.] When Eadwine's father, King Aelle is defeated in battle. Eadwine, who would have died fighting, was dragged from the battle wounded and unconscious by his loyal retainers and is ruthlessly sought by the new king. The book has battles, a mystery, treachery, love, loyalty, courage and a story that held my interest from the first page to the last. I appreciated the author's notes, maps, and helps. I was left wanting her next book about Eadwine.

[Alex Morgan]

Descartes wrote (Les Discours de la methode - 1637) that "reading of good books is like a conversation with the best men of past centuries . . . ." which is precisely how I felt in reading this historical novel. I was impressed by the thorough research about a time when the Roman Empire in Britain was fading, to be replaced by an emerging nation struggling to come to terms with a ruined economy and the tensions between a pagan and growing Christian society. As importantly, the characters were alive and the sardonic humour rang true!

[Carla Nayland]

My own book, but why shouldn't I mention it here?
Editor's Choice, Historical Novels Review, August 2009.
Nominated for People's Book Prize, September 2009.

New edition with a new cover, new and revised maps, a new character list and a much more spacious print layout published by Trifolium Books UK in July 2011, now available.
More information

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really really liked this book. Sixth century England isn't usually a setting found in historical fiction, and since that's the period I want to study, I was bound to love it. Reminded me of Bernard Cornwell's Saxon series, except a little smaller in scae, which fits, since in sixth centry Britain, small, warring kingdoms were the norm, as opposed to larger regions. Very well researched, good characters, great setting and story, and best of all, more to come!

[Brenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok I have to know-is Nayland writing a sequel because you can't just end a story like that and not follow it up! I absolutely forbid it. It did take a while to get into the storyline because you had to figure out the characters but once everthing clicked-boy did it click! I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in pre-1066 British history!

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eadwine's family is driven from their throne by a robber king. Supported by his friends and by the enemies of the cruel conqueror, Eadwine sets out to take vengeance and earn the rulership of his people. http://www.reviewers-choice.com/paths...

[Connie Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hugely enjoyable read with gritty reality, a great sense of place and time, and touches of quirky humour