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Byzantium

Written by: Stephen R. Lawhead
Narrated by: Stuart Langton
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Publisher's Summary

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 fabled city of Byzantium, where they are to present the beautiful and costly hand-illuminated Book of Kells to the emperor of all Christendom.

During this expedition by sea and over land, 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 confronting any man in any age: the command of his own destiny.
©1996 Stephen R. Lawhead (P)2001 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre Fiction Historical Epic
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What the critics say

"Not merely a gripping yarn - and it certainly is that - this is also a novel about faith and the tests life plants in its way. Lawhead, author of the popular Pendragon cycle of fantasies, here makes a sure move into mainstream fiction." ( Booklist)

What listeners say about Byzantium

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Profile Image for Seth

Loved it!

It started a bit slow but then becomes a page turner. And the last couple pages made the book for me, didn't realize what the book was about until the end when it answers the question it has been asking the whole way thru. I really appreciated it.

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  • J
  • 2019-01-26

Couldn't finish

The story line started in a confusing manner. It felt like it started in the middle of a story without giving proper background details or developing characters....and it went downhill from there. Every time I felt like I was getting into the story and understood the plot, it would fracture, and I would be left confused and disoriented. I gave it a good go, but finally have up.

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1 person found this helpful