Review: The Eagle and the Swan
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 13, 2014
I've begun to wonder what Theodora might think of her recent celebrity. Since 2010, I've read or sampled four novels that have essentially reintroduced her story, dusting off some 1500 years of human history to breathe life into the legend she left behind. The most recent of these publications is The Eagle and the Swan by Carol Strickland.Cross comparison serves no real purpose so I apologize for any disappointment my refusal to acquiesce to expectation may cause. I will note, however, significant appreciation for Strickland's unique voice. Considering the subject matter, I was initially worried The Eagle and the Swan might feel much like Duffy or Thornton's novels and was happy to discover her singular view of the material.Strickland's distinct emphasis on historic detail was intensely interesting though in retrospect I feel this attention to detail proved somewhat detrimental to the pace of the narrative. Don't misunderstand, I love books that are well-researched and the texture such factual notation brings to a title, but I wont deny there were moments where Strickland’s story seemed to peter out amid the wealth of information presents to her readers.Though a bit modern for the period, I actually liked Strickland's Theodora. Historically speaking, I think the author took certain liberties with her personality, but feel the underlying concepts expressed through the character more than adequate compensation for the discrepancy. What can I say folks? I like books that make you think.The tale of an oft overlooked woman in a time that is all but forgotten, I found The Eagle and the Swan an enjoyable and thought-provoking read that was well worth looking into.