Run to the Western Shore

Run to the Western Shore, by Tim Pears, is an excellent story, well worth my time. So unlike mainstream fiction, it had a slow and enriching narrative, one that focused more on their journey and the world around them than the characters in question. It was simple, and sweet, and easily a one-sitting read. I could tell from reading the author had a deep love and respect for the earth and land, and that this setting was important and beautiful to him, which was a real treat to experience. It bled into ever part of this story, and you can't help but love what others love so passionately.
The ending was... something else. Sad, but powerful, I think it tied up the message and summarised the time and history quite well. I wish it was something else, but I can't begrudge it.

In proofreading notes, the format of the e-book was a little broken up, and needs to be re-aligned before release. Many paragraph breaks that split sentences, and every first word of the chapter was split down the middle in different paragraphs. A few scattered words throughout that also suffered from formatting issues, and extra spaces were inserted, but no errors of craft, just formatting. Excellent work!

This was an interesting read and narrated from a different viewpoint to normal.
Two fugitives from Imperial Rome, one a slave, one a Celtic Chief's daughter flee across a landscape of meadows hills and mountains in south west Britain..
What makes this different from other novels of Imperial Rome is that there is not the battles or the bloodshed but the feeling of being pursued but being immersed in the natural world along the way imparting an understanding of the animals plants and birds through summer to early spring.

Thoroughly enjoyable and not what I expected given the background. Very thought provoking with one culture seeking to tame people and places whilst the other is in tune with it.

A beautiful and enthralling story rich in detail, that draws the reader in slowly but surely. In AD 72 Olwen, a chieftans daughter is promised in marraige as part of an alliance, to the Roman governor of Britain, Frontinus. Baulking at the union, Olwen makes a run for it taking Quintus, a young slave with her. They journey across the countryside towards the sea living off what nature provides. There is so much that is new to Quintus, he absorbs the wonders of the natural environment and learns from Olwen's knowledge and experience. In exploring their backgrounds Olwen tells of her ancestors through stories steeped in myth and legend, Quintus' tales are more practical revealing how many of his family were sold into slavery to cover his father's debts. Their developing relationship is gentle and loving though the story is not without its brutal side as they sense their pursuers behind them. The writing is wonderful, absorbing and pleasurable to read. I have not read this author before and I will certainly seek out more of his work.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

I received a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

Run to the Western Shore is a novella set in Britain in 72AD.

Olwen and Quintus are on the run from the Roman army. One is betrothed to the Governor, and the other his slave interpreter. Neither are set on staying in their situations for much longer, so they quietly and quickly advance across Wales evading the army when they can.

What I found most intriguing about this novella is that the "main characters" seem secondary to the nature and environment that Pears eloquently unravels to the reader. Wales is presented as its own character, brimming with life and energy, far exceeding Olwen or Quintus. While Quintus is the language expert for the Romans, Olwen translates the landscape for Quintus (and us) by lyrically explaining wildlife and culture through her own lessons and storytelling - facts only discovered with archaeological evidence today.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novella but I think it falls into the trap that most pretty novellas often do. And that is, I wanted more.

"Run to the Western Shore" by Tim Pears is a beautifully written and engaging novel. The story follows the journey of Quintus and Olwen, a roman slave and tribal chief's daughter. When Olwen is promised to marry a powerful roman, she flees during the night with Quintus in tow. The pair are mercilessly hunted down by an army forcing the two make their way across the country, living off the land with aspirations of reaching the aforementioned western shore.

The book is an evocative tale that explores themes of loss, family, a stateless existence and self-discovery. Pears does an excellent job of creating vivid characters and a rich setting, immersing the reader in the world of the novel. The descriptions of the countryside are particularly brilliant and add to the overall atmosphere of the book in subtle yet noticeable ways.

The relationships between the characters are complex and nuanced, and the interactions between Quintusand Olwen are particularly moving. The novel also touches on issues of class and social inequality, a not unfamiliar discussion in modern day , but handles them amazingly.

Pears' writing style is both lyrical and precise, with a keen eye for detail and a talent for creating memorable scenes. The pacing of the book is also well done, with a steady build-up of tension and drama that keeps the reader engaged.

Overall, "Run to the Western Shore" is a beautifully crafted novel that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. Pears' prose is a pleasure to read, and the story he tells is both timeless and deeply emotional in a way that I really didn't expect.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this title in exchange for a fair and honest review**

I'll admit, it took me a while to tune into this one. I'd just finished with some sci-fi and I had to refocus a little to take in the lyrical style. It was very much worth the effort.

As someone with proud Welsh heritage, I loved reading the descriptions of the countryside (especially places that I recognised) and I really fell under the spell of the writing. I was disappointed to reach the end as I wanted more and more.

A short but perfectly formed novella.

Tim Pears beautiful prose tells the story of Olwen and Quintus, a chief's daughter given in marriage to a Roman and the slave that she escapes her fate with. The tale follows their flight from the Roman encampment to the ocean. During their travels they meet other people and Olwen tells Quintus stories of her ancestors.

I gave this story 5 stars because it was so beautifully formed. I love historical fiction when it is told simply. This story is more about the survival of those who lived in the harsh times around the times the Romans arrived on British shores. The descriptions of the different people and tribes along with the landscape and animals are what make this short book such a treat.

Highly recommended short read.

Run to the Western Shore follows Roman Slave Quintus and Olwen, a British Chieftan’s daughter, as they escape from the Roman’s (Olwens marriage and Quintus’ status as a slave) and journey west in pursuit of freedom whilst pursued by their captors.

This story is quite fast paced, the description of the landscape and the animals encountered by the pair is detailed and paints a vivid picture of their journey. However, there was little inner thought or internal monologue for either of the characters, as a result, we receive minimal insight into Olwen and Quintus’ thoughts, feelings and motivations. It would have been nice to have some additional reflection on the events or internal monologue, especially early on in their escape to establish exactly how high stakes their fleeing is, or in the progression of their relationship.

Overall, I enjoyed this fast paced quick read, however, I would have loved an alternate (however unlikely it may have been) ending.

Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher, for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.

I have always been a fan of historical fiction particularly this era of history.

Pears detail and descriptions really helped to sell this book as the story although fast paced sometimes started to stagnate.

The character of Quintus was well written, and although took a while to resonate with towards the end was firmly on his team, the ending of this book did him dirty and would have loved to be able to read an alternate ending as I am sure one was written at some point, however the subject matter of this book rarely gives the happy ending we want.

For a short(er) story I was surprised how much information was packed in both the historical references and the character development. Whilst I was left with a feeling of wanting more of something that I’ve not quite put my finger on it was definitely an enjoyable read and an author I may very well pick up again in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher, for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.

Really enjoyed this. It was shorter than I was expecting and could have used a bit more page count but I thought it was a nice dip into Roman Britain. Recommended for a quick read!

This heartfelt novel is a rare literary insight into the world of the Ancient Britons and their Roman conquerors. In fleeing an unwanted marriage and the bondage of slavery, two nineteen year-olds, Olwen and Quintus, find themselves in a fragile, precious interlude from their harsh destinies. As they journey across the wild landscape of iron age Wales, an appreciation nature's bounty and beauty draws them closer, as do their encounters with surprising strangers along the way. The tension quickens as the pair near the sea which they hope will provide them with an escape to safety. Their plight remains gripping to the final page.

Wonderful nature writing combines with a deft historical touch to create a short but memorable novel. The depiction of the young lovers and their surroundings is credibly imagined and the story throws a heart-rending light on a past time which is only sketchily understood today.

‘We live in the time we are given, this moment, but our ancestors are here with us always.’

This novel, set in Britain in 72 AD, takes us on a journey with two fugitives from Imperial Rome. Olwen, the daughter of a local chief, has been promised to a powerful Roman by her father. Quintus, a slave, is a translator with the Roman army. Olwen flees from the Romans, taking Quintus with her. The pair head west, with the army in pursuit.

While Olwen and Quintus can live off the land, they have no time to find refuge. Their journey takes them through some beautiful countryside, Olwen introducing Quintus to a natural world he is not familiar with while trying to outrun the army. As they travel, they speak of their past lives. There is a stark contrast between the urban lifestyle Quintus is familiar with (although I am fairly sure he would not have spoken of either a city or a town as an urban conurbation) and Olwen’s experience of small settlements.

In this world, both Olwen and Quintus are commodities. Olwen has been given to the Romans as part of a peace treaty, Quintus was long ago taken from his home and has language skills which make him valuable. The contrast between the situation Olwen and Quintus find themselves in and the natural world in which they could live if only they had time to find and enjoy peace.

I enjoyed this short novel, with its emphasis on cultural contrasts.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Swift Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Beautifully crafted and well written novel. I was drawn in from the first chapter and read it in two days flat. Hoping for more from this author soon.