‘A Dark Ages novel that reads like contemporary fiction – the fun and interesting kind’ Irish Independent LONGLISTED: Exeter Novel Prize Seven-year-old Wilfrid lives a privileged life as the eldest son of the warmaster to the King of Northumbria. But his parents don’t seem to love him and his life is turned upside down when he is given away to the monks of the island monastery of Lindisfarne. There he is taken under the wing of Cuthbert, the community’s charismatic prior, who tries to cure him of the demons that torment him. But everywhere the boy goes, he seems to bring ill-fortune in his wake: to Fergus, drowned in the freezing North Sea, or to Sigi, his brother, who is struck down by plague when Wilfrid finds his way back home. As he comes of age and major events erupt all around him – with Northumbria at war with the Picts, religious schisms raging and the queen taking desperate measures to conceive a son – Wilfrid gradually pieces together his own family history, and the ageing Cuthbert’s part in it. An evocative tale of seventh-century religious and political life offers some startlingly modern lessons about trauma and guilt. ‘Whyte tells [the] story lovingly and with attention to detail – sometimes searingly so’ Catholic Herald ‘An incredibly readable account of a fascinating era; a perfect blend of research and storytelling’ Irish Examiner ‘Whyte brings a lost age to thrilling life’ Imogen Robertson ‘Whyte cleverly portrays inner lives as witness to trauma and anxiety’ Historical Novel Society ‘Captures the atmosphere of 7th century Lindisfarne. Not an an easy thing to pull off’ Alistair Moffat ‘A story of immense depth and power’ Peter Benson, winner of the Somerset Maugham Award ‘Thrums with urgent life. An unalloyed joy to read’ Mary Morrissy, winner of the Hennessy Award ‘A captivating tale woven from wind and waves; this novel shines’ Hilary Taylor, author of Sea Defences Paperback: 384pp Published: Lightning Books (October 2024) ISBN: 9781785633362
