The Eagle of the Ninth (The Eagle of the Ninth Trilogy Book 1)

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I didn't realize then how meaningful it truly was or realize the rest of the similarities between me and Marcus - but I would later on as my future unfolded. And as I did so, I was suddenly hit with the realization that the connection, parallels, and similarities between Marcus, me, and our journeys were far greater than I had previously supposed.

And it made me cry to contemplate it.

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Because his story didn't end with him lying in bed wounded. That was only the beginning, even if it seemed to him like the end of his story and the effective end of his life. Like me, Marcus lay in bed unable to get up and struggled to find the strength to keep fighting and going on.

The Eagle of the Ninth

But like me, he did keep fighting and did go on. His dreams and goals seemed impossible and hopeless, but instead of resigning himself never to pursue them, he kept striving toward them. He could never be a soldier again, but he found other, more important dreams to pursue. Even those dreams seemed impossible - and would've been for a less determined man.

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But though so many people scorned his goal as unattainable and impossible, he pursued it anyway against all odds. That's what I'm doing.

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Life does go on even when it seems too difficult. Like Marcus, I'm healing from that illness. But like his, it hasn't gone away, even though it's greatly improved, and sometimes it gets worse again, as his did.

However, both of us have gone on anyway and refused to let it stop us. Marcus was left as a lame man, doomed to walk with a limp and feel pain for the rest of his life. But he walked again and lived a meaningful life despite injury and hardship. And he pursued his "impossible" dreams - which remained despite their revision. The young man who at first couldn't walk and could later walk only with difficulty went on his noble and perilous quest anyway, tramping through the wilderness, lame leg and all, in search of the dream he carried from the start.

And I'm doing the same. I'm crippled in a way, but I haven't halted even though going on is still difficult. Like Marcus, I'm healing in spirit and heart as well as in body. Like him, I'm walking ahead on a long, hard road with many obstacles in the way of my journey. But like Marcus, I'm forging ahead toward my revised dreams anyway, against all odds. And like him, I believe I'll reach my goal, even if it still looks impossible - and should still be. Marcus pursued his dream relentlessly, and it paid off as a direct result of that determined pursuit. He refused to settle for a mediocre life.

And although it looked different than he expected in the end, his dream was restored when it should have remained dead.

He reached his goal against all odds, when he should logically have failed. And as I follow in his footsteps, figurative limp and all, so will I. Until I read this book again just now, I had forgotten the unexpected words Marcus says to Esca near the end, if I ever noticed them. They didn't mean to me before what they mean now, and they struck me like they hadn't before, piercing straight to my heart. Just after the two characters return from their journey, Marcus has finally found inner freedom from the inner and outer scars of his crippling wound, even though those scars still remain.

Esca is still inwardly living in the shadow of past slavery, and Marcus hurts to see it and urges him to let it go. Marcus tells Esca that neither of them can let their scars define them. They can't live their lives under the shadow of the deep wounds of the past. They must forge on as free men, not living as slaves to the hurts they went through.

Those words of truth are for me as much as for Marcus and Esca, and they help me and mean the world to me, as I'm sure they have for many others. Hearing that message from a character I look up to - and through Marcus, his author - helps me as I strive to do just that. Like Marcus, I refuse to let those things define me. Like him, I'm pressing on in freedom and overcoming my own obstacles, striving toward my dreams.

Right now, I'm at the place Marcus was in at the beginning of the final chapter of The Eagle of the Ninth. I've gone on to finish with difficulty the next goal ahead of me. And now that I have, I'm once again face to face with the unknown future that's been in the background this whole time. I'm still striving toward my lofty goal, and I believe I'll reach it one day, but as of now, it's still impossible.

I'm waiting indefinitely for a breakthrough to make those things possible. And I believe that my breakthrough will come just as Marcus's did. Someday several years from now, when I reach the goals that are so close to my heart, I will re-read The Eagle of the Ninth again, and identify with Marcus yet more, because I'll be in the place he was in at the very end of the book, when all his most precious dreams come to fruition. I know I'll get there just as he did. And as it was for him, it will be a sweet and joyful day.

It is a phenomenal book in every way, and there are so many reasons why. Here are just a few of many other things I appreciate about this book: Each character is described in just enough detail to bring him or her vividly to life, and each one feels like a real person the reader is acquainted with. The settings are achingly gorgeous - the high, mist-crowned mountain crags, the rushing breeze and golden sunshine on the green of the garden, the shimmering ripples of the highland lochs, the foam-white sprays of blossoms on branches, the deep gold of the lamplight on the walls, and the scarlet and purple sunset shining on the hills.

Each place is so immediate and real that I feel as if I can smell, feel, see, and taste each living detail, and the beauty fills my heart to the point of bursting. He's such a wonderful character, and though I love so many of the others in this book, he's my favorite. Marcus kind, compassionate, caring, sympathetic, and understanding. He is full of character, wisdom, maturity, skill, valiance, and keen instinct, yet he's young and doubts his own abilities — and he's not perfect by any means. He has such strength of character and leadership that his soldiers and his friends would follow him anywhere - and they prove it by doing so.

I find it endearing that he becomes stiffly proud and arrogant when he feels vulnerable and uncomfortable - yet is truly humble underneath and in reality. He's a stickler for honor, but he cares far more about the honor of his empire and especially his father than about his own honor. He's not aware of his own humility, and the story is from his perspective, so it's never stated in the narrative; rather, his deep, unassuming humility shows in his words and actions.

He is stubborn, determined, and immovable, pursuing his cause and what's right no matter what, refusing to give up no matter the odds. And it pays off when he overcomes the worst odds, going to great lengths for the eagle and refusing to settle for life as an invalid. He is unflinchingly, selflessly, coolly, recklessly, purposefully, and sacrificially brave. Even and especially when he's terrified, he is still strong and courageous, even when it means facing down and enduring death or excruciating pain. But I shall be brief.

I love Cottia's queenlike poise and grace and the fierce and fiery spirit that matches her flaming hair and causes Marcus to call her, "You little vixen!

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I love Esca's loyalty to Marcus, his courage that is every bit as great as Marcus's own, his slow, grave smile, his fighting spirit, and the wildness about him that can never be fully tamed. I love Uncle Aquila and the way he cares about and advocates for Marcus and the others while pretending to be grumpy - while all the while his big heart shines through from beneath.

I love Cub's refusal to be parted from Marcus, his wild, exuberant joy each time he is reunited with his young master, and the way he comforts and stands by Marcus when he needs it most. And I love how even the minor characters are interesting, complex, and often endearing. I appreciate Centurion Drusillus, Guern the Hunter, and Marcus's father, who are wonderful even though they have less time on the page.

Even Marcus's enemies are almost likeable, and even Aunt Valeria is bursting with personality. Marcus is lonely, desolate, and friendless for part of the book, but in a sequence of providential events, he gains three close and loyal friends who are each totally devoted to him in their own way. With Esca, Marcus shares a deep and brotherly bond that motivates Esca to let down his guard, care for Marcus, and walk into unimaginable danger and threat of death alongside his friend.

Instead of the bondage of a slave following his master, Esca follows Marcus as a devoted friend, even when he's free to do otherwise. As for Cottia, I love her friendship with Marcus as well, more than I can put into words. I love how Marcus understands her, fights for her, laughs with her, and takes care of her - and how Cottia supports him, brightens his dim world, and waits many months for his return, among so much else.

Then, there's Cub - as faithful a canine friend as any man could wish for, with devotion and loyalty equal to Esca's. The four of them bring light and laughter to each other's worlds. Marcus reaches out to each of them in turn and earns each of their loyalty. He helps them when they need it most, and in return, they help him when he himself is most in need. What I love most about each friendship is how each of the three chooses Marcus when they could leave and be parted from him — and none of the three can imagine or bear the thought of parting.

They each separately choose to follow him, be united with him, and remain devoted to him when they have a choice between that and the alternative, and that's beautiful to me. Marcus's narration is often sarcastic, ironic, or hilariously biting, especially his mental commentary on other people - and he laughs at himself as well.

The banter and clever dialogue the characters exchange is humorous and delightful, and even in the midst of danger, the characters exchange light or grim jokes. And the comical portrayal of Marcus's alias, Demetrius of Alexandria, had me laughing throughout one funny scene. Among the deep themes are sacrifice, loyalty, leadership, hope, healing; honor and shame; courage and fear; freedom and bondage; and life and death. Even each Marcus's enemies were also friends first. And a few of the good characters aren't totally good. But as each of us must in the real world, the main characters still pursue what they believe is right, and I love that.

Sutcliff also truthfully portrays warring cultures as neither good nor evil — even though they may technically be enemies, there are friendships across the barriers of culture. I love that Marcus learns to see other characters as people, not on the basis of nationality or other difference between them — and that he's willing to learn it.

Even though his allegiance is to Rome, he grows to understand the British culture — and he eventually transfers his home and allegiance to Roman Britain. It will always remain one of the best books I've ever read, and it only grows more wonderful to me as time goes on. It's also stood the test of time through many decades with readers who have gone before me, and I know it will always remain a classic by way of its great quality. You're missing out if you haven't read it, so go read it if you haven't!

It's a wonderful read for anyone who loves young adult adventure or historical fiction — and is just as good if you don't. And if you have read it before or are a fan, I hope you'll appreciate it more or be motivated to read it again. As for me, I look forward to re-reading The Eagle of the Ninth again and again and seeing it even more deeply each time — along with my own life and self as a result. As I've dug deeper into the book this time, I know I've by no means exhausted the truth, heart, and meaning it contains for me personally and in general, and I look forward to discovering yet more when I read it yet again someday.

View all 18 comments. Jun 04, Nikki rated it it was amazing Shelves: This book is fully as good as I remember. That's a lot to say for a book that I adored from the age of eight until about fourteen, reread at seventeen-ish, and then haven't read for a few years In my head, it was always one of the most amazing books of my childhood, and my memory didn't overstate it. It is written for children, so it's very easy to read and perhaps a little less than subtle, in places -- particularly with foreshadowing.

But Marcus and Esca are still the bright, real characters I remember. I always loved the parts that show the bond between them, the friendship, that transcends the initial fact of Esca's slavery. In fact, reading it again, it kind of amazed me how strong their friendship was -- realistic, yes, and with boundaries, but strong.

I can picture both of them as characters, down to the way they move, can almost hear their voices. Part of that is years of imagination as a child, but I wouldn't have bothered if I didn't have good material to work on. It's been a while since I did Classics, and longer since I learnt anything about the Roman occupation of Britain, but I think the historical details are reasonably accurate, too.

I like the development of the two mysteries -- the entombed Roman Eagle, and the disappearance of the Hispana. One thing I did notice was similarities in description and ideas to The Capricorn Bracelet, which I read for the first time last week. That was a little disappointing. Reread again because I'll be getting the rest of this series for Christmas. Each book stands alone, I gather -- certainly The Eagle of the Ninth does, in any case, with no trailing plotlines left behind -- but I wanted to revisit a childhood favourite, and this made an excellent excuse.

For some reason, the moment that sticks in my mind right now is when Esca tells Marcus he saw the march of the ill-fated Hispana to where they fell, and Marcus replies that his father's crest was the scarlet hackle next after the eagle View all 6 comments. Nov 22, Lightreads rated it liked it Shelves: Before I picked this book up, I had gathered two points from, respectively, the title and the edges of assorted flailings by my friends: Turns out, not about baseball! Actually about Romans, which makes a certain amount of sense, since a book about Romans is one of the few things with a decent chance of being Before I picked this book up, I had gathered two points from, respectively, the title and the edges of assorted flailings by my friends: Actually about Romans, which makes a certain amount of sense, since a book about Romans is one of the few things with a decent chance of being more homoerotic than a book about baseball.

A lovely, deliberately young sort of adventure about Marcus the newly disabled former centurion and Esca his British tribesman slave and a quest for the lost standard of a lost legion. The whole thing feels like — well, here, have a sentence. But what I actually liked best about this book was how it played its cards like a straight-talking story of nationalism and loyalty. But how actually all the gears underneath were working for something else. About being who you are wherever the world washes you up, whether that be a Roman deprived of his military life by injury, or tribesman stolen away to slavery and despair and then to something better, or roman soldier left alone in the wilds of tribal Alba with no way home.

About choosing your place by the people around you, and living in it. It won't hold up to too close a scrutiny, but I think it wasn't meant to. Hallie has been bugging me encouraging me to read this for a while, and I put it on the list for the day reading challenge. I took it as a sign. Marcus, a centurion posted to Britain, is severely injured in a battle that ends his longed-for career in 4. Marcus, a centurion posted to Britain, is severely injured in a battle that ends his longed-for career in the military, following in his father's footsteps.

His father achieved a sort of immortality as the leader of the Ninth Hispana, a Roman legion that marched north into the wilds of Britain and never returned. When Marcus gets the chance to go north in pursuit of what is believed to be the lost legion's Imperial Eagle, he jumps at it. It really is that simple a story.

What makes it outstanding, aside from Sutcliff's remarkable ability to make you feel like you're there with Marcus and his friend Esca, a British slave again, as with everything in this book, so much more than that , is how wonderful it is to see the friendship that builds between Marcus and Esca, two young men who ought to be enemies. Contrast this with Marcus's brief acquaintance with the British charioteer Cradoc; Marcus believed they had the potential to be friends, and yet view spoiler [Cradoc betrays him and the rest of the Roman legion stationed at Isca Dumnoniorum, and is indirectly or directly the cause of Marcus's laming.

I see now how this book might have influenced Megan Whalen Turner's Thick as Thieves , which also features a strong friendship between two men who ought not to be friends, one of whom is a slave, and a long journey. There's no resemblance otherwise, but I'll probably mentally shelve both as books about friendship. The Eagle of the Ninth falters only in depicting the romantic relationship between Marcus and his neighbor Cottia, which requires a bit of filling in the blanks.

But the ending is deeply satisfying, with view spoiler [Marcus realizing he loves Britain, and Esca becoming a Roman citizen in recognition of his efforts in retrieving the Eagle hide spoiler ] , and I'm certain I will read this book again. View all 4 comments. Feb 03, Angela R. I loved Esca best but Marcus was amazing and realistic, also. Their relationship is definitely a fictional favorite for me. What a great addition! I did see view spoiler [ Cottia and Marcus hide spoiler ] coming and while it felt a smidge rushed to the end, it was nice.

View all 28 comments. Numerous authors have exploited our lack of certain knowledge to speculate about what might have happened — from getting transported to alternate worlds Codex Alera series to less fantastical versions The Last Legion , including this novel. Alas, historians are notoriously unromantic at least modern ones and demand annoying things like evidence, and the latest evidence would seem to indicate that the Ninth was destroyed in either Judaea or Parthia in the s and not reconstituted.

If I had read The Eagle of the Ninth when I was 13 years old and still blinded by romantic depictions of the Roman Empire fostered by films watched in history class and TV movies like Masada , I would have really liked this book and given it four stars. And only a moderately enthusiastic three. Sutcliff recreates 2nd century Roman Britain quite well but her prose style left me cold and uninvolved.

Marcus is the son of the man who commanded the First Cohort of the IX Hispana; Esca is the son of a Brigantian chieftain who fought that legion. The recent film adaptation, The Eagle , takes a more realistic perspective on their friendship though not all that much better, but it is — I think — truer , especially in a scene where Marcus berates Esca for withholding information from him.

There are also too many fortuitous coincidences to make me entirely happy with the story. PS - Lord, I feel so cynical rereading this before I posted. I want to stress that this is a good story taken just by itself. Don't be put off by my own difficulties with the text - I read too much: I love it when authors take a real life mystery or two and try to provide a plausible explanation. This one is about the unknown fate of Rome's Ninth Legion that marched to Britain and was never heard of again. So having my curiosity piqued with this mystery and adding to that Sutcliff's easy narrative and absorbing story-line, it's no wonder I was quickly pulled into the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and was deeply satisfied with the characters and the adventure! If you're looking for a book to I love it when authors take a real life mystery or two and try to provide a plausible explanation.

If you're looking for a book to offer your boys or a great family read-aloud, here you go! And as a side note, I don't remember having ever so seamlessly gone from the first book in a series to the second with so little time in between. It was mere seconds - I just couldn't wait! Some native men are seen not fully clothed. Mentions the Druids in passing. The Roman gods are referenced and prayed to a few times. Mentions a woman that committed suicide. I listened to the audio version of this book so this Cleanliness Report is not as thoroughly detailed as other reports are.

I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. Jan 27, Victoria Lynn rated it really liked it. That being said, I enjoyed this greatly the first 5 times I read it. This time through felt a bit slow as I wanted to hit the highlights going through, so it did feel like it lagged a bit at times. This was only because I've read it so many times! D If you haven't read this yet, I definitely recommend it! View all 93 comments. Dec 12, Carmen rated it it was amazing.

The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff In Rosemary Sutcliff's books the history of Britain comes alive through sensuous descriptions of luscious forests and ragged mountains, and characters so deeply imagined that linger in your mind after the book has ended, like childhood friends untouched by time and the drudgery of life. The people Rosemary Sutcliff's creates are imbued with the beliefs of their own time.

And so it is that Marcus, the young centurion protagonist of The Eagle of the Ninth, pay tribute to Luth, the sun god, while the pagan tribes of Northern Britain worship gods that take animal shape in the night of the horn moon and believe the golden eagle the Roman legions carry in their standard is the Roman god.

Rereading: Rosemary Sutcliff's The Eagle of the Ninth | Books | The Guardian

At the beginning of The Eagle of the Ninth, Marcus, following in the steps of his father supposed dead when his legion disappeared ten years past in northern Britain has given his oath to Mithras and taken command of his first cohort in the southern part of the island. Marcus dreams of a legion of his own and of an early retirement to a farm in the Etruscan hills that once belonged to his family.

During his long and painful recovery, Marcus hears rumors that the Roman eagle from his father lost legion is being worshipped by one of the pagan tribes up in the north. All through the summer, they crisscross the wild regions beyond the wall that keeps the untamed tribes from the Roman world in search of the eagle. Rosemary Sutcliff's takes her time in creating her characters and their world. As a result The Eagle of the Ninth is not the fast paced adventure you find in an action movie, but a well crafted and realistic tale that is, at the end, much more satisfying.

In my mind, a masterpiece. Quotes from The Eagle of the Ninth He stood for a while in the bothy doorway, ears stretched for any sound to break the silence of the mountains, but heard only the wet whisper of falling water where the swift stream came tumbling into the loch and a long while later, the belling of a stag.

Start your free trial. Find showtimes, watch trailers, browse photos, track your Watchlist and rate your favorite movies and TV shows on your phone or tablet! Enjoy unlimited streaming on Prime Video. There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Full Cast and Crew. In Britannia in , a young Roman officer named Marcus Flavius Aquila and his freed slave Esca search for the Ninth Legion's gold eagle standard, which vanished with the legion 13 years earlier.

DVD of the Week. Peplum Paradise Part 7: Historical and Fantasy TV Dramas. TV series to try. Share this Rating Title: The Eagle of the Ninth — 8. Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Edit Cast Series cast summary: Marcus Flavius Aquila 6 episodes, Christian Rodska A History of Roman Britain Third, extensively revised ed.

Works by Rosemary Sutcliff. The Chronicles of Robin Hood Oxford, , illus. Walter Hodges The Armourer's House illus. Walter Hodges Brother Dusty-Feet , illus. Walter Hodges Simon , illus. Richard Kennedy Outcast , illus. Richard Kennedy Warrior Scarlet , illus. Charles Keeping Knight's Fee , illus. Charles Keeping Bridge Builders , illus. Charles Keeping The Hound of Ulster , illus. Charles Keeping The Chief's Daughter , illus. Victor Ambrus The Witch's Brat , illus.

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