Plot Summary

The Lantern Bearers

Rosemary Sutcliff
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The Lantern Bearers

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1959

Book Brief

Rosemary Sutcliff

The Lantern Bearers

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1959
Book Details
Pages

236

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Britain • 5th Century

Publication Year

1959

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

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Super Short Summary

In The Lantern Bearers, Rosemary Sutcliff presents a young Roman soldier named Aquila as the Roman legions leave Britain. Set during the fall of Roman Britain, the story follows Aquila’s struggles and transformation amid historical upheaval, personal loss, and the search for identity in a changing world.

Mysterious

Contemplative

Melancholic

Adventurous

Dark

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Rosemary Sutcliff’s The Lantern Bearers is celebrated for its evocative prose and historical depth, immersing readers in post-Roman Britain. Critics admire the rich character development and thematic complexity. Some note a slower pace and dense historical context, which may challenge less patient readers. Overall, it is praised as a captivating and thoughtful narrative.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Lantern Bearers?

Fans of historical fiction will relish The Lantern Bearers by Rosemary Sutcliff, which appeals to readers of Cornwell's The Last Kingdom and Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia. It’s perfect for those intrigued by post-Roman Britain and resonant narratives of courage, identity, and resilience.

Book Details
Pages

236

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Britain • 5th Century

Publication Year

1959

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

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