Full Description
'Deeply felt and expertly researched, "Beyond the Black Gate" is an
immersive, heart-racing story of love and survival in a fracturing, vividly
realised, end of empire world.' Howard
Cunnell, author of The Painter's
Friend
In
the year 409 the Roman Empire is collapsing. A young woman called Nehtan hides
her enslaved status when she is rescued in Gaul by a resentful Patrician.
Thrown together on a dangerous odyssey through a land devastated by invading
barbarians, the two start to fall in love, despite the vast gulf between them.
However, a brutalised member of the cavalry escort has recognised the fugitive
slave and will do anything to possess her in body and soul.
'Beyond the Black Gate' is a compelling story of journeys from
trauma towards spiritual healing, set during a time of disintegrating identity
and authority, with echoes of contemporary social crisis and migrant
suffering.
'Unique
and intriguing ... with a terrific richness of description. It's quite shocking
in places and Nehtan makes for a strong and memorable protagonist.'
Gabriel Gbademosi, author of 'Vauxhall'
'Mark Hudson's book conjures up with uncanny intensity the
collapsing world of the Roman Empire to fashion a story that is by turns deeply
strange, gripping and moving.' Roger
Crowley, author of 'Empires of
the Sea'
'The
characters leap from the page. Mark Hudson pulls off the difficult trick of
making his dramatis personae both true to their historical context and
appealing for the modern reader. I was enthralled by them, and the dramatic arc
of the story, from start to finish.'
Simon Acland, author of 'The Waste Land'
'I
was gripped... A fascinating and vivid depiction of the Empire crumbling under
internal and external stress, when Christianity offers the only rock for the
poor to cling to.' Peter Popham, author
of 'India Be Damned'
