Set in first century Britain, Tim Pears Run to the Western Shore is an evocative story of a journey. Two young people - Olwen, daughter of a tribal leader, and Quintus, a slave from Ephesus- are fleeing the Romans and travel on foot across Wales. Olwen was given to the Roman governor in marriage but she escapes, taking Quintus with her. We gradually learn their stories as they walk through the landscape. Beautifully read by Ciaran Saward, the novel is most remarkable for the gorgeous writing about nature and the sweet relationship between the two main characters.

Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Ciaran Saward
Content: 5 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars

Run to the Western Shore is a beautifully narrated story about Olwen and Quintus.

Britain, AD 75. Olwen is a fierce warrior. Her father gave her away for marriage as part of a peace treaty. Quintus is a Roman slave, far from home. Olwen decides to run away and takes Quintus with her. A tense story about a young couple that, at first glance, don’t have anything in common. On the journey, they see many wonders of nature. Especially Quintus observes them with fascination. Along the way, they visit a druid and his apprentice. They also meet an unusual couple who live in the forest.

I didn’t know what to expect, but was drawn to the beautiful cover. Now I’m glad I gave this audiobook a chance because this historical fiction novel charmed me with its beautiful prose and narration.

Thanks to Bolinda Audio for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

Quintus, long exiled from his people, has travelled great odysseys in the retinue of a powerful Roman. Though a citizen of nowhere, is a man of reason, fluent in many languages. Olwen, imperious tribal royalty, is rooted in her native land – a volatile warrior, fiercely attached to the natural world.
Regrettably I was unable to finish this audiobook before it expired on Netgalley bookshelf, however I did read enough to offer an opinion on the book. Although the story relates to the principal characters of Quintus and Olwen, the writing provides an excellent picture of life in Britain under Roman occupation in the first century. The author has done his research and creates a believable narrative of the period. I liked the narrator, I was immersed in the story. I thank Netgalley and the publishers for an advance copy of Run to the Western Shore.

Set in first century Britain, Run to the Western Shore is the story of two young people seeking to escape the Roman occupation. I encountered the story as a Bolinda audiobook, sympathetically read by Ciaran Saward.

Unlike a lot of fiction set in Roman Britain, it’s not action-packed. When Olwen, the daughter of a British chieftain, is given in marriage to Frontinus, the Roman governor of Britannia, she runs off with Quintus, a Greek slave in the governor’s entourage – and that’s pretty much a summary of the plot.

That’s by no means a criticism, however, because the focus of the novel is less on action and more on relationships: the relationship between Olwen and Quintus, the relationship between each of them and the landscape through which they flee, and the relationship between the Roman imperial machine and the society it seeks to conquer and subdue.

Olwen and Quintus come from very different worlds but are thrown together by immediate mutual attraction. In making a bid for freedom, they know the odds against success, and the terrible fate that awaits them if caught. With this knowledge and with the constant necessity of spending each day running through the countryside trying to cover their tracks, they must get to know each other. That process of understanding is carefully and movingly conveyed by Tim Pears and takes place against a backdrop of detailed observation of nature.

I found the story completely gripping and was sorry when it was over.

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

Run To The Western Shore
Tim Pears

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I have to admit that I was instantly drawn to this book because of its stunning front cover. On first view, it looks just like a gorgeous landscape, but on studying it more, you notice all the different elements combined to make the overall - promises of a beautiful Celtic tale of folklore perhaps?

Set in Britain in 79ad, when the Romans dominated - we see our two main characters fleeing from their relative prisons.
Olwen, forced to marry by her Celtic chief father and young slave, Quintus, both ready to take risks for their freedom.

As the two travel, they share stories and histories with each other - and their lives and destinies become entwined. I loved hearing their stories and the taking in turns to sha and learn more about each other's cultures as well as personal lives

This is a beautifully written story of survival and love and acceptance.
With characters that contrast, but work so well together.
As we travel with them, it is easy to become immersed in their journey and the descriptive writing.

I was quite shocked by the ending, but don't want to give any spoilers - you need to read this one to find out what happens.

Quite a short book that packs a lot in.

*I also listened to this one as an audio book and thought the narrator was brilliant!*


💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕