The Silver Branch

THE SILVER BRANCH is set in Britain at the time of the Roman occupation, and Johanna Ward is a marvelous guide to that period. Her sharp narration is paced so that the listener can become familiar with the sites and culture of the time. The workings of a Roman outpost and the turmoil of life for the native British people are the stuff of Sutcliff's story. Ward realistically captures the timidity of Justin and the doubts of Flavius as they navigate a world of conniving, brutality, and strong loyalty. The characters of Sutcliff's supporting cast are also individualized through Ward's skill at personifying them. THE SILVER BRANCH brings this historical period alive as it shows the capriciousness that has been a component in the quest for power throughout history. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine