Let These Things Be Written

LONGLISTED: Exeter Novel Prize Cast out for a crime A holy hermit his only protector Seven-year-old Wilfrid lives a privileged life as the eldest son of the warmaster to the King of Northumbria. But his parents don't seem to love him and his life is turned upside down when he is given away to the monks of the island monastery of Lindisfarne. There he is taken under the wing of Cuthbert, the community's charismatic prior, who tries to cure him of the demons that torment him. But everywhere the boy goes, he seems to bring ill-fortune in his wake: to Fergus, drowned in the freezing North Sea, or to Sigi, his brother, who is struck down by plague when Wilfrid finds his way back home. As he comes of age and major events erupt all around him - with Northumbria at war with the Picts, religious schisms raging and the queen taking desperate measures to conceive a son - Wilfrid gradually pieces together his own family history, and the ageing Cuthbert's part in it. An evocative tale of seventh-century religious and political life offers some startlingly modern lessons about trauma and guilt.

About the Author :
Fiona Whyte has a PhD in creative writing from University College, Cork. Her short fiction has appeared in a wide variety of anthologies. Let These Things Be Written, which was longlisted for the Exeter Novel Prize, is her debut novel.

Review :
'An incredibly readable account of a fascinating era; a perfect blend of research and storytelling' Irish Examiner ‘Against a background of grief and pain, love and loss, adversity and disaster, Wilfrid struggles to find his purpose. Whyte tells his story lovingly and with attention to detail – sometimes searingly so. At one point he turns to coping mechanisms that are so painfully self-destructive that I nearly cried – it is a heartrending piece of work’ Catholic Herald ‘Fiona Whyte’s vivid narrative of the intersection of faith, war and politics in seventh-century Northumbria speaks directly to contemporary preoccupations about the transcending of trauma and guilt. I enjoyed it enormously and recommend it wholeheartedly’ Sarah Foot, Church Times ‘An incredibly readable account of a fascinating era; a perfect blend of research and storytelling’ Irish Examiner ‘Whyte brings an era to life to revive a man who never really died. She cleverly portrays inner lives, as witness to trauma and anxiety. Recommended for those interested in the mindset of the Anglo-Saxon era, the influence of religion on mental health, and redemption’ Historical Novel Society ‘An intriguing, interesting, beautifully written retelling of the story of St Cuthbert. It’s authentic but compelling as well: you keep wanting to turn the pages’ Teresa Quinn, Liffey Sound FM'A captivating tale woven from wind and waves, from the whispers of God and of demons, from the prayers of saints and the power of kings, this novel shines' - Hilary Taylor author of Sea Defences 'With this lyrical blend of scholarship and imagination, Fiona Whyte has conjured a story of immense depth and power, and helps to lift the veil on a dark and mysterious period of the early medieval Christian world' Peter Benson, winner of the Somerset Maugham Award 'The coming of age of a seventh-century monk may seem like distant emotional territory but Let These Things Be Written thrums with urgent life while tackling the big themes of belief and doubt. Like the best historical fiction, the novel uncannily chimes with contemporary experiences and Fiona Whyte's elegant, stately prose makes it an unalloyed joy to read' Mary Morrissy, winner of the Hennessy Award 'Original, clear-eyed and moving, Let These Things Be Written holds the reader from the very beginning and never misses a beat' Eibhear Walshe, author of The Diary of Mary Travers 'Authentic, immersive, compelling - as the novel neared its ending, I read it more slowly, reluctant to be parted from this vividly recreated world' Martina Devlin author of The House Where it Happened 'A compelling and vividly imagined novel of power and faith, and the demons and angels which follow us through the centuries. Whyte's novel recreates a lost age and brings its people, places, dangers and glories to thrilling life on the page' Imogen Robertson, author of the Crowther & Westerman series 'Informed by thorough research and rich with empathy, Whyte creates a lively, tender and clear-eyed portrait of the complex relationship between St Cuthbert and his anonymous hagiographer. Told in pared-back prose, studded with bright gems of lyricism and insight, Let These Things Be Written is assured, intelligent and evocative historical fiction' Robyn Cadwallader, author of The Anchoress