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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
First book by Gillian Bradshaw that I read.
There's something about Bradshaw novels that calm me.
Chariton of Ephesus. This is her story, the girl who had to lie about her identity just to pursue her life dream. We all know the story. Girls were given little to no opportunities to do anything other than marry, and were discouraged from attempting to make their own lives.
(Are you a feminist now?)
Somehow she made it, and risked being discovered by her father. But she made it - against all odds.
There's something about Bradshaw novels that calm me.
Chariton of Ephesus. This is her story, the girl who had to lie about her identity just to pursue her life dream. We all know the story. Girls were given little to no opportunities to do anything other than marry, and were discouraged from attempting to make their own lives.
(Are you a feminist now?)
Somehow she made it, and risked being discovered by her father. But she made it - against all odds.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was just fantastic - my first Gillian Bradshaw, but definitely not my last!
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really enjoyed this! I can tell the author really did her research. The world is so detailed and vivid and consistent. Charis is a great heroine. I called a few of the plot points, but I think the strength of this book is in her growth. The way she seizes her life for herself is admirable, and as she is thrown into precarious/dangerous and new situations, her inner strength and conviction shine through, and it's wonderful to read. Loved reading about her.
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Excellent historical fiction. Suspense and mystery in a time of historical upheaval. A rich dive into this time in history.
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the story of a patrician girl living in Efeso in 371 d.c whose dream is to become a doctor, even if it was not allowed for women.
Her chance to follow her dream arrives when she is forced to marry an undesired suitor: she disguise herself as an eunuch and she leaves for Alessandra, the cultural capital of the empire.
The story follows ten years of her life, the beauty and the decadence of the Roman empire, the poilitics, the religious conflicts, the military camps, the behinning of barbaric invasions.
it's a beautiful portrait of an age, in this book it is give much importance to the description of what it mean to live in that times.
More important it's a story about determination and the importance of standing up for yourself and not letting other people tell you what you be. Charis is a great and belivable character and I enjoyed very much reading about her struggles to become what she wanted to be.
Her chance to follow her dream arrives when she is forced to marry an undesired suitor: she disguise herself as an eunuch and she leaves for Alessandra, the cultural capital of the empire.
The story follows ten years of her life, the beauty and the decadence of the Roman empire, the poilitics, the religious conflicts, the military camps, the behinning of barbaric invasions.
it's a beautiful portrait of an age, in this book it is give much importance to the description of what it mean to live in that times.
More important it's a story about determination and the importance of standing up for yourself and not letting other people tell you what you be. Charis is a great and belivable character and I enjoyed very much reading about her struggles to become what she wanted to be.
I first read this novel in the Eighties, and although I recall really enjoying it, I couldn't recall much of the story.
I loved every aspect of this book (no sappy romance, no sex other than a vague allusion towards the end of the story and no gratuitous violence).
In our modern times, it's difficult to imagine that there was a time in Man's history that people weren't even really aware of the need for boiled water when treating illness and injury.
I loved every aspect of this book (no sappy romance, no sex other than a vague allusion towards the end of the story and no gratuitous violence).
In our modern times, it's difficult to imagine that there was a time in Man's history that people weren't even really aware of the need for boiled water when treating illness and injury.
This is by far one of my favorite historical fiction novels. It follows Charis, a young girl from Ephesus, whose deepest wish is to escape from the role expected of her (marriage to a disgusting nobleman as old as her father for political and monetary gain), and study medicine. She travels throughout the Roman Empire, beginning at Alexandria, and through her we see a fascinating time of history, when Rome is beginning to wane, and the Goths are coming into power.
Charis is an extremely powerful female character, and her story, the challenges and triumphs that she goes through, make this not only a fantastic piece of historical fiction, but also a great look at the struggles a young woman faces in a society determined to tell her that she only has one role and purpose, while she is determined to fulfill her own, chosen destiny. Also, it has a stunning romance, and beautiful writing the whole way through. I highly recommend this book!!
Charis is an extremely powerful female character, and her story, the challenges and triumphs that she goes through, make this not only a fantastic piece of historical fiction, but also a great look at the struggles a young woman faces in a society determined to tell her that she only has one role and purpose, while she is determined to fulfill her own, chosen destiny. Also, it has a stunning romance, and beautiful writing the whole way through. I highly recommend this book!!