⇒ Download The Secret History A Novel of Empress Theodora Stephanie Thornton 9780451417787 Books

The Secret History A Novel of Empress Theodora Stephanie Thornton 9780451417787 Books

Download As PDF : The Secret History A Novel of Empress Theodora Stephanie Thornton 9780451417787 Books

The Secret History A Novel of Empress Theodora Stephanie Thornton 9780451417787 Books

As far as historical fiction goes, this book was mildly entertaining. I think the author's world-building prose was satisfactory, but where she really fell flat was in her characters. Theodora herself was underwhelming, not just as a representation of the actual woman but also as a protagonist. I just didn't believe in her and I didn't really believe her. I think the author confused passion with insanity. She is repeatedly referred to as this force by her peers and enemies, but she wasn't a force so much as she was a brat, throwing tantrums and things, and asking questions afterward, which makes for a terrible politician (yet apparently in life she was a rather good politician). Her scenes were largely contrived and didn't successfully serve to do her any real justice as a character. Without giving away spoilers, the drama with her son is stretched a bit far, in too many directions. Supporting characters are there, then suddenly disappear, then suddenly reappear, and they all seem to be mirror images of one another. Justinian is a little too perfect, and their love story isn't so developed as it could have been.

The politics are likewise handled sloppily and failed to give me the impression that Theodora (or Justinian) is as great and powerful a woman as I'm supposed to believe. But I think what this book suffers from the most is pacing and trying to fill a chronological timeline that spans Theodora's entire life, literally up to the moment she dies. That's what makes the characters problematic, because you have to remember that parts of the book cover like 20 years. But that isn't apparent when one is actually reading from page to page. You also won't learn much about Theodora that you can't get from Wikipedia, which is probably the biggest criticism I have about this book.


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The Secret History A Novel of Empress Theodora Stephanie Thornton 9780451417787 Books Reviews

Author Stephanie Thornton does not disappoint as her book The Secret History A Novel of Empress Theodora is an outstanding novel. The author tells of the rise of a poor girl to Empress Theodora. Along the way the author has created enough twists and turns to keep you guessing who did what when. I will admit the beginning of the book was a bit slow to start but by the end of the book the plot is zipping along with intrigue and plot twists.

At the end of the book she includes sources the reader can explore to learn more about Emperor Justin and his wife Empress Theodora.

Highly recommend.
I looked forward to reading this book because I have lived in Istanbul and I love learning about that magnificant city. But once I opened the pages of "The Secret History," I didn't just learn about Theodora's time - I was transported right back into it.

This book was extremely well written and well researched, with lots of colorful and accurate historical detail, but the most gripping part of the book was the painting of the characters themselves. It made me fall completely love with Theodora and Justinian - and their story.

The book begins with Theodora as a young girl on the day of her father's death. It is a story of survival in a cruel and often brutal time in history. Theodora does what she must to live, although not all her decisions are good ones. She becomes an actress and a prostitute, bears two children out of wedlock, and travels much of the ancient world before she really begins to figure out who she is and what she wants, and that is when Justinian walks into her life.

The story of Justinian and Theodora is first and foremost a beautiful and touching love story. It is set against a back drop of war, blood, revenge, and intrigue, but it is the love story between these two strong and interesting people that shines through.

I've seen many of the places in this book. I've been in the dark quiet of Justinian's Basilica, stared in amazement at the majesty of the Hagia Sophia, and walked the same streets Theodora once walked, but I never felt connected to her before. Stephanie Thorton managed to take what was once, to me, a flat mosaic potrait of a woman made of glittering stones and breathe life into it. She brought Theodora and Justinian back to life, if only for a few short pages. "The Secret History" is the tale of time that may have been forgotten, but it is about two people who are unforgettable.
This was a fantastically engaging book about Emperor Justinian's wife Theodora. Before reading the book, I vaguely remembered reading about Theodora in my high school world history class. All I could recollect was that she was supposedly a prostitute and/or a dancer in a circus--and that was it.

In this gripping book, Stephanie Thornton sheds a more multidimensional light on Theodora's unconventional life and meticulously traces her rags-to-riches story against the backdrop of Byzantine life. From Theodora's start as a struggling stage actress, to her efforts to rise above her poverty, to her marriage to Justinian and beyond, I found myself enthralled by this strong, determined woman and her ability to turn her life around. Her relationship with Justinian was also quite fascinating, as theirs was a marriage of mutual attraction and love. Far from being simply a "decorative" empress, Theodora--never content to sit in the background--actively ruled alongside Justinian. While the story had its dark moments, I found it inspirational in other parts--and true to the historical background. I would designate this a must-read for historical fiction fans.
As far as historical fiction goes, this book was mildly entertaining. I think the author's world-building prose was satisfactory, but where she really fell flat was in her characters. Theodora herself was underwhelming, not just as a representation of the actual woman but also as a protagonist. I just didn't believe in her and I didn't really believe her. I think the author confused passion with insanity. She is repeatedly referred to as this force by her peers and enemies, but she wasn't a force so much as she was a brat, throwing tantrums and things, and asking questions afterward, which makes for a terrible politician (yet apparently in life she was a rather good politician). Her scenes were largely contrived and didn't successfully serve to do her any real justice as a character. Without giving away spoilers, the drama with her son is stretched a bit far, in too many directions. Supporting characters are there, then suddenly disappear, then suddenly reappear, and they all seem to be mirror images of one another. Justinian is a little too perfect, and their love story isn't so developed as it could have been.

The politics are likewise handled sloppily and failed to give me the impression that Theodora (or Justinian) is as great and powerful a woman as I'm supposed to believe. But I think what this book suffers from the most is pacing and trying to fill a chronological timeline that spans Theodora's entire life, literally up to the moment she dies. That's what makes the characters problematic, because you have to remember that parts of the book cover like 20 years. But that isn't apparent when one is actually reading from page to page. You also won't learn much about Theodora that you can't get from Wikipedia, which is probably the biggest criticism I have about this book.