Der Leuchtturm von Alexandria. (original 1986; edition 1998)

So few historical novels are set in the Byzantine empire - and this proves more should be. Of interest to anyone who likes medicine and the later Romans. Or just strong women coming of age stories. ( )

I probably love this more than it deserves so feel torn how I should rate it. Is this a deathless historical classic such as Gone With the Wind, Name of the Rose or I, Claudius? No. Neither its style nor an ability to place me in a foreign, alien mindset places it in five star territory. Is this book and are Bradshaw's works in general great favorites I out and out love? You betcha.

Charis, the heroine and narrator of the tale is arguably too modern in her outlook--but it doesn't stop me from loving this story--one of those great "comfort reads" because you can immerse yourself in the narrative and love the characters. Charis is a woman who disguises herself as a eunuch so she can study medicine in the Alexandria of the late Roman Empire in the 370s. Besides the appeal of her story, it's interesting to have a look at this period, one still cosmopolitan and rich in learning, but on the brink of a dark age.

I own and enjoy other Bradshaw novels, such as Hawk of May (Athurian), Island of Ghosts (Roman Britain) and The Wolf Hunt (Medieval France, but more historical fantasy than historical fiction). ( )

This is and probably always will be one of my "desert island" books. Worthy of an annual read, the story begins in early-Christian era Greece. Charis, a young Ephesian noblewoman, resists an arranged marriage to a hateful man who has power over her father. She has always wanted to be a doctor. With the help of her older brother and nurse, she cuts her hair, pretends to be a eunuch, and runs off to Alexandria to study medicine. Taken under the wing of a Jewish doctor, she acquires knowledge and notoriety, ultimately becoming private physician to Archbishop Athanasios. This gets her into trouble with the Roman authorities and she is sent to the wilds to be an army doctor. Charis/Chariton just can't stay out of trouble, though.

Bradshaw's painstaking historical research does not get in the way of a wonderful read. The characters are all real people behaving as real people do, with their prejudices and problems. Charis is not perfect, but she is entirely likable--hence my get together with her every year! Men, don't let the female protagonist scare you away--there's plenty here for you, too.

I introduced this book to my daughter when she was 12 years old, home with strep throat. An early teen with a good reading level can easily handle it. Just be prepared to buy another copy--my now-grown daughter had to have her own copy at college so she, too, could read it annually. ( )

The story begins in 371 AD and is told in first person by Charis of Epheseus, a young noblewoman from a wealthy family. Charis is a strong, intelligent character and chafes at women's traditional roles. In order to escape marriage to a brutal Roman official, Charis (now called Chariton) disguises herself as a eunuch and flees to Alexandria where she can pursue her dream to study the Hippocratic method of medicine at the famous Museum and become a physician.

This book is a highly entertaining adventure filled with political intrigue, early Christian theology, and little bit of romance near the end. This is a gender disguise novel that was very credible. As a woman one of the questions that I always pops in my head when reading these types of stories is "What does she do about her period?" :) This issue was addressed several times and I found it very interesting and believable. The accounts of medicines, diseases, treatments, food, clothing, slavery, and Roman politics and society are told in lively detail and was fascinating. Bradshaw is a classics scholar and she crams in many historical characters but it never seemed forced. My greatest difficulty was trying to decipher all the Greek and Latin names which all started to sound alike sometimes (e.g. Adamantios, Athanaric, Athanaricus, Athanasios, Amalberga, Alaric, Thorion, Theodoros, Theogenes, Theophilia, etc.)

Chariton meets agent Athanaric and saves his life. Then Athanaric saves her life when she gets involved in dangerous church politics and is forced to flee Alexandria. Still maintaining her disguise she accepts the position of chief physician at a remote army post in Thrace. Eventually, she is captured by the Goths and her gender is revealed. But as their prisoner she continues to care for the sick and wounded until Athanaric rescues her. In the final pages even though they learn of the disastrous battle at Hadrianopolis, the book ends happily when they admit their love for each other and make future plans.

The politics in Alexandria were a bit heavy, but when Chariton is posted to Thrace the book really gets lively and I had a hard time putting it down and read late into the night. This was a great historical adventure story and I recommend it to all history buffs like me. (Grade: B+) ( )

Charis, a well-born daughter of the eastern Roman Empire, is fascinated by medicine. To escape an unwanted marriage, she disguises herself as a eunuch and goes to Alexandria to become a doctor.

A wonderfully written historical novel. ( )