Suzanne M. Wolfe

An amazing beautifully written novel-- the character-driven fictional reminiscences of the longtime unnamed concubine of Augustine. He is known to posterity as Blessed or St. Augustine, the famous bishop of Hippo in North Africa, before he answered his call to the spiritual life. X is a woman "lost to history"; the author has conceived a perfectly plausible persona for her. She is the daughter of a poor mosaic-maker, travelling with her father and helping him in his trade. She meets the show more young student, Augustine, and in a church for which her father has made mosaics, they pledge life together and eternal faithfulness to each other. The novel follows her throughout her life with him in North Africa, Rome, and Milan and afterwards she gives him up by returning by herself to North Africa, not standing in his way of his professional advancement. The novel explores the nature of love in its many guises-- love of sweetheart, father, of son, of dear friends and of loss and heartbreak.

A stunning novel, one I am glad to have read and will never forget. I knew the very basic story, since I've read Augustine's [Confessions] but often my eyes would mist over with tears and I'd have to stop temporarily, get my breath, use tissue after tissue and continue. The characters were so REAL and the writing so gorgeous. I entered fully into the story and could anguish with them. The pear/pear tree seemed to me to symbolize: first, satisfying physical hunger; then Monica's dream expressed Augustine's hunger for complete peace in his life. The final pear tree in the bishop's courtyard where she sits narrating her life's story tells us that he has found what he's looking for. show less

"They think endurance is wisdom and perhaps that is so, but it is not the wisdom of men but of women, for though we live longer, history does not remember us and so we are a mystery to each generation."

In The Confessions of X, author Suzanne M. Wolfe lyrically brings to life the mystery of a woman "lost to history," the one time concubine of a bishop of the Church, Augustine of Hippo.

I think it's fair to point out early that I'm not crazy about one book blurb's description of this novel's show more central relationship as an "affair," as that can connote something scandalous or unlawful, and this book isn't about some seamy liaison. I suppose I should also mention that I'm puzzled by different blurbs saying Augustine is "heir to a fortune," as he, being the youngest of his family, doesn't stand to inherit anything and must make his own living.

Anyhow, as far as what this beautiful novel is, it's a look at some of the complexities and ironies of life and love as seen through the eyes of a woman of low societal standing, attached to a man of a higher class. As a lover of language, I was drawn in immediately by the author's fluid style, pleased to find an example of how poetry in prose still lives. Sure, there could be more no-nonsense or pedestrian ways of just getting to the point and telling us what happens, but much of this story's singularity and effectiveness would then be lost.

I do hesitate in calling this novel Christian Fiction, only because the label may give many fellow readers the expectation that the key characters must be or become Christians if the story is to have a sacred or redemptive quality, especially considering Saint Augustine. But I find this novel utterly redemptive in that it gives a voice to one lost and nameless, and even an "insignificant" life given by God is therefore made precious.
_________________
BookLook Bloggers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. show less

One of Queen Elizabeth's ladies-in-waiting has been murdered and set on display. With the murderer throwing the palace into chaos, Queen Elizabeth brings in one of her famous spies, Nicholas Holt to quickly find the killer. However, the public feels that the Jews are to blame and when another murder follows, suspicions and fear quickly arise.

As a lover of all things Tudor, I couldn't resist a murder mystery set in Queen Elizabeth's court. I immediately enjoyed the way that Queen Elizabeth is show more portrayed by Suzanne M. Wolfe. This Elizabeth is authentic, using salty speech and acute intelligence, glamorous in style, but still very wary of threats surrounding her. Nicholas Holt and his companion, Hector the wolfhound are an amazing spy duo. Nick's skill set allows the reader into the many different sections of England. Nick is friends with Eli and Rivkah, Jewish doctors, setting the tone for the religious turmoil at the time and interviews many servants in Whitehall, exposing the many people and tasks they do to keep the castle running. Overall, this mystery kept me on my toes and included in-depth historical detail of the later parts of Queen Elizabeth's reign.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. show less

Set in 1585 at the court of Elizabeth 1 Nicholas Holt, spy and the younger brother of the Earl of Blackwell, is given the task of discovering the murderer of one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting. But this is just the start.
A very enjoyable well-written mystery and the story is certainly helped by its likeable characters. A good solid start to what I presume will be a series. Setting the scene of Elizabethan England well.
A Netalley Book