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The Purple Shroud (2012)

par Stella Duffy

Autres auteurs: Voir la section autres auteur(e)s.

Séries: Empress Theodora (2)

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786340,735 (3.5)11
Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore, Stella Duffy's chronicle of this amazing woman's early years, delighted readers with its exquisite blend of historical detail and vivid storytelling. Now, The Purple Shroud chronicles Theodora at the height of her power, bringing the ancient world alive in another unforgettable, epic saga. Theodora and Justinian have been crowned Emperor and Empress, but ruling an empire is no easy task. The two factions of Christianity are still battling for dogmatic supremacy, the Empire's borders are not secure, and Theodora worries about the ambitions of Justinian's two best generals. But the most pressing concern is close to home: Constantinople's two factions, the Blues and the Greens, are beginning to unite in their unhappiness with rising taxes. When that unhappiness spills over into all-out violence, thousands are killed (including someone very close to Theodora) and many of the City's landmarks are destroyed, including Theodora's beloved Hagia Sophia. In the aftermath of the riots, Theodora guides Justinian in gaining back the love and trust of the people, her unerring instinct for what the people want proving invaluable. Justinian promises to rebuild the Hagia Sophia to be even more spectacular than before. Theodora comes to realize that being the Augusta is simply another role she must play, though the stakes are much higher and there is no offstage. It's a role she was born to play.… (plus d'informations)
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» Voir aussi les 11 mentions

Affichage de 1-5 de 6 (suivant | tout afficher)
This book works well as a standalone. Now, I regret not reading the first in this two book historical fiction biography. I would appreciated a bibliography from which Stella Duffy drew the inspiration from. When a person lived so long ago, I am squemish about accepting what they said. It is fictional but I add that caution.

I remember reading about her in college World History 101. Much of what was written in that textbook goes along with her basic portrait. I did enjoy the book but I wish I had read the other book first. She must have been incredibly intellent and wise woman and I admire her courage for looking out for other women. I do not doubt that Theodora respected and loved Justiniam deeply and that encouraged him to change the law forbad him to marry an actress with known past.

I encourage you to read the books in order and be amazed at how Theodora adapted to her new role. ( )
  Carolee888 | Oct 10, 2022 |
This sequel to Theodora's life is about Theodora supporting her husband the Emperor, playing the part of the Empress, her friends and her intrigues was an easy and entertaining read. ( )
  mari_reads | Oct 18, 2015 |
3.5 stars. There aren't a lot of books set in the sixth century, period, let alone one set in what we'd now call the Middle East but was then considered part of Rome, Byzantium/Constantinople. Nor books where the heroine is past her youth. Realizing, now, that the author had written an earlier book about Empress Theodora's earlier life, but since I haven't yet read that, I come to this one as if it was a stand-alone.

For the most part, I liked it very much, and it did work as a stand-alone. For some readers, the portrayal of a heroine as unfaithful to a husband she loved is a deal-breaker; IMO, it made her more human and flawed. Sometimes she was a sympathetic character; other times she did some really cruel things, or turned her back while they were done on her behalf. She would've been a loyal friend but a deadly enemy. The depiction of the Nika riots, the construction of the Hagia Sophia church, and especially the bubonic plague and dealing with the dead bodies... all horrifying and very real.

Other parts felt more like telling than showing; while most of it was told from Theodora's POV, there were occasionally slips into other characters' POV's. That's something that slowed me at the beginning but either they went away or I got so wrapped up in the tale they became invisible.

My biggest gripe is there wasn't any one thing I could identify that Theodora wanted and was trying to get throughout the book. It's more of a historical biography, hitting all the known facts in the real woman's life, with some embellishment. There were many little goals, but no big overriding one. I read on because I wanted to discover what happened next in Theodora's life, and I don't mind character-driven novels, but if you prefer strong plots, you might not care for this.

I loved the allegory of the Purple Shroud, which in many ways Theodora wore throughout her time as Empress, the real, living woman being "buried" beneath the demands of wearing the purple. I also really liked the way there was real love between Theodora and Justinian, despite the difference in age; it makes for a very unconventional love story. ( )
  writerbeverly | May 1, 2014 |
This is historical fiction detailing the lies of Theodora and Justinian, Emperor and Empress of Rome. The two worked together throughout their rein to bring prosperity and religious unity to their kingdom. Through riots, plague and political intrigue, the two ruled together, something unprecedented at the time.

Overall, I thought the book was well written. The characters were well balanced and seemed to show growth and progress. At times the book was a bit boring and it seemed a bit long. However, I knew nothing about these rulers before reading the book and am glad I picked it up. ( )
  JanaRose1 | Nov 19, 2012 |
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Nom de l'auteurRôleType d'auteurŒuvre ?Statut
Stella Duffyauteur principaltoutes les éditionscalculé
Lee, JulianaConcepteur de la couvertureauteur secondairequelques éditionsconfirmé

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In memory of my sister-in-law Leah Silas
1957-2011
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Before the Purple . . .

Born in AD 500, Theodora began life in Constantinople as a dancer, an acrobat, and - as with many who earned their living onstage and off - a sometime courtesan.
First a silk robe, quiet and gentle against her skin.
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Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore, Stella Duffy's chronicle of this amazing woman's early years, delighted readers with its exquisite blend of historical detail and vivid storytelling. Now, The Purple Shroud chronicles Theodora at the height of her power, bringing the ancient world alive in another unforgettable, epic saga. Theodora and Justinian have been crowned Emperor and Empress, but ruling an empire is no easy task. The two factions of Christianity are still battling for dogmatic supremacy, the Empire's borders are not secure, and Theodora worries about the ambitions of Justinian's two best generals. But the most pressing concern is close to home: Constantinople's two factions, the Blues and the Greens, are beginning to unite in their unhappiness with rising taxes. When that unhappiness spills over into all-out violence, thousands are killed (including someone very close to Theodora) and many of the City's landmarks are destroyed, including Theodora's beloved Hagia Sophia. In the aftermath of the riots, Theodora guides Justinian in gaining back the love and trust of the people, her unerring instinct for what the people want proving invaluable. Justinian promises to rebuild the Hagia Sophia to be even more spectacular than before. Theodora comes to realize that being the Augusta is simply another role she must play, though the stakes are much higher and there is no offstage. It's a role she was born to play.

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